The “Family Village for Orphans” project has been launched as the first initiative in Ramadan by Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The charity project was among thousands of proposals Sheikh Mohammed had received in response to his invitation to the public to submit what they think would be the best initiatives that could be put forward and adopted during the Holy Month of Ramadan. A launch ceremony was held at the Emirates Towers in the presence of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. The Family Village for Orphans aims to create a balanced and stable family atmosphere for the orphaned children who do not have the opportunity to get family care, which is regarded as one of the basic factors for human growth. The village will cater to all the psychological, mental and spiritual needs of children and full-time female “mother” care-takers will provide round-the-clock care. The village will provide state-of-the-art education and sports facilities, full amenities and 24/7 medical care for the children. “Such religious occasions make us closer to orphans, the closest to my heart are the most underprivileged in any community and the most needful for care in any community. These occasions make us show all the love and sympathy to orphans whose existence among us promotes serenity,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “Kindness to orphans contributes to social cohesion in the UAE,” he added, stressing on the need to cater to all the needs of orphans. Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF), a Dubai government department, is taking care of 2,640 minors in the emirate. The ceremony was attended by Minister for Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Abdullah Al Gargawi, Director of Dubai Ruler’s Office Lt-Gen Musabbah Rashid Al Fattan and other senior officials. From: The Gulf today