Dubai, New Delhi: Dubai-based Rashid Centre for Disabled has signed a partnership with New Delhi-based Sun Foundation to provide skills to children with special needs in the UAE and India.
The agreement was highlighted during a charity gala dinner on Monday at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi, attended by royalty, diplomats, celebrities, corporate leaders, other dignitaries, as well as students of Rashid Centre.
Shaikh Juma Bin Al Maktoum Al Maktoum, acting chairman of Rashid Centre, led a UAE delegation to New Delhi to attend Monday’s event.
Under the agreement, the two establishments will exchange expertise in imparting vocational and other skills to children with special needs, train staff specialised in working with such children and plan to open new centres for them in the UAE and in India. The training aspect for specialists will be led by Sun Foundation.
Mariam Othman, CEO of Rashid Centre, said in the UAE, there is a need for more specialised professionals working in the sector for children with special needs. Othman added that she realised the potential of a partnership with Sun Foundation during a recent visit to one of its centres.
“We visited their centre and I saw how advanced they — and, in general, in India — really are in this line of work. So, I think we can learn from them; it will be a cooperation between us and them,” Othman said.
She added: “I think teaching teachers is very important. An issue that we have in the UAE is regarding the specialists who are working in the special needs centres. Although the government is working very hard to provide all services and the quality of the services — if you visit any centre you will see all the facilities are there. But we in Rashid Centre — I’m sure in the other centres also — are facing an issue to get specialists.”
Othman explained there is a high turnover of expat specialists as they expect such high salaries that “usually the special needs centres cannot afford”. She said, in contrast, there are many Indian citizens in this field in India.
Othman added that part of the partnership will involve mutual visits to both countries to exchange specialists, students, workshops and other events. She said that students of Rashid Centre have been on other overseas visits before their latest New Delhi trip, which promotes cultural exchanges as well.
Vikramjit Sahney, chairman of Sun Foundation, said there is a plan to organise a second such charity gala event in Dubai in the near future, which also helps supports “cultural diplomacy” between the UAE and India.
He added that the agreement “will impart skills to specially abled children so that they can become self-employed and economically empowered to earn their livelihoods and to make their lives better in so many other areas as well”.
The agreement comes in line with the UAE’s Year of Giving (2017) initiative.
Also addressing Monday’s gathering was Dr Ahmad Al Banna, UAE’s ambassador to India, and Ahmad Khoury, founder of Rashid Centre.
During an auction, held as part of the event, Shaikha Fatima Bint Hasher Bin Dalmook Al Maktoum bought a painting by a Rashid Centre student to support the cause. Also sold during the auction was a jacket worn by Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan, for Rs160,000 (around Dh9,159), and a saree worn by Indian actress Deepika Padukone, for Rs100,000 (around Dh5,724). Indian actress Raveena Tandon also spoke during the event.
Entertaining the guests were prominent Emirati singers Fayez Al Saeed and Abdullah Belkhair. There were also performances by children from Rashid Centre and Sun Foundation.
Auctioned for a cause
Black leather jacket worn by Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan in film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, for Rs160,000 (around Dh9,159)
Orange-green saree worn by Indian actress Deepika Padukone in film Chennai Express, for Rs100,000 (around Dh5,724)
Two artworks by Rashid Centre student for Rs100,000 (around Dh5,724) each; another student’s painting for Rs60,000 (around Dh3,434)
Signed white boxing glove of world champion UK boxer David Haye, for Rs35,500 (around Dh2,032)
