Al-Widad Association for Orphan Care: 18 years without returning the children in custody
announced The Al-Widad Association for Orphan Care an exceptional achievement reflecting the high quality of charitable and social work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a record of zero cases of children being returned to their foster care over the past 18 years. This announcement, made during a recent event in Dammam, underscores the success of the association's rigorous governance system, which ensures the children's lasting family stability and provides them with a safe and sustainable environment.
The development of orphan care in the Kingdom
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed a radical shift in its philosophy of orphan care. Whereas care was previously largely reliant on traditional residential institutions, a pressing need has emerged to integrate these children into natural families that provide them with warmth and affection. In this context, the association, as the executive arm of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, works to implement the highest standards of fostering practices, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to maximize the impact of the non-profit sector and empower it to provide sustainable, high-quality social services that meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups.
Al-Widad Association for Orphan Care Standards to Ensure Stability
Saad Al-Rubaie, director of the association's Eastern Province branch, explained that the association implements advanced governance practices, earning it the highest levels of compliance and transparency from the National Center for Non-Profit Sector Development, thus strengthening the trust of the community and donors. Families wishing to foster are subject to 13 rigorous criteria to verify their psychological, economic, security, and health readiness. The process doesn't end with the child's placement; it is followed by strict and continuous monitoring for two full years to ensure the child's adaptation and complete stability within their new family.
Legitimate breastfeeding and building family identity
The association's unique strategy is based on the principle of fostering, with careful consideration given to the physical similarities between the orphan and the foster family. The association's managing director, Abdul Salam Al-Jabr, emphasized that the fostering initiative is a positive step that bridges the gap of feelings of inadequacy and makes a fundamental difference in the orphan's future career and social development. This unique approach ensures the protection of healthy psychological and social growth, providing the child with a genuine family identity that transcends the traditional concept of foster care.
Digital leadership and award-winning achievements
The association bolstered its organizational success by launching a comprehensive online portal that manages the relationship with families from the initial stages of the process until after placement. This digital transformation culminated in a massive media campaign exceeding 759 million views, promoting a culture of fostering and modernizing its societal guidelines. The association reaped the rewards of this excellence by winning first place in the Princess Noura Award for Childhood in the category of Quality of Life and Psychological Well-being, topping the Ihsan platform for two consecutive years, and receiving advanced certifications in institutional excellence and knowledge management.
The local and regional impact of the success of the incubation model
The anticipated impact of this success extends beyond local boundaries. Locally, this model helps eliminate the psychological challenges orphans may face, fostering a well-adjusted generation capable of building their society. Regionally and internationally, achieving zero cases of return places the Kingdom among the leading nations in the field of children's rights and welfare, offering a model for social institutions in the Arab world. Association officials expressed their appreciation for the generous support of the wise leadership and the backing of regional princes, which strengthens the association's ability to address the root causes of orphanhood and provide children with a normal life under the care of parents, enabling them to integrate into society like any other child.
