Fujairah special-needs centre given permanent home after three years of hard work by volunteers

The Rising Sun Centre, staffed by volunteers, is giving children with special needs in Fujairah a vital helping-hand.

The Rising Sun Centre in Fujairah has a permanent home for its work in helping special needs youngsters. Satish Kumar / The National

FUJAIRAH // A group of therapists and medics who have helped special needs children in temporary accommodation for almost three years now have a permanent home.

The Rising Sun Centre is thought to be the first in the emirate that welcomes special needs children from different national, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

“My friend Elza Stevely, a special needs therapist, had started this initiative three years ago in a temporary location with the help and support of the community and friends,” said Jessica Baldh, general manager of the centre.

“We had almost 13 children with different disabilities, whom she was trying to help and encourage their physical and mental development.

“Elza had to leave Fujairah a year ago, and I continued working on obtaining a legal licence to fulfil the dream of having a comprehensive special needs centre,” said Ms Baldh.

The founders of the initiative recently received an Amiri decree issued by the Fujairah Ruler’s Office to support the opening of a non-profit special needs centre.

“We are truly thankful for the support of the Ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, and Sheikha Sarra for giving us this opportunity to keep on with our mission. We are also grateful for the help and support of the Fujairah community and companies,” she added.

Leeba Badu, 27, an Indian speech and language pathologist, is one of the 12 therapists at the centre. She joined three years ago and, since then, has achieved progress in developing the children’s capabilities and parents’ awareness.

“We deal with almost all kinds of disorders and we achieved a lot of progress in so many cases,” she said.

“One of our first students is Abhishir. He is a 14-year-old Indian who suffers from a cerebellar disorder that results in movement disorders that can’t be cured with medicine but with physiotherapy.

“He couldn’t climb up the stairs and hold a pin but now he can write letters and run up and down the stairs. He built a stronger self-esteem and became more social and interactive.”

As a non-profit organisation, Rising Sun relies on community financial assistance. To make a financial contribution or volunteer, contact 09 2224004 or 056 4174968 or email [e-mail].