Toni Qattan sings for orphans

Singer Toni Qattan performed for 200 children from SOS villages on Saturday in the Jordanian capital of Amman. He entertained the orphans as part of the “Smile with Us” festival. The event, held in The Landmark Hotel, was organised by volunteers and led by social activists Mohammed Rahal and Amal Arshid in response to the Arab League’s call for a day in which the children are brought together in a celebratory atmosphere.   Al-Qattan performed a number of his songs, took pictures with the children and handed out CDs. He also touched on the situation in the Gaza Strip at the event, wishing the children of Gaza improved conditions and an end to violence. The organisers of the festival set up the fundraising event “Bag & Pencil” which Qattan also took part in. The proceeds went to buying school supplies for around 1,000 school children in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan. The initiative was born after a visit to one camp revealed dire conditions in which orphaned and poor school children had no access to the most basic school supplies.