The programme was implemented in collaboration with the Child Development Centre (CDC), and held weekly during July and August 2018.
CDC’s professional staff provided specialised training that included cooking classes, games, gym lessons, and activities to boost motor skills that would help people carry out household chores with increased independence.
The certificates were awarded to the five participants by Dr Saleh bin Ali al-Marri, assistant secretary general for Medical Affairs at the Ministry of Public Health.
Sultana Afdhal, CEO of WISH, said, “seeing these five young people successfully complete this short but vigorous training course is not only rewarding but a huge step towards building inclusive communities in Qatar, where every individual is an active and productive member of society.”
Since its inception, WISH has made mental health and well-being a priority area for research, training, and community engagement programmes. Research carried out by WISH identified a need for the Young Adults’ Life Skills Camp, and support from Oxy Qatar made it possible to build a programme that utilised the expertise of CDC.
Andrew H Kershaw, president and general manager of Oxy Qatar, said, “ At Occidental, everywhere we work and everywhere we live and operate, strive to give back to the local community, and so we are delighted to be able to support the initiative.”
Oxy Qatar’s director of Qatarisation and Social Responsibility chair Yousuf Buhindi was present.
Hasna Nada, founder and CEO, CDC, said she was impressed with the participants’ eagerness to learn and the positive response to the coaching they received, saying: “For adults who face the challenges of autism, routine and repetition is key to teaching them confidence when it comes to managing everyday tasks such as handling money or preparing food.”
