Okaz/Saudi Gazette MADINAH — The Ministry of Social Affairs has announced that charitable organizations can obtain interest-free loans to implement sustainable projects to generate income for philanthropic work. Minister of Social Affairs Majed Al-Qasabi said the ministry will now grant charity organizations interest-free loans in the next five months to help them execute developmental projects and acquire sustainable endowments. "We want to change the mentality that charities are run with government aid and donations from the public. They have to assume proactive roles and see themselves as leaders of social development rather than beggars," said Al-Qasabi. The ministry held a forum on social integration in Madinah last week. "The ministry is currently developing its foster care program, which enables families to care for orphans. The ministry has compiled a shortlist of foster parents to support them financially and monitor them closely," said Al-Qasabi. The forum was attended by the heads of charity organizations, many of them tending to orphans. "The ministry prioritizes the health and safety of orphans in the Kingdom. We make sure the foster families provide a healthy and stable environment for the orphans to grow," Al-Qasabi told the forum. He added the ministry keeps regular updates and accurate statistics of charities and protection homes. "A total of 3,036 orphans are currently with foster families in the Kingdom and 1,381 orphans in protection homes. The number of organizations caring for orphans has reached 2,429," said Al-Qasabi. In addition to the orphanages, the ministry also oversees 12 old age homes that care for a total of 673 senior citizens, said Al-Qasabi. He said there are 117 rehabilitation centers across the country and the ministry has provided them with 28,500 pieces of various medical equipment. Speaking about the phenomenon of begging among Saudis, the minister said the rate of Saudis among beggars is around 13 percent. He said of 13,597 children caught begging, 90 percent were Saudis. A total of 88,613 of housemaids were caught begging in the streets of the Kingdom.
