Fatima Muhammad
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz has donated SR1 million to the Ebsar Foundation for the Visually Impaired.
The prince is honorary president of the association.
Other princes and businessmen collectively donated SR500,000.
Abdul Aziz Hifni, board member and financial supervisor of the association, said last year the association had an estimated deficit of SR2.3 million because it did not receive any funding from the Ministry of Social Affairs, while donations have also been delayed.
This year, Hifni said, Ebsar increased its budget by 15 percent and spending for next year is expected to be SR6.8 million.
Aside from its regular activities, the foundation is still looking to generate SR1.4 million to finalize a viability study for the proposed Ebsar Charity Village, which the charity wants to establish to benefit visually impaired individuals, help them interact with each other and so they can receive clinical and education services.
Ebsar Chairman Ahmed Mohammad Ali, addressing the achievements and activities last year, said the organization was able to cover the shortage in funding and the activities were proceeding as normal.
A total of 1,402 visually impaired individuals were able to benefit from the charity’s services.
Ebsar also provided aid to 226 poor families with visually impaired children.
Donations include 897 Braille aid machines, 76 Qur'ans in Braille, 48 canes for visually impaired individuals and 25 screen reader programs.
Ebsar also finalized a partnership with King Abdulaziz University and was able to help 41 female students with visual impairments get their degrees in public relations and media. It established a section for the visually impaired at King Fahd Library.
Ali added that the charity has also increased the number of visually impaired individuals working at the association and finalized a number of summer programs.
Secretary-General Mohammad Ballo said Ebsar has started a national campaign to check for visual problems in children aged 3 to 12.
