'More than ceremony': UAE minister honours 50 people of determination upon graduating
The Ministry of Family held a special ceremony at the Cultural Centre in Ajman to honour 50 students, all of whom completed training at disability care and rehabilitation centres across the UAE.
The graduates came from Dubai, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Dibba Fujairah. For the first time, they were joined by students from the 'Mashaghel Rehabilitation Centres' vocational training programme, creating a shared celebration of hard work and progress.
Sana Suhail, Minister of Family, honoured each graduate personally. These students had taken a path that required strength, not just physically, but emotionally. Through their academic and professional training, they showed that disabilities do not stop dreams. Their journey has become an example for many others.
She praised the graduates for their determination and commitment. She emphasised that this achievement stands as a testament to their unwavering will and the profound positive impact of these programmes, which aim to build a more inclusive and equitable society.
'The event was more than a ceremony. It was a sign of what's possible when people of determination are given support and encouragement. It showed the importance of believing in their abilities and creating spaces where they can learn, grow, and contribute,' she said.
The ceremony was a celebration and reinforcement of inclusion and empowerment. It highlighted the importance of investing in the capabilities of people of determination and providing a supportive environment for them to contribute effectively to the nation's development. It also showcases the Ministry of Family's important work in promoting social inclusion and ensuring equal access to education, healthcare, and jobs for people of determination, in line with the National Policy for Empowering Persons with Disabilities.
The Ministry of Family operates several rehabilitation centres for people of determination across different emirates, including Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Dibba Al-Fujairah.
These centres work with individuals aged 4 to 18, offering customised education and training. Once students complete the programme, they can move into vocational work, take on small projects, or prepare to enter the job market.
One programme, called the 'Mashaghel Rehabilitation Centres Programme,' gives people of determination training in entrepreneurship and home-based business skills. It helps them work towards independence and learn how to run their own small projects or businesses from home.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
26 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
'Like gift for a best friend': UAE volunteers pack 10,000 school kits for low-income students
The sound of tape ripping, boxes opening and instructions being called out filled the air as hundreds of volunteers worked side-by-side in Abu Dhabi on Friday, packing school bags for children from low-income families ahead of the new academic year. More than 450 volunteers, including 80 Aldar employees, came together at Nabat Al Falah to assemble 10,000 school kits as part of the 'Volunteer Emirates — Back to School' initiative, organised by Dubai Cares in partnership with Aldar. The bags will be distributed through nine partner schools and charities across all seven emirates. Beneficiaries include charity-run and private schools, as well as students from low-income families enrolled in government schools. 'This year we expanded from seven to nine partners (schools and charitable organisations),' said Abdulla Ahmed Al Shehhi, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Cares. 'We're reaching more communities, and it's not just charity schools; it's families who need the support, wherever their children are enrolled.' In a first for the initiative, school bags were customised by gender: purple and white for girls, and green and black for boys. 'We wanted to make the pupils feel even more special,' Al Shehhi said. Long-time volunteer Shalin Kaladharan, who was managing the packaging team, said the colour-coded bags added an extra 'happy factor' this year. 'We tell the volunteers to think of this as making a gift for a best friend — imagine the smile you want them to have,' he said, overseeing a checklist to ensure each bag contained sketchbooks, notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, scales and coloured pencils. By mid-morning, volunteers had already packed 3,500 of the 10,000 kits, which were being loaded directly onto trucks for delivery. For first-time volunteer Ahmad Shahin, assistant Vice President in Aldar's strategic sourcing team, the experience was about more than just packing stationery. 'Contributing to a good cause is the best feeling you might have,' he said, while packing marker pens at one of the assembly stations. Shahin brought along his sons, aged 8 and 12, to take part. 'I wanted to have the feeling that I play a crucial role in organising things and contributing to a good cause,' said 12-year-old Shihab. 'My heart flutters with joy even with the smallest things, like repacking pencils or glue sticks. The quality of the bags is amazing, and it feels rewarding to be part of this.' Volunteer Emirates – Back to School has been running for more than a decade, with previous editions also supporting children in developing countries. In recent years, Dubai Cares has focused on the initiative locally. 'This is one of our most popular volunteer programmes because education touches everyone,' Al Shehhi said. 'When you see people coming together, from children to the elderly, it makes you proud of the community spirit we have in the UAE.' The school kits will reach students through partners including Al Ihsan Charity Association, Al Etihad Charity Foundation, National Charity School, Hemaya School, The School of Tolerance, Al Tafawq Private School, Al Dhaid Private School, and Umm Al Qura Private School.
Dubai Eye
6 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
UAE air drops more aid to Gaza
The UAE has carried out its 71st air drop of aid under "Birds of Goodness" operation on Thursday, continuing its humanitarian support for Palestinians in Gaza. The shipment included essential food supplies with support from UAE-based charities to help meet the needs of residents amid the difficult humanitarian conditions in the Strip. The total amount of aid delivered by air under the operation since its launch on February 29, 2024, has exceeded 3,956 tonnes of food and essential aid, highlighting the UAE's commitment to support Palestinians. The airdrops are conducted under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, with joint efforts from Jordan, Germany, Italy, Belgium and France.
Gulf Today
6 hours ago
- Gulf Today
UAE conducts 71st airdrop of aid over Gaza Strip
The United Arab Emirates is continuing its humanitarian support for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, today carrying out its 71st airdrop of aid under Operation Birds of Goodness, part of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, in cooperation with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and with the participation of Germany, Italy, Belgium, and France. The shipment included quantities of essential food supplies, prepared with the support of UAE-based charitable institutions and entities, to meet the needs of residents amid the difficult humanitarian conditions in the Strip. With the completion of this airdrop, the total amount of aid delivered by air under the operation has exceeded 3,956 tonnes of various relief items, including food and essential supplies, underscoring the UAE's steadfast commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and bolstering their resilience. These initiatives reflect the UAE's leading role in international relief work, by mobilising regional and international efforts and promoting a humanitarian giving approach to alleviate the suffering of those affected in crisis areas. WAM
