The members and officials of Best Buddies Qatar at the Vacation and Rehabilitation Program event.
DOHA: Best Buddies Qatar launched its Vacation and Rehabilitation Program to its officials and members. The program includes various workshops and trainings which are dedicated to improve member’s social and professional potential to be qualified for jobs accordingly to their abilities.
Mohammed Al Sayeed, the Manager of Rehabilitation and Integration Department, said: “Best Buddies Qatar seeks to provide all the facilities for the success of Vacation and Rehabilitation Program for the members with intellectual and developmental disabilities accordingly to the criteria and principles appropriate to their abilities.”
“The program includes professional services, such as: vocational guidance and trainings to enable people with disabilities to invest their energy and skills to reach the maximum level of independence in accordance with the Convention on the Human Rights of People with Disabilities, signed by the State of Qatar, and in accordance to the principles of sustainable human development of the vision 2030 and other domestic and international legal instruments,” Al Sayeed added.
Fatima Al Tamimi, Head of Disabilities Unit, emphasised: “Vacation and Rehabilitation Program foresees the trainings of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through six workshops we are going to conduct.”
Workshops will be based on Functional Skills training which aims to develop communication abilities in the work environment; Life Skills training which is focused on providing them with the maximum level of independence and obtaining desirable social behaviours; Art and Drama workshops aim to develop technical skills and self-expression; Sports classes aim to develop motor skills.
Computer classes target to acquire and develop abilities to use various computer programs; Yoga training which provides the balance between mind and body through breathing and movement techniques and office enrichment skills training to provide Best Buddies Qatar members diverse experience to reach the desired behaviour and development through exploring of different fields based on their acquirement.
Laalei Abu Alfain, the Executive Director of Best Buddies Qatar, said: “The year of 2018 will witness numerous activities and programs aimed to integrate people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities into society, in cooperation with governmental and non-governmental entities in Qatar.”
“Vacation and Rehabilitation Program will improve skills of people with disabilities to achieve functional, social and financial independence, as well as, empowering and integrating people with disabilities into society and enhancing their self-confidence through the planning and implementation of appropriate to their needs programs,” she added.
Families of Best Buddies Qatar members confirmed that this program will have a positive and constructive influence that serves a large sector of people with disabilities.
Salama Seyam, father of a 20-year-old Best Buddies Qatar member Aisha, said: “My daughter has an intellectual and developmental disability and she has been a member of Best Buddies Qatar for six years. She is very happy to participate in such a program that qualifies her for the job market and gives he the opportunity to apply her skills in computer work and to become a bigger contribution to the society.”
At the end of the program presentation, parents had a tour to workshops and training facilities of Best Buddies Qatar premises. They expressed their appreciation and gladness of the efforts determined by the organisation to fulfil its mission to integrate people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities into community.
Best Buddies Qatar is a governmental non-profitable organisation that comes under the umbrella of Qatar Foundation for Social Work which aims to enhance life of people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities through social integration and one-to-one long lasting meaningful friendships.
