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The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) and the Qatar Foundation for Social Work have signed a funding agreement to support the Vocational Rehabilitation Programme at Al Shafallah Centre.Through this partnership, DAAM will provide financial support to help deliver a structured programme that offers accredited, competency-based vocational pathways for persons with disabilities.The initiative is designed to build practical and professional skills, strengthen participants’ readiness for the labour market, and connect training outcomes with real employment opportunities.The programme is tailored for Al Shafallah Centre members aged 15-20 and operates through two distinct tracks.The first focuses on individuals with mild to moderate disabilities, equipping them with specialised professional qualifications aligned with the needs of Qatar’s labour market.The second supports persons with severe intellectual disabilities by developing essential workplace readiness, independence, and social adaptation skills.In parallel, the programme includes capacity-building for the Shafallah Centre’s staff to ensure training is delivered effectively according to each participant’s needs.Al Shafallah Centre executive director Fatima al-Saadi expressed her appreciation for the partnership, describing it as a strategic step forward in strengthening vocational rehabilitation services and improving outcomes for persons with disabilities."Empowering persons with disabilities begins with investing in their potential and creating genuine opportunities for them to gain the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said. "This programme reflects that vision by offering specialised pathways that respect individual differences and draw on best practices in vocational rehabilitation.”Al-Saadi noted that the programme follows a comprehensive approach: assessing each participant’s abilities and interests, developing personalised training plans, and working with public and private sector partners to link graduates with suitable employment.The director of Shared Services at DAAM, Yousef al-Nuaimi, underscored the fund’s role in supporting practical empowerment initiatives."At DAAM, we believe that meaningful vocational programmes are essential to opening doors for persons with disabilities in the labour market,” he said. "Our support for Al Shafallah Centre’s programme is a concrete step toward building a generation that can rely on its own abilities and contribute actively to national development.”The agreement forms part of DAAM’s broader mandate, supported by contributions from listed companies on the Qatar Stock Exchange, to advance social development and sustainable initiatives in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.Al Shafallah Centre, under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, is a leading institution dedicated to the rehabilitation and empowerment of persons with disabilities through specialised programmes that foster independence and social inclusion.Since its establishment in 2010, DAAM has supported a wide range of cultural, social, sports, and charitable projects, drawing on the contributions of Qatar’s listed companies as a key source of funding.

His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani honoured 36 graduates of the Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities at a ceremony held Tuesday morning at the centre's headquarters in Doha.The PM presided over the centre's 2026 graduation, joined by a number of ministers, senior Shafallah officials, faculty and administrative staff, and the graduates' families.Executive Director Fatima Saeed al-Saadi said the PM's patronage of the ceremony reflected the close attention Qatar pays to persons with disabilities and its commitment to supporting their path towards empowerment and a fuller role in society.She described the occasion as both national and humanitarian, embodying Qatar's drive to entrench inclusion, equality and equal opportunity in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Graduation, she added, opened a new chapter of contribution, independence and engagement in professional and social life.The centre's work, al-Saadi said, extends the state's wider approach to supporting and empowering persons with disabilities under Vision 2030 and Law No. 22 of 2025 on persons with disabilities, which advances the principles of inclusion, equal opportunity, independence and active participation. Its programmes help translate those goals into practice through specialised educational and rehabilitation services that build members' capabilities and widen their access to learning, work and community life.She noted that the centre continues to prepare its members for employment through integrated educational and rehabilitation programmes, working with partners across the public and private sectors to strengthen their integration into society and the labour market.Shafallah offers a broad range of services tailored to its members' needs — from academic qualification to vocational training and sports and arts activities — with an emphasis on the personal and life skills that enable independence and community participation. It also pursues economic empowerment by readying members for the labour market, with a number of graduates having taken up posts in public and private bodies, reinforcing their job stability and their place in varied working environments.Established in 1999, the Shafallah Center is one of the centres of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work. It provides specialised educational and rehabilitation services for persons with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder, while promoting public awareness of their rights and supporting their opportunities for inclusion and independence. 

