HOPE Qatar Centre for Special Needs celebrated its 15th Annual Day through a virtual ceremony attended by well-wishers from across the world on Friday.
Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal was the chief guest while Indonesian ambassador Ridwan Hassan was the special guest on the occasion.
In his message that was broadcast during the celebration on YouTube, Dr Mittal congratulated HOPE on achieving this milestone. “I wish to congratulate HOPE Qatar for doing a wonderful service to humanity, especially serving the special needs children over these 15 years,” he said. “You are really a 'HOPE' for the children and parents.”
He also congratulated HOPE for its success and impact over the years through its innovative and holistic curriculum that also includes academics, IT, yoga, karate and other techniques, the centre said in a press statement.
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Hassan, who is also a parent of two students at HOPE Qatar, said: “Each child has their own unique potential and abilities. It is the responsibility of the parents to give the children as much opportunities to let them grow and develop. Qatar gives great attention to the issue of education for children, including those with special needs, and in this regard we found HOPE Qatar to be an institution that has experience and pays huge attention to educating children with special needs. To them we entrusted our twin daughters to be guided and developed.”
One of the objectives of HOPE Qatar is to showcase the abilities and talents of the children with special needs. Accordingly, its annual days, together with other annual events such as sports days and science exhibitions, contribute to this objective.
HOPE Qatar said it is preparing for the opening of more branches in different locations such as Al Wakra and Al Khor once the pandemic-related challenges recede. A vocational programme that focuses on employment creation and sensitisation of potential employers is also part of the centre's strategic plan. HOPE Qatar is also conducting a highly specialised camp from July until the end of August to provide the much-needed stimulation to differently abled children and their siblings. Admissions are on for this camp.
Dr Rajeev Thomas, founder and managing director of HOPE, thanked parents for the confidence they have shown in entrusting their children to the care of the "exceptional and passionate" teachers at HOPE Qatar, and promised to "leave no stone unturned to ensure maximum impact for each child at the centre".
Others who spoke at the occasion included Jumma Ismail al-Boeinein, chairman of HOPE Qatar, and Dr Ciby Mathew, co-founder and former director of HOPE.
