Fifteen Girl Guides of Saudi Arabia are taking care of lost children at the holy sites in Mina and Arafat during this year's Haj. The guides, working under the slogan “Be ready, you belong to this homeland,” will help reunite lost children with their families. The head of the Girl Guides in the Kingdom, Maha Fitaihi, told Okaz/Saudi Gazette: “We were very successful last year and we plan to do even better this year.” She criticized society for not appreciating the role and tasks of Girl Guides who receive intensive training on Haj services. Describing the process of reuniting a lost child with his or her loved ones, she said: “Once we receive a lost child, we pacify him and look after him until he is united with his family. “The child is registered and a report is sent out to various bodies via e-mails. The child's clothes are changed, he is fed and his possessions are put in a special box,” she said, adding: “Our role finishes when we hand him over to his family member, who signs official documents and the authorities are informed.” The guides also receive lost, old and sick female pilgrims and co-ordinate with security patrols and guides to reunite them with their camps. Fitaihi insisted: “Saudi women are capable of serving the Guests of Allah along with the women Mutawwifs and guides stationed in the pilgrims' camps.” The girl guides have also provided assistance during disasters, such as the Jeddah floods, where they played a significant role in mitigating the suffering of victims. __