Nando’s Qatar recently hosted a number of participants from the Shafallah Centre for Persons with Disabilities, one of the centres operating under the umbrella of the Qatar Social Work Foundation, at the Nando’s restaurant in Tawar Mall.The visit was part of an interactive cooking experience designed to promote inclusion, build confidence, and strengthen community connections.Across two dedicated sessions, Shafallah Centre participants took part in a guided activity titled “Build Your Own Burger,” supervised by the Nando’s team. The experience encouraged creativity, teamwork, and independence in a safe, supportive environment, allowing participants to develop new skills while enjoying the warm, welcoming hospitality Nando’s is known for.**media[426589]**The event extended beyond the kitchen, fostering meaningful human connections between participants and team members and highlighting the importance of inclusion and shared experiences within the communities where Nando’s operates. Each participant also received a certificate of participation and symbolic gifts to commemorate the occasion.The initiative also provided Nando’s team members with the opportunity to engage directly and purposefully with the Shafallah participants, reinforcing the values of social inclusion and collaborative spirit. By creating an environment where every participant felt supported and appreciated, the event demonstrated how simple, yet thoughtful initiatives can create a lasting positive impact.Parents, specialists, and representatives from the Shafallah Centre expressed their appreciation for the experience, noting the confidence and joy it brought to the participants. This partnership highlights the importance of collaboration between the private sector and community institutions in creating inclusive opportunities that empower youth and strengthen social integration.This initiative reflects Nando’s ongoing commitment to supporting and engaging with local communities through meaningful experiences that place people at the heart of its priorities.Venkatesh Jaiswal, COO of Nando’s Qatar, stated: “At Nando’s, we believe our responsibility goes beyond serving great food. It’s about showing up for our community and creating experiences where everyone feels welcome. Our partnership with the Shafallah Centre reflects who we are – a people-first brand that cares.”Tabrez Paloji, head of People at Nando’s Qatar, added: “Inclusivity is not a campaign for us – it’s part of our culture. When we open our doors to experiences like this, we’re not just hosting an activity, we’re creating confidence, dignity, and real human connection. Initiatives like these are part of our ‘Changing People’s Lives’ promise – and that includes the lives of our guests and our own Nandocas.” 

The Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities, one of the centers under the umbrella of Qatar Social Work Foundation, concluded the Al Shafallah Hackathon 2025 under the theme: "Innovate: For an Accessible World." The event was attended by a select group of officials and representatives of partner organizations, along with participants from various schools and universities. Commenting on the occasion, Executive Director of the Shafallah Center, Maryam Saif Al Suwaidi, said that the Shafallah Hackathon represents more than just a technical event, it servs as a national platform aligned with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, which emphasizes human and social development. The event demonstrated how innovation can drive progress and how youth can play a leading role in fostering a more inclusive and empowered society. Al Suwaidi added that organizing the hackathon coincided with World Cerebral Palsy Day, emphasizing the role of the Shafallah Center in supporting global issues from a local perspective and raising community awareness of the importance of facilitating access and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. The event included a short documentary film showcasing the hackathon's highlights and the stages of development of the participating projects. The judging panel and the specialists involved in supervising the teams were also honored for their valuable contributions in guiding the teams through all stages of the hackathon. The Qatar Scientific Club was also recognized for its active partnership and key role in the success of the event. The organizers of the Shafallah Hackathon confirmed that these projects will be pursued within the initiatives of the Center. To embrace outstanding ideas and transform them into practical applications that contribute to serving people with disabilities and promoting social innovation in the State of Qatar. The event saw widespread participation from school and university students, who presented innovative technical and humanitarian solutions covering various fields such as inclusive education, smart mobility, and enhanced communication, reflecting the spirit of initiative and social awareness among the rising generation.

As part of its commitment to fulfilling its social responsibility role and continuing to engage with all sections of the society and school students, Qatar Stars League supported Individual Sports Skills Championship held at Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities, an organisation under the umbrella of Qatar Foundation for Social Work. In the event that took place on Wednesday, representatives from QSL and Shafallah Center were present along with a number of club stars.The event included a variety of recreational activities and attendees took commemorative photos. Gifts were distributed to children enrolled at the center and participants from a number of schools.