More than 100 children with special needs enjoyed a fun-filled day of games, activities, and storytelling at the Bahrain for All Fun Day at Seef Mall Muharraq. The event aimed to raise awareness about the public’s duty to engage with differently-abled individuals and help create equal opportunities for all.
It was organised by Bahrain for All, an organisation which aims to foster unity and harmony amongst the Kingdom’s various communities, in conjunction with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), UCO Rehabilitation Centre, Special Needs Families Support (SFS) and the Regional Institute of Autism (RIA). The fun day offered the children a variety of activities, including yoga, painting, games, and a dress-up talent show.
Renowned Bahraini entertainer Um Hilal delighted the children with an Arabic storytelling session, which was translated into English and into English and Arabic sign language.
“The UNDP realises its responsibility in raising awareness to ensure that people with disabilities are able to live independently and still be included within the community,” said Amin El Sharkawi, Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator, and UNDP Resident Representative in Bahrain. “It is important to have proper criteria for categorising different types of disabilities so we can develop suitable targeted programmes. Sponsorship and community-based activities go in line with the national commitment towards the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Devoting such activities to these groups of people is, undoubtedly, an enlightened sign of inclusion.”
Samir Imtair Aldarabi, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Director, added: “I sincerely thank and appreciate the Government of Bahrain, particularly HRH the Prime Minister for all his support to such noteworthy causes. Persons with disabilities have generally poorer health, lower education achievements and fewer economic opportunities than people without disabilities due to the lack of services available to them and the many obstacles they face in their everyday lives. Building a sustainable, inclusive world for all requires full engagement from people of all abilities. I highly commend everyone involved for organising such a wonderful event which provides an opportunity for these very special children to enjoy themselves and showcase their talents while simultaneously raising awareness of their needs.”
The highlight of the event was a talk by Mayor Frank Letch of Credition, Devon, who was born with just a short left arm and received an MBE in 2015 for his work with various charities. “It is of paramount importance to offer children with learning difficulties an educational environment in which they feel safe and loved, so that they may acquire the skills necessary to become productive members of society. I commend HRH the Prime Minister of Bahrain for supporting such initiatives that support the special needs community in raising awareness,” he said while addressing the audience via Skype. “When people understand that we need acceptance and not pity, we can overcome prejudice and general misinformation about differently-abled people and become accepted as an important part of our communities.”
Also in attendance were Fadia Haroon, Founder of Special Needs Families Support (SFS); Christine Gordon, Founder of the Regional Institute for Autism (RIA); Basma Buradha, Princpal of UCO Rehabilitation Centre; Claire Carley, a special needs teacher at SFS; and members of the media and VIPs.
The event was sponsored by Seef Mall Muharraq, Manama Printing Press, Hussain Mohammed Showaiter Sweets, Technographics, Showtech, Talking Pictures, Acquacool, Perceptions Corporate Communications & PR, Artzania and Badawi Restaurant.