Counselling for Mothers

The Hope Centre presents their second signature event MIND, BODY AND SOUL.

♥️One for the Blessed Moms♥️

We’ve all had moments when life’s demands left us feeling stressed and scattered. In these moments, it’s helpful to have some simple tools to help us gain composure and come back to our center.

Join the Hope Center for FREE to destress through various methods:

🔸Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

🔸Vision Boards

🔸Yoga for a calming meditation

🔸Zumba to release your “feel good chemicals”.

Learn through a board certified therapist how to overcome bouts of depression and anxiety.

First preference will be for moms of children with special needs and then for those moms who are depressed in general.

HOPE Summer of Therapies

HOPE for Exceptional Needs is running a unique pilot program for this summer starting on the 10th of July 2016.

📍A summer of therapies strictly one-on-one basis offering intensive training.

📍Two months of skill acquisition and development in all therapuetic areas.

📍Call, message or whatsapp on:

056 663 1176

056 695 6887

📍Email:

Info@hopeksa.org

📍Transportation available

 

Learning Compassion Through Animals

The decision to adopt a pet is a big one, and should be taken with a great deal of thought about the responsibility involved and the care that has to be provided. The upside is that not only adults but children too learn a lot from caring for a pet. In our latest blog post, Jeddah Blog’s animal lover and Founder of Pets in Need Sonja Svensek discusses the ways in which adopting a pet positively affects the lives of their owners.

What it takes to have a big heart

Two years ago a medium sized Maltese mix was brought to us by a group of workers who had found him and were unable to keep him. Word got round quickly that we are animal lovers and would never refuse an animal in need, so it was common that we were either brought unwanted pets to us or others dumped outside our home. People have always asked me what it takes to have ‘big heart’ to help animals. I never quite understood the question since it’s a natural instinct for me and many other animal lovers to do whatever we can to help a pet in need. “You are a compassionate person!”, they’d say. However people might not realize that compassion can be taught and inspired onto others. The more we instill this in our household especially around younger children, the more they grow up to be more in tune and connected to other beings.

Children and pets

Studies have shown that having a pet at home decreases depression, increases feelings of joy and a sense of well-being. A pet teaches us a lot in relation to responsibility and how someone else’s needs can be fulfilled. A pet also shows us that they have feelings too, they cry, they feel pain and they can feel happy too. It doesn’t become just about ‘us’ but also another beings life that is dependent on us.  Children learn what it means to care for a pet, by feeding it, playing with it and caring for it. They start to learn what makes the pet happy and slowly understand that certain behaviors trigger certain actions.  There are also many health benefits linked to owning a pet. A study in the Journal of Pediatrics shows that children who had a dog during the first year of their life had higher immune response, with 31% fewer respiratory tract infections than those without.

Children with autism, other spectrum disorders or ADHD can experience lowered blood pressure and better cognitive and communication gains when able to participate in therapy dog programs.

Pets and Disabilities

More help centers in Saudi Arabia are introducing animals in their healing programs with children as children respond quicker and show more progress when there is a animal involved in their learning process.

A family I know adopted a disabled dog to teach their children that disabilities are not to be feared, judged or criticized. The children both under the age of 12, bonded with their dog so well that the parents have noticed a change in their view towards other people. These will be children growing up with a better understanding of how we might all be different, but that we are equal.

Though more and more research suggests that animals instill compassion and connection in children, it is important to note that pets should never be bought as a gift for anyone, and should be thoroughly discussed with the person or family in question beforehand. Sadly on the other side of the spectrum, there are also parents who buy a kitten for their child where the child treats the kitty as a toy and instead of learning about responsibilities of caring for him/her, they gain feelings of power and strength over another helpless being. This is where animal abuse and neglect can start-that there aren’t any responsible adults to guide and support the proper caring and nurturing of pets at home.

