Egyptian ambassador celebrates Orphans Day

Mar 26, 2017

The Egyptian ambassador to Uganda, Mai Taha Khali, has challenged Ugandans to support orphans and less privileged children to enable them achieve their life time dreams.

Khalil says, orphans need family and community support to grow into useful adults.

"We need to create an enabling environment for the less privileged children where their capabilities are developed and in the end be able to support themselves," Khalil said.

She said this on Saturday at her residence in Kololo, where she hosted over 100 orphans to celebrate the Day of the Orphan.

According Khalil, in Egypt the day is normally celebrated on the first Friday of every April and is dedicated to raise awareness about the needs of orphans.

It is also aimed at putting a smile on orphaned children.

The orphans were drawn from Watoto Church, Dwellings blessings, and Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) among others.

She called for support other than finances like, time, care and love for the orphans.

 hildren with disability from em oundation attend festivities to mark the day of the orphan  under the theme et a hild mile at the residence of mbassador of gypt ai aha halil in ololo arch25 2017                                hoto by ennedy ryema hildren with disability from Gem Foundation attend festivities to mark the day of the orphan , under the theme "Let a Child Smile', at the residence of Ambassador of Egypt Mai Taha Khalil in Kololo, March.25, 2017. Photo by Kennedy Oryema

 


 "Orphans face a lot of hardships starting from losing a parent or both to all the consequences of such a tragic event. On top of financial and material support it is better to give orphans emotional support," she said.

This is the second year; the Egyptian embassy in Uganda is celebrating the orphan's day.

"We want to replicate this good practice in Uganda, we want to make Ugandan orphans smile," Khalil said.

During the celebration the children had a chance to enjoy a folkloric dance group, magicians, acrobats, bouncy castles, and face painting.

"You can decide to visit the orphanages and spend a weekend with the orphans, let them have fun, let them play. This will help them emotionally," Khalil said.

A charity bazaar was also held where Egyptian artifacts and food were sold to raise money to support the orphanages.

"All the proceeds will go to orphanages in Uganda. I call upon everyone to dedicate our attention to the less privileged group," Khalil says.

The day also serves as constant reminder for governments and all segments of the society to focus on the needs of orphans in order to create a healthier society that doesn't neglect vulnerable and deprived communities and groups.

Orphans Day in Egypt falls on the first Friday of April and has become a national celebration since its inauguration in 2004.

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