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Saed Centre marks Arab Orphan Day

By Muath Freij - Apr 12,2014 - Last updated at Apr 12,2014

AMMAN – Gaining access to a proper education and finding accommodation are the main challenges orphans face in Jordan, Lubna Asfour, the director general of Saed (Help) Centre, said on Saturday. 

She made the remark at a meeting held by the Saed Centre to mark the anniversary of Arab Orphan Day. 

One of the main difficulties orphans face after turning 18 is finding a place to stay, Asfour told The Jordan Times at the event, attended by representatives of the charity sector and the Ministry of Social Development.

“After conducting research we also found that this is not the only obstacle orphans encounter,” she added. 

The centre was established recently to provide social and economic empowerment to the elderly and orphans, according to Masoon Shuqair, one of its founders.  

She noted that getting a proper education is also a challenge for orphans. 

“Many of them do not go to school or receive a high degree of education. They have lost their motivation to study, so their supervisors should be encouraging them to learn,” Asfour commented. 

She added that some supervisors who work within the charity sector are not qualified enough. 

Shuqair pointed out that orphans need more support when it comes to the labour market.

“It’s difficult for them to find job opportunities. We want to highlight these issues and try to come up with effective solutions,” she added. 

Asfour noted that education is important because it not only provides students with academic skills, but also shapes their character and helps them interact with others. 

“A lack of education means that these orphans will end up working in inappropriate places and increase child labour figures.” 

Asfour also highlighted a lack of financial support for orphan care centres, of which there are around 35 in the Kingdom. 

“Even the Ministry of Social Development is one of the most under-funded ministries,” she commented.  

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