‘I am not to blame for vulnerable children in this world, but I will be if I do nothing about it’

AMMAN — Eighty five orphaned children from Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan and Iraq on Friday took part in the celebrations marking the ONE LOVE Jordan organisation’s seventh anniversary.

Launched in 2011 by Jordanian-French Faten Al Malky under the motto “Compassionate Care for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Jordan”, ONE LOVE “aims to transform the lives of orphaned children by taking them out of anonymity and helping them live like any other children”, according to the organisation’s founder.

“I am not to blame if there are vulnerable children in this world, but I will be if I do nothing about it,” Al Malky told The Jordan Times, noting that the name ONE LOVE comes from the idea that “we are all ONE and have enough LOVE for all”.

Marking its 7th year of activity, the ONE LOVE team organised a day of entertainment with music, dance, games and recreational challenges in cooperation with its partners McDonald’s and Harley owners group Kingdom of Jordan Chapter.

“The aim of ONE LOVE is not only to provide material support to these children, but also to give them something less tangible: hope, friendship, comfort. This is why we organise such events, so we can slowly contribute in building these kids’ confidence and self esteem,” Al Malky said.

For Hussein Hasan, one of the volunteers in the event, “ONE LOVE is an opportunity for children experiencing tough lives to get out of their environment and play, dance, sing and learn; all the things children should be doing on a daily basis.”

“When playing with them, I realised how strong they are. Children’s hopes are the most beautiful thing and we should all feed it with our kindness,” he told The Jordan Times after the event.

A Syrian national who lost his parents during the war, 10-year-old Alaa voiced his joy to take part in the celebrations. “This is the best day I have ever had since I came to Jordan,” he told The Jordan Times, echoing the feelings of Abdel Razaq, a 6-year-old Somali who said “I want to stay here at the farm to dance every single day and eat sweets.”

“The initiative started off with my close family and friends and gradually expanded to include anyone interested in ‘being a friend of the orphans’ in Jordan. We now have a range of activities for orphans, widows and people with special needs that include days at the museum, play days in parks or trips to the Dead Sea,” Al Malky told The Jordan Times, noting that ONE LOVE also provides health care services, clothes, food distribution and recreational activities.

“Those who are interested in providing economic, social and humanitarian support to vulnerable populations are welcome to join our initiative. These children suffer daily just through their daily life; we do not choose our lives so we need to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves and give them what they cannot receive from a parent,” Al Malky said, voicing her admiration and gratefulness to all team members “who are always ready to give time, love and care to the children”.

Due to a lack of big budget for fundraising events or publicity, ONE LOVE Jordan does most of its work online, raising awareness through social media platforms. “Any donation means a lot to us and has a great impact,” Al Malky stressed, remembering one former volunteer now member of the team, who “used to always be afraid that his donations would be too small”.

“Orphanages face many issues, so we try to alleviate their burden and give their children our love and friendship and a glimpse of parenthood as well,” the founder said, noting that she has long lasting relations with orphanages across the country thanks to her parents’ and sister’s involvement in social welfare.