Help, Opportunity, Participation and Education is the motto of HOPE Qatar and the centre is doing justice to it if the initiatives and achievements are taken into account.
Established in 2006, the centre brought changes to the lives of around 250 specially abled students from various countries.
The centre came into existence after efforts were taken up by Dr Rajeev Thomas and his wife Dr Ciby Mathew.
In fact, the idea was conceptualised in 2005 after the couple wanted to educate their child, Stevin Mathew who had Down syndrome.
“We found several others who were struggling with their children with special needs. While their friends, sisters and brothers went to schools, specially abled children were destined to remain inside their houses.
Parents found it difficult to give them education and training due to a host of reasons ranging from lack of adequate facilities to shortage of special schools,” Dr Thomas reminisces. The grim scenario, according to him, wanted intervention and the centre was set up at Indian Club in Doha.
And it was later shifted to Abu Hamour where HOPE authorities managed to set up a centre with adequate facilities.
The centre was extended help from benevolent persons in Qatar and Indian Cultural Centre and officials of Indian embassy.
“Number of students was limited to ten and it was later brought up to 25 after we got a new building,” Dr Thomas said.
At Abu Hamour, HOPE spread its wings to more areas and launched various schemes including after school programme and supplementary academic support programme for students who have learning disabilities. “Some of the regular school goers are in need of support. These programmes are aimed at helping them get rid of disabilities and inadequacies,” he said.
Dr Thomas as well as HOPE staff and functionaries are much glad that the centre could bring remarkable changes in the lives of its students.
Five students completed higher secondary education while HOPE helped another five successfully finish 10th class.
A batch of students completed their diploma in Computer Application after HOPE joined hands with a leading IT training institution in Qatar.
To add to this, Stevin was made Police Sub Inspector for one day by Chennai City Police in India in 2017. “My son’s passion is to become a policeman. We approached Chennai City Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan while we were back home. The police made all arrangements and Stevin acted as Sub Inspector for one day. He was even given a police vehicle and wireless sets while police constables worked under him,” Dr Thomas said.
He believes his son will become a Sub Inspector as HOPE has made him capable to successfully pursue his dreams.
Dr Rajeev Thomas
