Zuhair bin Talha, Mohamed Yasir Salim and Faizan Fareed Patel were busy going through their textbooks in the academic support class room at HOPE (Help, Opportunity, Participation and Education) Qatar Centre for Differently Abled Children and Youth at Abu Hamour.
The specially abled students were making preparations to appear for the secondary examination to be held by National Institute of Open Schooling. The trio is glad as they are set to complete secondary schooling.
Students attend a class at HOPE Qatar Centre for Differently Abled Children and Youth at Abu Hamour.
In fact, HOPE Qatar helped them pursue their dreams by offering education and vocational training. “The centre taught us various languages and computer. It helped us learn new things and improve ourselves,” said Zuhair. The cases of Yasir and Faizan are not much different. The specially abled children are now able to do their exercises and projects and operate computer.
“Now, they have grown as students who can deal with software and prepare presentations,” said HOPE Qatar co-ordinator Geetha Shoji Isaac recalling that some of the students even failed to properly communicate while they were first brought to the centre.
HOPE Qatar has now 25 specially abled students, including those with learning disabilities. They are educated by teachers who are experts in special education.
The centre provides students with academic intervention, assistive intervention and therapies. It offers speech, behaviour, and occupational therapies. Subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Computer Science, and Value Education are given to students in junior, intermediate and senior classes.
Children engaged in activities at the playground of HOPE Qatar Centre for Differently Abled Children and Youth at Abu Hamour.
“HOPE Qatar is committed to ensure that students become social and acquire additional skills apart from securing academic growth. We offer them school environment and give them opportunities to showcase their talents,” said HOPE founder and managing director Dr Rajeev Thomas.
In a bid to help students develop emotionally and socially, HOPE organises annual day celebrations, sports days, exhibitions and field trips. Besides, students are given regular assignments, homework and ICT-based activities that help to hone their academic and technology skills. Besides, regular classes are conducted in karate, yoga and dancing in order to keep the students mentally and physically active.
The daily activities of HOPE Qatar are conducted under the supervision of eight teachers and support staff who are dedicated to work for the specially abled children.
