Summer Program extends into Ramadan

More than 240,000 visitors in 30 days took part in the Saudi Aramco 2011 Summer Program in Jiddah, which concluded July 31. Among the guests were 1,500 children with special needs.

Features included a display of historical photos of the city; an exhibition of art by Saudi female artists; calligraphy workshops; and awareness talks on traffic safety, health and fire prevention.

Fifty volunteers, mostly high school and university students on summer break, helped out and benefited from their experience. “What we learn here will help us grow a sense of social responsibility and become active members of our society,” said Sara Ashmawi, a volunteer from King Abdulaziz University.

Saudi Aramco participated in the Jiddah municipality’s own summer program, “Jiddah 32,” by distributing 15,000 agricultural seedlings, 25,000 CDs and 120,000 publications.

Dhahran

After 270,000 visitors passed through the gates in the past four weeks, the first part of the Summer Program in Dhahran closed its doors July 31.

Those who wish it to continue will be happy to learn that it will reopen to the public from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Aug. 6-19. Many of the attractions will remain, this time under a Ramadan theme.

Al-Hasa

Many thousands attended the attractions of the final days of the “Hasana Fallah” festival. Highlights included a traditional groom’s wedding reception.

Led by 15 cartoon characters and five clowns, more than 500 children carrying pictures of King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al-Saud marched in a carnival-style parade, singing traditional songs while being accompanied by instrumentalists.

Children also competed in several contests, including the best traditional folk costume competition and a national poem reading. A two-hour women’s program took place, with almost 2,000 women attending.

Riyadh

The program concluded recently after a month that drew an estimated 350,000 people. Visitor Hamad Al-Yami attended the final day to make up, he said, for what he missed before. “My daughter insisted on attending one of the photography workshops,” he said.

Ibrahim Al-Rashid said that he heard about the program and wanted to see it for himself. He said he learned how to measure blood pressure and blood sugar.

Reem Al-Rabea, a high school student, said she benefited from her experience as a volunteer. “My goal in volunteering was to gain experience and participate in developing my society,” she said. She also encouraged her friends to try volunteering.

What Poems Confess: Fire Safety for the Fourth of July

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