RULER OF SHARJAH INAUGURATES SCHS NEW PREMISES IN BARASHI AREA
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, praised the efforts of those in charge of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) and its high and specialized level, which is approaching its 50th year. His Highness praised the efforts of Sheikha Jameela bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, President of SCHS, and her great effort in establishing the city after her studies in the United States of America and her specialization in the same field.
The new SCHS buildings in the Barashi area, which is part of the first phase of SCHS project and spans 100,000 square meters, were inaugurated by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah on Monday morning. These buildings represent SCHS's vision of a homogeneous society within an integrated complex that includes an inclusive educational and rehabilitation environment that adheres to the best international practices.
His Highness praised the facilities, amenities and beautiful coordination of the buildings that meet the requirements and needs of the SCHS's members. His Highness praised the accelerated activity in treating cases that are difficult for the most prominent treatment institutions to deal with.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah stressed the importance of expanding SCHS and doubling its area located on Emirates Road, pointing out that the expansion is not limited to treatment institutions, but rather includes housing for employees so that they are close to SCHS and easy to reach the centers.
In an attempt to place SCHS among the ranks of international organizations that offer services to individuals with disabilities and handle cases that are challenging to handle, His Highness ordered that the back area, in addition to the area on the northern side of SCHS, be allotted and annexed to the ownership of SCHS. Future buildings will be constructed on this property that will have direct services for the treatment of various cases of people with disabilities.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah explained that the number of people wanting to join SCHS is constantly increasing. He stressed that it is evidence of the quality of services provided and the good reputation that came thanks to the efforts of those in charge of SCHS, headed by Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi and her work team, in addition to the charitable institutions and individuals who contribute with their donations to the establishment and construction of various buildings, indicating that the government is responsible for SCHS’s operational expenses.
His Highness thanked the government agencies and institutions for the great cooperation with SCHS, stressing the need for continued cooperation to complete the beautiful image of the new buildings by planting trees in the roads and the surrounding area and removing electricity barriers, to provide an ideal environment for students and visitors and a view that pleases the onlookers.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah appreciated the Big Heart Foundation’s donation of 44.4 million dirhams to build the treatment center in SCHS, which will have an area of 8,188 square meters, with a capacity of 2,800 beneficiaries, and comes within the second phase of SCHS’s facilities project.
His Highness concluded his speech by wishing success to all those responsible for the SCHS in providing distinguished treatment services for people with disabilities, and continuing to excel and redouble efforts to be the first Foundation to include people with disabilities.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah had unveiled the commemorative plaque marking the opening of the new buildings of SCHS, which in its first phase includes the Sharjah Autism Center, Al Wafa School for Capacity Development, and the administrative building, benefiting 3,000 people, including 1,287 daily service recipients and 1,159 beneficiaries of the therapeutic center. The new buildings rely on innovative initiatives based on scientific research methodology and are in line with the latest global practices, and are characterized by being environmentally friendly. It is compatible with the latest technologies, and achieves comprehensive design standards to provide an inclusive and accessible environment.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah toured the departments of the Sharjah Autism Center, which provides services to people with autism spectrum disorder, in accordance with the best and latest practices, and has a capacity of 120 male and female students, and is located on a total area of 4,934 square meters. His Highness learned about the efforts and skills possessed by the teaching staff at the center. His Highness met the students and watched the practical applications of the lessons in the specialized classes such as arts, music, life skills, the sports hall and the library.
His Highness moved to Al-Wafa School for Capacity Development, which has a capacity of 352 male and female students with mental disabilities, and provides them with specialized services and programs in accordance with the best and latest practices. His Highness toured the building, seeing the classrooms and rooms for physical therapy, occupational therapy, that severe people with disabilities, which provide an attractive educational environment in line with the principles of learning, which contributes to creating an inclusive and facilitating environment in accordance with the highest international standards.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah visited SCHS's administrative building, which includes administrative offices, meeting rooms, and multi-purpose halls, taking a souvenir photo with SCHS's employees. The design of the new buildings reflects the importance of meeting the needs of individuals in a manner consistent with the deep and noble content of the humanitarian services provided, in addition to presenting strategic plans to keep pace with future development, as the project was designed based on scientific research and best practices in the fields of engineering design and operational processes for education, rehabilitation, and support services.
His Highness listened to an explanation about SCHS’s future expansion plans in its various stages. The second stage includes the Early Intervention Center building, which provides specialized services for children from birth to 5 years of age, the Al Amal School and Kindergarten for the Deaf, which provides its services and programs for deaf and hard of hearing students, and the Masarat Center for Development and Empowerment, whose services benefit young people with disabilities who desire vocational training and independence.
The second phase also includes independent living buildings, whose services are intended for adults with disabilities who wish to experience independent living. The independent living building project is considered unique of its kind in the region, and contributes to building an inclusive and sustainable society for people with disabilities. The project supports thousands of families, children, and students in achieving independence and empowerment in society.
For her part, Sheikha Jameela bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of SCHS, extended her deepest thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who was and continues to be an advocate and supporter of the rights of persons with disabilities in various scientific, academic, intellectual, economic and societal fields.
Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi went on to say: "SCHS's new buildings represent an accomplishment for the Emirate of Sharjah and the United Arab Emirates, not only for SCHS. Without God Almighty's grace and the help of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, as well as their interest in individuals with disabilities and their Highnesses' desire to give them and their families the best and most up-to-date services possible, it would not have been possible. To everyone in society who helps advance, thrive, and lead in the provision of services for people with disabilities and raise community understanding of their rights and concerns.
The head of the foundation confirmed that SCHS attaches great importance to developing interim and strategic plans to achieve the best results. Education is one of SCH’s top priorities. In this way, SCHS keeps pace with the latest developments in accordance with the best international practices.
SCHS has been keen to provide integrated services since the beginning of its journey in the year 1979, through expanding the provision of services, and establishing and opening new branches and centers for SCHS, as SCHS includes 13 specialized centers, and has 3 branches in the cities of Khorfakhan, Al Dhaid and Kallba, in addition to providing modern and advanced services, and establishing an integrated infrastructure that guarantees the flow of work and the quality of the services provided.
Thanks to the patronage and support of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, SCHS has established its leadership position locally, regionally and globally, through its journey to achieve its vision of being a leading institution in including, advocating and empowering people with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates, the Arab world and the world.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah was accompanied on the tour by: Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of SCHS, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Charitable Society, and a number of senior officials, heads of government departments and bodies, and SCHS employees.