Children with special needs affiliated to different institutes spread across the UAE now stand to benefit from a proactive role being played by an enterprising private sector entity in its quest to put the children on the path of self-dependence.

For the last two years, Villa, Rimal and Rihab Rotana, a popular hotel chain, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), have been hosting training programmes for children with special needs belonging to the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre.

The training project under the banner of “Our Future By Us For Us,” has been a boon for 9 selected candidates with special needs from the Centre. The programme aims to encourage children with special needs to contribute their skills in shaping the development of society.

Kinan Al Ghraoui, general manager of the Villa, Rimal and Rihab Rotana chain of hotels commenting on the ongoing project, said, “After completion of 3 months’ training, the candidates get graduation certificates recognising their training, which also help them acquire jobs in the market after completion of their studies at the Rashid Centre.”

“One of our responsibilities at Villa, Rimal and Rihab Rotana is to encourage humanitarian activities that would contribute to the development of our society. As much as each one of us harbours a dream, so do people with special needs. This project was initiated in 2009 to help such children realise their dreams and the first batch has proved that nothing is impossible,” he added.

Imane Guennioui, Marketing and Communications executive at the hotel chain, while talking to The Gulf Today, said, “Under the current CSR activity, each one of the three properties is accommodating 3 students in a 3-month training programme in different departments like housekeeping, food & beverage and human resources. During their training stints, the students report to their respective department’s supervisors who have put in place training schedules and who make sure the trainees complete their assigned tasks.” 

Maryam Othman, general manager of Rashid Centre said the co-operation between the Rashid Centre and Rotana has contributed to the rehabilitation of children with special needs. This has been achieved by helping them acquire new skills, being more independent and achieving real integration with society.”

“I am very thankful to Villa, Rimal and Rihab Rotana for their loyalty, patience and dedication. This programme has given our children a great opportunity to be trained at three hotels of a leading hospitality management company in the Mena region,” he added.