If you are considering adopting a pet, all family members need to be involved in the decision process to better prepare and understand what each one can do to help and what each will be responsible for. There is no denying that owning a pet is one of the most rewarding things in life but it does take genuine good willed effort. I personally don’t like the term ‘owning a pet’ since they are not objects nor property we can use, so it’s helpful to change our outlook that instead of owning a pet, we choose to care for a pet.

Pets in schools

According to the Tolerance Project website, it’s not only through pets at home that compassion can be taught. Schools should introduce children to pets as part of the curriculum. Children learn about race, how different coloured cats don’t make them any different than another coloured cat and so on. They also learn to develop their curiosity, by learning about pets eating habits, the environment they live in, the care that’s is required and so on.

It is no surprise then that some schools even have their own school ‘pets’ commonly guinea pigs or hamsters in the classroom where the children take it in turns to handle the animal, as well as change its water and give it food. When I was a child our class had a hamster. Over time, we learnt how to trust the pet and being trusted in return, and were allowed to take the hamster home for the weekend. I felt such a sense of pride and responsibility knowing that I was chosen to take the class hamster home for the weekend that I couldn’t sleep; waking up every few hours to check that he was alight.

That sense of purpose instilled in me affected me in a beautiful way that few months later upon insisting to my parents that I wanted a hamster of my own, I got one. Gizmo was my first pet and I loved nothing more than playing with him and being with him whenever possible. I also got used to the tough side of things, the parts most children and some adults alike find tedious, though very necessary; like the part that involves cleaning its cage, and changing the water and so on but over time I learnt about cause and effect, responsibility and the fact that this live and breathing creature was relying completely on me.

Having a pet as a child also taught me about detachment; that even though I gained a best friend in my pet, I didn’t own him, and that one-day he too would pass away. It was a difficult time when my furry friend passed away, but I was blessed to have had the year that I did with him. The pain never gets easier when another pet dies, but I have been able to deal with the situation more realistically in my adult years thanks to the very first pet I had when I was a child. 

There is still a stigma attached to having a pet at home, but it’s positive to see this slowly changing in this society. Owning a pet is a big, and sometimes a costly, responsibility. A pet should always be treated as part of your family and not just for when it’s convenient, cute or small.

While not every child who is cruel to a pet grows up to be a criminal, there is a strong correlation between cruel behavior toward animals and lack of empathy for human beings

Learning Compassion in Adulthood

Even if a household doesn’t consist of children, it is never too late to learn compassion in adulthood. Psychology reviews state that it is possible to change our mindset and learn to care and feel empathy for others even in later years. Just like we can train people to hurt, injure or abuse an animal, we can turn this around to train them how to be more caring. But learning about suffering is not enough. It’s important that children and adults alike, talk about their feelings and understand what they are feeling to better understand feelings of others.

It is far more complex and very different from individual to individual as to why they abuse animals, but the notion that it can be stopped and at times even trigger guilt and remorse in them is possible. According to the American library Association article entitled ‘Be kind to Animals’, it is more beneficial to start inspiring and teaching the young in being kind to animals, because ..”By the time they exhibit cruel behavior toward animals it is often very difficult to change that behavior, making it essential that adults in every part of the community help children learn to treat animals with kindness. While not every child who is cruel to a pet grows up to be a criminal, there is a strong correlation between cruel behavior toward animals and lack of empathy for human beings.”

Compassion starts at home, and animals should not be used as punching bag or experiment tool for this. Education, love in action and getting children as well as adults involved in the process of caring, rescuing and helping animals can grow more compassionate beings.

Selflessness, Gratitude and Appreciation

The more we, as a collective society teach our children, our neighbours and perhaps our elders too, that animals have a soul, feel pain and should not be treated as ‘things’, the more we will have a better understanding of ourselves and each other including the environment we live in. This brings forth gratitude, the appreciation of helping a helpless being at the mercy of your hands, the gratitude in knowing that this is not being done for any monetary, status or ego driven rewards, but rather much deeper and bigger more meaningful act of kindness, which can inspires compassion in other too.

