Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Damascus, SANA – Under the patronage of Mrs. Asma al-Assad and within World Orphan Week, Lamset Shifaa Charity and “Big Idea” held Saturday an entertainment activity for orphans under the title of “To Draw a Smile”.
The event, which was held at al-Jalaa gallery, includes artistic and cultural activities. Gifts will be offered to the children too.
Chairwoman of Lamset Shifaa, Maha Nweilati, said that the event aims at entertaining children and emphasizing that there are people who do take care of them, clarifying that today’s activity is part of the activities of a week-long as it was preceded by visits to Damascus orphans’ houses.
For her part, Director of “Big Idea” company Lama Lutfi said that the event includes several activities like painting, cooking and shopping, adding that it will wrap up at 9.30 pm.
The world marks in the first week of April the Orphan Week to boost awareness over the need of paying attention to this group and fulfilling their needs.
Lamset Shifaa Charitable association covers the expenses of surgeries for poor children and orphans and it provides support to families of orphans and of sick children. Its activities spread to cover the needy of all ages, opening several departments for distributing relief aid and orphan sponsorships. 
In the same context, an event was held at Our Lady of Sednaya Monastery in the Aramaic-speaking Sednaya city in Damascus Countryside to entertain and distribute gifts to orphaned children.
Minister of Social Affairs Kinda al-Shammat pledged that the Ministry is committed to looking after children who lost one or both of their parents.
She made a particular reference to children who have been orphaned due to the current terrorism crisis in the country.
The Ministry has recently conducted an assessment of the 35 orphans associations in the country to gauge their various necessary needs, including in terms of money, training and services.
A draft law on alternative care for orphaned children is being prepared by the Ministry.
Patriarchal Vicar of Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East Ephrem Maalouli said he appreciates all initiatives and efforts aimed at taking care of orphans in Syria, stressing the importance of providing moral and financial support to those.
Rasha/ Mazen/Haifa Said
