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Week-long camp for special needs people

SHARJAH — His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the 16th round of Al Amal Camp here yesterday.

Being organised by the Sharjah Humanitarian Services (SCHS), the camp will run till January 27.

The inauguration was attended by Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council; Shaikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman Of Sharjah Medical Zone; as well as heads of departments and government officials.

Dr Shaikh Sultan toured the art and photography exhibitions in which works of people with special needs from seven Arab countries were displayed. He also inaugurated the web site of the Al Manal monthly magazine brought out by SCHS.

More than 150 volunteers and 76 delegates from all Arab countries are participating in the week-long camp which features several educative and entertainment activities.

The opening ceremony featured several activities including camp song by students from SCHS, speeches, narration of real life stories by people with special needs and the unfurling of the participant countries' flags.

Addressing the event which was organised under the slogan "The dignity of person with special need is part of society's honour," Kaltham Obaid, Head of the Media Committee of SCHS, said that knowledge was the foundation of civilisation and education gives best opportunity to learn and implement useful skills in daily life.

"People with special needs benefit from such educational activities and make use of its opportunities to be part of the active sector in society," he said.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr Shaikh Sultan urged the municipalities in all the emirates to give consideration to people with special needs by establishing parking spaces in all government departments and hospitals and wheel-chair way as well as removing the obstacles which create difficulties in the life of people with special needs.

He also called on companies and business establishments not only in the emirates but in all Arab countries to support the activities and programme of people with special needs which help them get integrated with society.

"The SCHS is making all efforts to provide best services for people with special needs through its well advanced education programmes and medical services. It extends services beyond the borders to help people with special needs from Palestine, Sudan and Somalia where the handicapped are results of violence and war," he said.

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