A DELEGATION FROM THE NATIONAL AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN DJIBOUTI VISITS SCHS
Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) received a delegation from the National Agency for Persons with Disabilities in the Republic of Djibouti from 10 to 12 October. The delegation included Mr. Abdul Qadir Ali Abdi, from PR in the Arab world, and Ms. Mona Abdi Musa, PR coordinator in the Arab world. The visit aimed at learning about the programs and activities offered to students with disabilities, benefiting from SCHS’s experience, and discussing ways of cooperation.
Her Excellency Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director General of SCHS, provided the visiting delegation with a comprehensive explanation of SCHS’s departments and branches. She mentioned that SCHS has been providing many services to people with disabilities since its establishment in 1979. SCHS aims at including, advocating, empowering, and integrating people with disabilities into society, in accordance with international best practices.
She said, “In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the directives of Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, President of SCHS, we are always working to develop and enhance cooperation with local, Arab, and international institutions, civil society institutions, the private sector and universities, with the aim of continuing in providing and developing services, in line with the latest practices”.
The visit included Al-Wafa School for Capacity Development, with its two branches, “Yarmouk and Ramla,” during which Dr. Samia Mohamed Saleh, the school’s director, spoke about the most important services provided, such as diagnosis and evaluation according to the latest curricula, standards, tests, training, and education services according to the latest individual educational programs. In addition to therapeutic services, supportive activities, the integration program, and training services for the technical staff at the internal and local levels, community awareness and family counseling services.
For her part, Dr. Siham Al-Humaimat, Director of the Sharjah Autism Center, explained during the reception of the delegation that the center is a pioneer in the field of education and rehabilitation of children with autism spectrum disorder. It has contributed and is still contributing to changing the lives of many of them and enhancing their future. The center was able to provide an appropriate educational environment for them and develop integrated programs to meet their needs and improve their life capabilities. The center also provided training and support to parents and specialists in this field.
At Al Amal School and Kindergarten for the Deaf, Ms. Afaf Al Haridi, Director of Al Amal School for the Deaf, welcomed the delegation and gave them a comprehensive introduction to the services and activities that the school provides to deaf students in terms of education, rehabilitation, and empowerment for various age levels from nursery to university education.
In turn, Mr. Mohamed Fawzi, Director of the Early Intervention Center, confirmed that the center is the first of its kind in the region and was the result of an in-depth study of community needs and keeping pace with global development in the field of special education. He explained that early intervention programs work to reduce the economic burden on society and reduce psychological, social, and financial pressure on families. In the long run, it also contributes to the effective integration of people into society at an early stage and reduces the period of need for special services.
During the agency's delegation's three-day visit, it was also briefed on the services provided at the Center for Severe Disabilities, most notably modified sports, home economics activities, and music therapy sessions. The delegation was also briefed on the services of the Assistive Technology Center and the Masaraat Center for Development and Empowerment.
Mr. Abdelkader Ali Abdi and Mona Abdi Musa confirmed that the National Agency for Persons with Disabilities in the Republic of Djibouti, which was established in 2018, works to provide support and integrate people with disabilities into society, ensure their enjoyment of equality in basic rights and opportunities, ensure their protection, and provide appropriate training programs. It also contribute to providing suitable jobs for them, in addition to obtaining the necessary health care, and enhancing cooperation with the relevant authorities and institutions.
Delegates have praised the leadership of SCHS, the global level it has reached, and its keenness to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their parents in various fields. They pointed out the need to enhance cooperation and coordination between the agency and SCHS and benefit from the expertise, services, programs, and activities it provides to its students and its distinguished experience, and work to exchange experiences in the future.
In conclusion, the guest delegation extended its sincere thanks and appreciation to SCHS for its warm welcome and generous hospitality, wishing its students, administration and workers continued success.