MANY orphans are seeking a change — not only physical but psychological — for the better in the treatment being meted out to them by employees at orphanages while also calling for an attitudinal change that would enable their quick rehabilitation is society. They set recreation and good treatment as conditions that would make their lives bearable, while asking for their rights. The orphans have come up with these demands, especially with the lack of control and attention of the competent authorities of the mental state, creativity and self-assertion of orphans becoming glaringly apparent. People who lack the necessary experience are also impacting orphans psychologically, and this leads to frustrations and complications. The purported psychologist is either incapable of dealing with orphans or lacks the skill and sensitivity of instilling self-confidence in them at early ages. In addition, orphans' feelings are suppressed by threats and continued reminders of sins that they did not commit, by those who believe that this is for the benefit of orphans. Unskilled people, even with good intentions, should not be let loose near orphans. Psychological rehabilitation should be at the hands of experienced specialists and not those who hold secondary school certificates or university degrees in mathematics, geography and home economics. This leads to the continuation of the rigors of the community and the cruelty of some orphanages that abandon orphans, especially women, who have failed to assimilate themselves into society. A woman said that orphans like her are not demanding anything except to enjoy recreation and entertainment facilities like all human beings. She also said that they do not object to supervisors accompanying them in trips or overseeing their activities. She noted that they are always asked to watch TV for recreation, which becomes monotonous over time and the monotony brings about frustration and boredom — recipes for dangerous thoughts and actions. The singular activity also leaves us in a miserable psychological state. “We are not autistic to be imprisoned in the orphanage without any useful activity or a variety of entertainment activities or something to learn. We are psychologically being destroyed and cannot think of a beautiful tomorrow,” she said. Another orphan woman said that she was married three years ago but was then separated. I returned to the orphanage, but I did not find any support there and was treated very differently from before. Women at a Jeddah orphanage are hoping that society at least appreciates their talents, especially in poetry, arts, sports, painting, sculpturing and other spheres. They feel an emotive bond with society would make them feel included. They are asking for support in enhancing their talents and help in bringing the talents to the community. They feel society should at least make efforts to showcase their talents and exhibit them appropriately like those who have grown up in a healthy environment do. Ironically, these talents were evident during the various women activities and the special exhibits inside orphanages. The exhibited craft works, poetry and arts brought about many talents to the fore. There were many who excelled in the field of sports, such as football, basketball and karate, and given a proper chance they could emerge as competitive and productive members of society. Bashayer Bandar said that she loved painting since childhood and stressed that the orphanage employees have embraced her artistic talent. She has participated in some festivals, but she hopes that her talent would enable her to participate in international events like other women. Bayan Abdulmajeed said that she has memorized the Qur'an, and has found support from the orphanage and has won the first place in a local contest. But she hopes for greater support to enter bigger contests. Norah Alasmari, head of a Jeddah orphanage, sought humanitarian support for talented women in the orphanage, especially as their creativity is increasing by the day. She noted that these talents are capable of contributing to the country and have shown great ability to work and perfect difficult crafts that are made of crude materials, such as marble, leather, wood and glass. Alasmari hopes that these women's aspirations to participate in festivals that are held by the tourism authorities are realized. She has asked for the allocation of special areas to exercise their activities. She hopes that these women will continue honing their talents and not lose hope, and wished them success. Um Waleed, a former worker at a Madinah orphanage, said that she worked at the orphanage for 11 years and treated the young girls like her own daughters. She noted that the girls were supervised by non-Muslim employees who did not know the appropriate way of praying and she taught them how to pray. She added that they were very aggressive due to their haphazard upbringing and had very negative thoughts. The orphanage management was mainly concerned in collecting donations for the orphanage and only cared for formalities. She claimed that the management has neglected the trust bestowed on them and that these girls — future mothers — should have been properly educated and made ready for society. Um Waleed pointed out that threats are never effective in resolving problems, but may make problems even worse. She hoped that the orphanage would employ teachers from the Ministry of Education and psychologists to care for the orphans. Hala Al-Mehyani, a teacher, said that orphans should be psychologically treated before they are asked to behave properly. She noted that the problem is not with orphans only, but with those who supervise and take care of them. She claims that workers in the orphanage are only part time employees who are concerned with the overtime pay and the Ministry of Social Affairs has to pay more attention to this problem. She believes that full time specialists should be employed to embrace these orphans and to change their attitudes so that they are not perceived as troublemakers with psychological issues. Al-Mehyani added that we cannot improve anybody's future if we continue to delve into past mistakes.
