Kutayba Alghanim is pictured with Khair Al-Kuwait representatives.

KUWAIT: The Chairman of Alghanim Industries, Kutayba Yusuf Alghanim met last week with the board members from the charity organization, Khair Al-Kuwait, to discuss the latest developments regarding the restoration of houses for the Children's Home - an orphanage launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor's Social Welfare Sector.

Representatives from Khair Al-Kuwait included Vice Chairperson - Sheikha Maryam Mohammad, Al-Sabah, Secretary General - Nasser Mohammed Al-Ayyar and board member and Head of the Facilities Committee, Engineer Fawzi Al-Rowaished.

The Khair Al-Kuwait Organization awarded Kutayba Alghanim with its medal, in appreciation of his financial and moral support. This is Khair Al-Kuwait's highest honor and the first time that a person gains that recognition. Kutayba Alghanim was also named "Person of the Year" during the "To My Orphan Brother" celebration, organized by the Ministry of Education last April, in recognition for his outstanding work with orphans.

In August of last year, Alghanim Industries, one of the largest, privately-owned companies in the region, announced that it will bear the full cost for the second phase of the Children Home Project. This includes the restoration and renovation of six houses, the construction of an outdoor playground and a central kitchen. Today, the restoration of the houses is complete and back in the care of the Ministry of Social Affairs, while the outdoor playground is under construction.

These new houses will be modeled on the United Nation's SOS Children's Villages system, which is based on the 'Alternative Mother' concept, where orphaned children are given the opportunity to live and grow up in independent homes with 'brothers' and 'sisters' and a self-styled alternative mother. This will replace the old system used previously in the orphanage, where all the children lived in dormitory housing, without the sense of family warmth.

Alghanim Industries made its contribution through Khair Al-Kuwait, a charity organization operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor to complete the restoration of The Children Home Project within the Social Welfare Sector in Shuwaikh. The work is being carried out in five phases. The first phase completed, which included the restoration of four homes, a clinic, a theater, and a multi-purpose hall. While the second phase is under construction, with the support of Alghanim Industries.

Important segment

Chairman of Alghanim Industries, Kutayba Yusuf Alghanim said: "I am pleased that I am able to contribute to Khair Al-Kuwait, which supports an important and sensitive segment of our society, and embodies the spirit of the humanitarian work - an inherent trait within the Kuwaiti national identity."

He added, "We have the ability to change the lives of orphaned children, deprived of their loved ones, by placing them in new homes with surrogate mothers. By creating a healthy family atmosphere, just like the rest of the children living with their parents and siblings. All of this prepares and enables children to engage with society more easily, whether in school or in the workplace when they're older. I would like to extend my appreciation and gratitude to Khair Al-Kuwait for their great efforts in caring for these orphans."

Chairperson of Khair Al-Kuwait, Sheikha Feryal Duaij Al-Sabah, said: "This recognition of Kutayba Alghanim's humanitarian role is well deserved, for his great contribution which impacts the continuation of our work to provide the best to the orphans. I encourage all residents of this generous country to have an active role in the work of the Khair Al-Kuwait Organization towards all targeted segments, whether it's the orphaned children or the elderly or the disabled or the ill."

The Children's Home is the only entity in Kuwait that is responsible for housing and taking care of orphans, launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor - Social Welfare Sector. It welcomes children of all ages, who are then cared for until the age of 12. After that age, boys are transferred to specialized housing units, while girls are also transferred to specialized housing units. Both buildings are also part of the Social Welfare Sector, within the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.

This initiative comes as part of Alghanim Industries' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which is committed to giving back to the community, supporting education and encouraging entrepreneurship. At present-day, the company devotes most of its efforts towards The Children Home Project because of its great impact towards the lives of orphaned children in Kuwait.