Thon Childhood 7 at "Flag Island" competitions in simulating disability
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, 3,000 male and female students from Sharjah schools and their peers from Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) took part in the seventh edition of the "Thon Childhood" challenge, which was organized by the SCHS's Early Intervention Center, on the grounds of Flag Island in Sharjah under the banner of the United Arab Emirates. With the goal of promoting inclusion, raising awareness, and creating successful collaborations between SCHS and local organizations, the event included a variety of sporting events and activities, such as adapted physical education competitions and disability simulations.
Her Excellency Mrs. Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director General of SCHS, said: “Every year, SCHS is eager to host the Thon Childhood Challenge, which is a significant platform for raising community awareness of handicap concerns and fostering an inclusive and diverse culture.”
She added, “We give visitors and participants the chance to experience and comprehend the everyday struggles faced by people with disabilities through the competitions and activities that mimic disability, in addition to the adapted physical education competitions in this session. This helps to create a more inclusive and understanding society and fosters the values of social and humanitarian responsibility.”
Integration and Awareness
She discussed the significance of integrating individuals with disabilities into society, educating schoolchildren about their rights and capabilities, and promoting a culture that values diversity, offers assistance when required, and treats individuals with disabilities with dignity and respect.
She also greatly appreciated the important involvement of the "Challenge" guests in the competitions, as well as the significant involvement of several celebrities from the Sharjah Sports Club and Sharjah Cricket Club, since their participation and the star shirts they signed encouraged more students to join Thon's childhood through its sporting events and competitions.
Thanks and Appreciation
During her honoring, along with Mr. Mohammed Fawzi, Director of SCHS Early Intervention Center, of the sponsors, partners and supporters, the Director General of SCHS extended her sincere thanks and appreciation to: Flag Island, Sharjah Private Education Authority, Sharjah Police, Al Qasimia University, Zulal Water, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Sharjah Sports Council, Ministry of Sports, Sharjah Asset Management – Souq Al Jubail, Golden Loaf, Sharjah Sports Club, Sharjah Cricket Club, Kalha Restaurant, and the schools that participated with the largest number of students in Thon's childhood were also honored.
Additionally, Mrs. Mona expressed gratitude to all of the volunteers, SCHS staff, and Early Intervention Center staff for attending the event, managing even the tiniest organizational aspects, and guaranteeing Thon 7 Childhood's success. She wished them ongoing success.
Great Organization
Haitham Al Zarouni, the Director of the Ministry of Sports' Community Sports Department, commended the Thon Childhood Challenge's excellent planning and the involvement of SCHS's disabled students alongside their peers from other Sharjah schools in the various sporting events that accomplished a number of worthwhile objectives, chief among them being inclusion and awareness.
He added, “In order to achieve social integration based on respect and appreciation and far away from bullying and unacceptable behaviors, individuals and institutions must play their roles in raising awareness among non-disabled students at this age about disabilities and how to deal with people with disabilities. SCHS is not solely responsible for this task.”
Building Confidence
Al Zarouni gave SCHS high marks for its dedication to boosting the self-esteem of individuals with disabilities and planning numerous worthwhile activities, such as "Thon Childhood," which enables them to develop social, athletic, and artistic skills that support their inclusion, empowerment, and social integration.
Leveraging SCHS's Experience
According to him, schools, centers, and other organizations that participate in SCHS events benefit from its leadership and extensive experience in offering academic and social services to individuals with disabilities, and the growth in service delivery that it is witnessing under the direction of the astute leadership validates the accuracy of the strategy it is employing.
In conclusion, the Director of the Community Sports Department at the Ministry of Sports expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, President of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, to Her Excellency Mrs. Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director General of SCHS, and to all the employees of this distinguished humanitarian institution.
Continued Success
Mr. Mohamed Fawzy, Director of the Early Intervention Center, has confirmed the participation of 3,000 male and female students without disabilities, along with their colleagues from SCHS, in the seventh session of Thon Childhood. This indicates the success of the challenge in its previous sessions and the great impact it leaves on all participants.
He said, “Individuals with disabilities should be respected, valued, supported, and helped. It is the responsibility of the community's members to help them attain their rights and to facilitate their access, integration, and education.”
Fawzi highlighted how crucial volunteers from SCHS, Al Qasimia University, and several other schools were to the success of "Thon Childhood." As in past sessions, their professionalism and commitment were crucial to the success of this one.
He concluded by saying: This session of Thon Childhood witnessed outstanding events on stage with the participation of the largest possible number of students, as well as competitions in adapted physical education, and great care was taken to involve students and guests in sports competitions that simulate disability.