A ray of hope for juveniles in Muscat

Equestrian Wednesday 16/March/2016 18:12 PM
By: Times News Service
A ray of hope for juveniles in Muscat

The experiences of our lives often teach us who we are and what is the real purpose of our existence. They may change our thinking, our goals, and sometimes even the way we perceive life. Muneera bint Salim Al Busaidi, a young girl in her 20s and a graduate in business administration, is an inspiration for many, for her virtue of giving and sharing. Making the less fortunate feel happy, lessening their pain and grief, Muneera puts forward a strong statement for the section which is more or less marginalised in our society — the juveniles.
Muneera herself had faced many challenges in life and have been through many pressures and psychological crisis at crucial points in her life. She recently lost her brother, whom she was closest to. Starting her career as a PR executive, she moved on to join the Ministry of Social Development as overseer at the Juvenile Home for Females. She felt she could be of immense help in understanding the inmates and their fears, pressures and insecurities in a personal level.
“It was quite a challenge being an overseer. Unlike most of the other jobs, I had to deal with human beings, who were not mature, and could not decide the good and bad for them. I took my time, and gradually developed an intimate bond with the children, as they began accepting me. Soon I was their elder sister,” said Muneera.
The group of overseers in the juvenile home organises several programmes for the juveniles including cultural activities, information technology courses, and teaching them school subjects. But Muneera had bigger plans for the children, and she always wondered how to keep them engaged during their free time. “I did not want them to sit idle. It is the emptiness that brings back the horrors. I wanted to somehow ensure that they are happily engaged in doing something productive,” Muneera added.
It was then when she came across an artiste who was skilled in making frames, paintings, and other handicrafts. Having an inclination for handicrafts, especially the Omani accessories, right from her childhood days she herself took a training in accessory making and jewellery designing.
And that’s when she got the idea of taking this art to the juvenile home. She organised workshops on jewellery designing to teach the inmates. “I was surprised to find their inclination towards learning the art. Through the workshop we discovered such talent and creativity among them that one could not have imagined at all,” she said.
It was not just for the women, even male juveniles attended the workshop and involving in these activities help them relieve their stress and other psychological problems.
“I feel pure joy and contentment whenever I am among them,” said Muneera. Having worked with the juveniles and their problems it has been a personal growth for Muneera. “Earlier I used to be very impatient. But spending time here has taught me the virtue of being patient and take responsibility. It is not just a job for me. Rather it is a unique experience of my life that has transformed me entirely, making me more social and teaching me to love, and be loved by sharing and caring”.
Muneera plans to harness the vocation and establish it as a full fledged business, creating proper opportunities for the inmates, in near future. “Juveniles are part of us, and we should not forget that every individual is essential to build a healthy and self-sufficient society. Let’s give them another chance. They deserve it by all means,” she concluded. —[email protected]