2nd Annual Pediatric Screening

Project Mercy of Madinah and Hope Center are teaming up for the Second Annual Pediatric screening event to be held in Madinah on the 25th and 26th of December, 2015.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to go to AdDaar hospital right across from Masjid Quba, and enquire about their child’s development, regardless of whether they have already been diagnosed or not. The screening is completely free of charge.

Uzma Raheem, director of Hope Center says, “Residents of Madinah, here is your chance to avail diagnostic and therapeutic consultancy for free for your child. If your child has problems in behaviour, speech, reading, writing, walking, medical or psychological, join the event at Al Daar Hospital, opposite Masjid Quba.”

 

 

 

What about the Moms?

It is all too easy to forget about the Carer, the person who is expected to keep it all together 24/7. For the first time, an event was arranged for mothers of children with special needs at the HOPE Center in April.  Moms were taken completely by surprise with the events of the day as they were pampered and indulged, and returned home feeling calmer and happier, ready to face a new day.

Between 9am-1pm, mothers were guided through a series of events which included counselling activities, group discussion and relaxation. The energy levels gradually increased over the morning, reaching a crescendo with a Zumba session. Thanks to generous sponsorship from local companies, the ladies went home with an ample goodie bag along with a sense of rejuvenation.

The schedule for the day had deliberately been kept secret so as to surprise the mothers, who came with open-minds and open hearts.

Uzma Raheem, The Center Director, said: “We hope this will be a first in a series of workshops for the parents. Our aim is to continue to provide psycho-education, boost morale and build support between the mothers.

Head of student affairs and counseling, Kim Lyon, said: “We did a pre- and post-test to see the change in the mothers’ moods.  The forms showed a significant increase in positive feelings, which was very rewarding for us.

“Every lady who attended said they would like to see more of such workshops, and we believe that these can make a big difference to their general well-being. It is exciting to be facilitating such programs here in Jeddah.”

If you were one of the moms present, we would love to hear your thoughts. Drop a quick comment to let us know. Or even if you were not there, what do you think of this initiative?

Summer Camp: Summer of Therapies

HOPE- For Exceptional Needs presents a one of a kind school for kids this summer.

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✦ Speech Therapy
✦ Physiotherapy
✦ Occupational Therapy (sensory integrated activities)
✦ Therapeutic Sessions (for learning difficulties)

❗ Independent outpatient sessions for the same are open for children in mainstream schools requiring additional assistance in specialized areas.

❯ BOOK YOUR SPOT
Email: info@hopeksa.org
Call us: 0566956887 / 0566631176 / 0598599573

Project Mercy: A FREE Screening Event

Project Mercy of Madinah Munawwarah and the HOPE Center in Jeddah present to you the first ever Pediatric Therapeutic Screening Event.

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Date: 28 March, 2015

Time: 8am-3pm

Location: Ad-Daar Hospital (right across the street from Masjid Quba in Madinah Munawwarah)

If you’d like to volunteer, please sign up with name and time slot of your availability. We are looking for more translators and responsible teens to help out with siblings. (For teens, please include age).

There is also space left if you’d like your child to be screened (quick consult with specialists/professionals)

Questions? Confirmations? Email them to madinah@itherapies.info

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Hope Receives 3rd Grant from Boeing

Jeddah Blog was truly honoured to receive an invitation to HOPE – For Exceptional Needs’ award ceremony in February, whereby Hope was bestowed its third grant from Boeing. Having visited the HOPE Centre last in the summer of 2014, I was pleasantly surprised to note many improvements from the construction (such as the bridge between both buildings), to the facilities provided to children (for example the much-improved library and the sensory room).

The event itself was not only very well-organised, but I was struck by the politeness, helpfulness and hospitality of all of the Hope staff present. There was a great degree of attention to detail in the table settings, flower arrangements, food menu, down to the perfectly sharpened pencils and writing pads placed on each table for note-taking purposes.

