New state-of-the-art centre for disabled children to be set up in Oman

Muscat: A new state-of-the art centre is being designed for the Association of Early Intervention to help young children with disabilities.

The Association signed a contract with Khimji Ramdas Construction at a ceremony on Thursday, 29 August, for the centre which will be constructed on a sprawling 15,000 square metre plot of land that was donated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

This will help the association to continuously provide early intervention services to every child with developmental challenges and will enable them to reach their potential for independence and inclusion in society.

The building will be designed by Muamir Design and Engineering Consultancy pro-bono as a gift to the association. It will be the first centre of excellence in Oman that is capable of providing comprehensive rehabilitation and disability-related services and training for the entire country.

Director of Khimji Ramdas, Hritik Khimji, said, "We are delighted to support the Association of Early Intervention for Children with Disability to build their new centre of excellence. Our team of qualified engineers and construction experts are eager to make a meaningful contribution to the association's objective of building a world class resource providing rehabilitation to children with special needs.

He added: “Eshraqa, Khimji Ramdas' social development arm will continue to support the association in integrating differently abled children into mainstream society the Association currently serves children from Muscat, as well a number of families from other parts of Oman. They provide holistic rehabilitation services for children from infancy to age nine, after which they integrate them into schools and specialised centres.”

According to the Association of Early Intervention's CEO, Sabah Al Bahlani, “The association aims not to simply treat the children's disabilities, but to empower them as people, regardless of the challenges they encounter. We support their families by providing them the tools and training to care for and assist their children. Many people only see bleak circumstances; we see hope and possibility, and help children and their families to see it, too."

The Chairperson of the Association of Early Intervention, Rahama Al Musharafi stated, “The association worked on the principle upholding the right of children with disabilities to live with dignity and equality. We seek to provide programmes that will help them achieve the highest degree of independence, self-reliance and integration into society.

Furthermore she urged companies, individuals, and the community at large to support the cause with donations.