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Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has launched "The UAE Initiative for Connection with Orphans and Minors", a new initiative to fulfill needs of these segments at multiple levels through a group of alternatives for individuals and families interested in taking part in the effort.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, "Our Emirati society is a global model of compassion and cohesion between all segments. This outstanding trait stems from our commitment to the tolerance of Islam which exhorts us to show mutual compassion and cling to our national and Arab traditions. We want all members of the Emirati society to be part of the ongoing process of building the country. That is why we are always keen to extend support to all segments including orphans and minors."

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added, "Our support today will not be individual. Rather, it will be teamwork in which the Emirati society as a whole is involved in the process based on its love for philanthropy. The Holy Month of Ramadan is an opportunity for all of us to contribute a small part of our time to cater to the needs of orphans and minors and boost their role as an effective segment in our progress. I am confident that the people of UAE will work as one team to build a global model in caring for orphans and minors."

The new initiative continues H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's tradition of launching social and charity initiatives during Ramadan.

The initiative provides three alternatives for young Emiratis willing to contribute towards caring for orphans and minors. These include fraternal connections to provide guidance and good advice, take care of orphaned and minor students for a certain number of class hours, and setting up common interest groups to engage orphans and minors in activities like swimming and biking.

Interested families wishing to take part in the initiative also have three alternatives. First, a family can either regularly host an orphan or a minor for half a day to provide them with a friendly family atmosphere. Second, a group of interested families can regularly meet with a group of orphans or minors at public places. Third, fathers and mothers can volunteer to be guardians of orphans and minors whereby they can contact their schools to follow up their performance.

Elderly people can also contribute to the initiative either through connecting with orphans and minors at senior care homes or acting as grandfathers.

"The UAE Initiative for Connection with Orphans and Minors" also includes a virtual academy to encourage self-development of orphans and minors, and programmes aimed at encouraging orphans and minors to connect with government workplaces as part of their quest for future careers, and fostering their competitiveness and talents by introducing them to national awards, and to nurture their knowledge and innovation.

The academy will work on documenting research and experiences to present a global model of caring for orphans and minors.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid issued directives to set up a higher committee to manage the new initiative.

The committee will be chaired by Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs. The members of the committee are Hussain Al Qamzi, Chairman of the Board of Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, AMAF; Abdullah Al Basti, Director-General of the Executive Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid; Tayeb Al Rayyes, Secretary-General of AMAF; Afra Al Basti, Director-General of Dubai Foundation for Women and Children; and Dr. Hamad Al Hammadi of the Executive Office; in addition to representatives of the Social Affairs Ministry, General Authority of Islamic Affairs And Endowments, AMAF and other departments involved in providing care for orphans and minors.