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SPECIAL CHILDREN ON ‘HOPE QUEST’

The impressive new premises of the Al Ain Juniors School provided the perfect setting for a special event — the Annual Sports Day ‘Hope Quest 2005’ for the remarkable students of Hope Centre, a centre for children with special needs, an offshoot of the Al Ain Juniors School.

Nearly 30 children — originally hailing from countries as diverse as UAE, Oman, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon — came together for a friendly competition, and to demonstrate clearly the tremendous skills they have achieved through months of dedicated training. Among the supportive and highly impressed crowd were two honoured guests from the Al Ain Education Zone — Mrs Amna Saeed Al Shamsi, Assistant Director (Private and Special Schools); and Mrs Fatma Ahmed Al Kaabi, Head of Special Needs Education.

Mrs Fatma said: “As an Emirati, I am delighted to know that such an impressive organisation like the Hope Centre exists here in our beloved country to serve the needs of our diverse community, and it is my wish that the Hope Centre will be the start of many other hopes for special needs children in Al Ain.”

Mrs Amna was equally wholehearted in her praise for the Hope Centre’s organisation of the event, saying: “After feeling the sheer strength of spirit and seeing the total commitment shown by the children and the staff, I feel that it is my honour to be a part of this celebration today.”

Amidst cheers and excited encouragement from the crowd, this talented group of children — who experience a range of difficulties including Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, ataxia (inability to co-ordinate movements), aphasia (inability to speak fully), brittle bone disease, autism and other behavioural disorders — overcame many challenges to rise to the occasion. Parents and honoured guests witnessed a wonderful show of creative and harmonious participation.

It was difficult to single out any individual for the impressive group performance. The dedicated staff of the Hope Centre, along with the Principal, Mrs Tanveer Arshad and the Director, Mr Arshad Sharief, fully supported the Centre’s General Manager, Ms Fatiha Moustakim, when she summarised the day by saying, “As the new manager, today’s achievement represents the start of a bright future for the centre and its special children, and I thank all those involved in making it such a great success.”