A guide to what the programme means, who can apply, its benefits, and the participating schools
uae4 hours ago
LEARNING LIFE SKILLS:(clockwise from above) Varun and Rohan practise yoga with their instructor; Varun and Tanay after a training session on cooking and serving ameal; nine-year-old Sahib gets amartial arts lesson
Even though Varun was eight years old, he barely spoke a word. He wasn't just shy, or introverted; he avoided social contact. He used to go into fits of rage, pull his hair out and even bite and claw his mother, Neena Raina, when he was uncomfortable (eight years later, she still has the marks). Much like the parents in Dubai Autism Center's advert - the one where an autistic boy throws a tantrum and presses all the buttons in the elevator and the aghast group looks daggers at the parents - Neena too has wished, at times, that the earth would open up and swallow her.
"Everyone thought he was mad. that was the word they chose to describe him," says Neena. Only Varun wasn't mad, or mute or antisocial. He has autism, like many other kids in the UAE (around the world, a child is diagnosed with autism every 20 minutes). But when he saunters down from his karate lesson and greets me, he's as amicable and cheerful as anyone can be. His mother coaxes him into singing for us and he obliges, belting out Frank Sinatra's classic My Way - it's one of his favourites - almost like he was singing the story of his life. And, boy, can he sing! It's a talent that has given him a voice, and Neena wants every child like him to find their own secret power. That's why she, along with her close friend Arti Khazanchi, decided to open up Tender Hearts Arena in Umm Suqeim, a recreational facility for kids with special needs. Correction: Special abilities.
MOTHER'S TOUCH: Neena Raina with her son Varun, 16, who is autistic
Neena and Arti's journey was not easy. "Even the legislature and code for such an enterprise didn't exist in the UAE. We basically spent the best part of the last three years between various government departments, grappling with a legal infrastructure we were, prior to this, oblivious of." Now, Tender Hearts is directly under Dubai's Community Development Authority, with Neena and Arti as stakeholders and they're working with schools, centres and all sorts of programmes across the UAE.
The facility, over a month old, has taken in about two dozen children with varying levels of a broad spectrum of disabilities, like ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), autism spectrum disorders, Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy. The activity leaders - "We don't call them teachers," says Neena - have already noticed marked improvements in some of the kids. One of them, who has been coming every day, was quiet, detached and wouldn't even make eye contact. After a couple of weeks, Tender Hearts realised he loves to paint and has an incredible talent for it. Now he's happy, chirpy, greets people, makes eye contact and is sociable to all.
(Left to Right)Neena and her business partner Arti Khazanchi
The ladies tell us one of their favourite stories - the boy with cerebral palsy. "He does karate and yoga, and is so full of life. He's an inspiration. He doesn't even use his wheelchair, which is quite significant, as many CP kids are wheelchair-bound. And it's all because of his mother. She is an incredible woman," says Neena.
Fact box Tender Hearts currently has programmes like cooking, music, arts and crafts, yoga, martial arts, theatre and more. There's also an entertainment area and library with puzzles and activity books. The first two sessions are free of cost, and Tender Hearts requires that parents bring their kids at least twice a week for four weeks. For more information, log on to tenderhearts.ae or call +971 508873455 |
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