Special needs children graduates to complete training in three hotels
By Jamil Khan @ The Gulf Today-Sharjah, Oct 25, 2013
DUBAI: A group of twelve students with special needs from the Rashid Centre for Disabled had received graduation certificates after completed their training at three Rotana hotels – Villa, Rihab and Rimal – in a dazzling ceremony.
The chief guest at the ceremony was Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum, board member of Rashid Centre for Disabled, Kinan Al Ghraoui the general manager of the three hotels, Mariam Othman, general manager of the centre among other distinguished dignitaries, parents and partners held at Villa Rotana.
It was the fourth group of special needs children who completed 6-8 months professional training in any of three partnered hotel since 2009.
This humanitarian project, which was the first in the world of hotels in the UAE, was launched in 2009 in collaboration between each of Villa Rotana, Rimal Rotana and Rihab Rotana in Dubai and Rashid Center for Disabled. The aim of the project in principle is receiving on a yearly basis, in each hotel, three students from Rashid Centre. The students are selected by the centre’s management to receive six to eight months training in the workplace hotel under the supervision of the centre social assistance and the human resources of the hotels.
The graduation ceremony was held at Villa Rotana – Dubai, where speeches by Mr. Al Maktoum commented that “for the fourth consecutive year partnering with Villa Rotana, Rihab Rotana and Rimal Rotana in graduating our students with special needs who have been trained in these hotels and gained valuable experience which certainly added value to their personal development, gave them self-confidence and a sense of deep support to their community, moreover, our students have acquired through this professional experience a real vocation which can help them to rely on themselves in the future and to be more independent.”
Al Ghraoui the General Manager of the three hotels, welcomed Al-Maktoum and thanked the event partners Channel 4 Radio Network, KidZania Dubai and Wild Wadi Waterpark for their support and collaboration, stressing the desire of everyone to accomplish this event, especially students who have worked since the beginning of the school year.
“Our first and last mission has been and continues to be contributing to the community by creating a new idea to help children to rely more on themselves and draw a smile on their faces,” Al Ghraoui said.
He further said that they were proud of the new batch graduating today who proved their ability, determination and perseverance defying the odds and achieving success. “Together, we must put our feelings to actions to achieve a better life for all.
Later a group of children with special needs from the centre presented a play and attended the awarding ceremony.
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Jamil Khan -- The Journalist 