Reclaim Your Heart by Yasmin Mogahed

For a very good cause, obtain your very own signed copy of Reclaim Your Heart, personal insights on breaking free from life’s shackles, by Yasmin Mogahed.

All funds will be used for children with special needs at Hope – for Exceptional Needs.

 

 

 

Free Screening for Children at Hope for Exceptional Needs

As a continuation of its tireless efforts, the Hope Centre is holding a free screening event for parents who feel that there may be some problems with their child’s speech, posture, reading, writing or memory.

This should come as welcome relief to parents who suspect their child may be struggling in any of the above areas, and would like a professional opinion on the condition of their child. Hope will also be conducting diagnostics to check if any child is on the spectrum or displaying sings of ADHD, or any other kind of disability or disorder of any kind.

What is free screening?

Free screening means assessing your child to see if he/she has any kind of disability or disorder or delay in milestones. Since there is no lab or blood test to tell if your child may have a developmental delay, speech or physical problem the screening will help tell, if your child needs to see a specialist for further tests.

What happens in free screening?

The child gets diagnosed to find out if s/he has any developmental delay, speech, physical or psychological problem.

How does it help?

When any disability is not recognized early, it becomes difficult for children to get the help they need. Many children have delays in language and/or other areas. But, less than half of the children with problems are identified before starting school. During this time, if the child could have received help for these problems he/she may have entered school more ready to learn.

Who needs screening?

Children who show hyperactivity and attention problems, have problems with reading, spellings and retaining matter, writing problems like illegible writing, children showing delay in speech and delay in physical milestones are the people who need screening.

What are HOPE doing?

The Hope Centre is conducting a simple diagnosis for the children to find out whether they need any sort of assistance in the 4 major areas of speech, physiotherapy, psychological and educational.

They are also conducting IQ testing and checking to diagnose for any kind of disability or disorder.

The event is open to all. Call the Hope Centre to book a slot. All details are in the flyer above.

Uzma Raheem – A Beacon of Hope for Children with Exceptional Needs

In this blog post, I am particularly proud to be able to introduce you to a lady who has, and continues to inspire me and countless others. Her non-stop positive attitude is infectious and the sheer energy, determination, drive and passion she draws upon and imparts to those around her makes me wonder whether she might just be super-human. Uzma Raheem is a force of nature, and a shining source of support and hope to many families here in Jeddah. Jeddah Blog writer Anousha Vakani sat down with Uzma earlier this month to chat with her about the inception and growth of the Hope Center, its success stories and the challenges she faces.

Uzma Raheem after winning her 9th International award in 15 years.

The Hope Center needs little introduction – the people of Jeddah, the rest of KSA and even abroad have watched it grow from a summer programme held in a tiny apartment to a full-fledged multi-cultural institute that has won a total of nine international awards in just fifteen years. Yet, the Center’s founder and directress, Uzma Raheem, speaks to us about the Center’s growth with paramount humility. She is not oblivious to the lives she has touched but her pride lies in the teamwork and dedication that is the foundation of this ‘life-skills institute,’ as she prefers to call it.

Baking activity with the children.

She admits that not even in her wildest dreams did she imagine that her efforts would grow to this magnitude. Even receiving a licence from the Ministry was inconceivable, let alone gaining both national and international recognition and awards. However, she says the Center is not just about her efforts, “it is a community project, a joint effort with so many supporters and well-wishers. We have very dedicated, compassionate staff and in fifteen years we have managed to establish our credibility in the market so yes, people know that Hope for Exceptional Needs does deliver.” However, it’s not an easy task – one struggle is that of finding trained staff. The Center started off with just two or three volunteers at one time working with an average of six to nine students. It has grown to a full-sized institute with fifty staff members but it is still a struggle. One reason for this, Uzma Raheem notes is that, “universities are churning out students but guess what? They’re taking their degrees and working in other fields that pay more. You cannot get into this field with a commercial mindset, especially if you’re working with disabled children. You’ve got to have the compassion as well. If you’re thinking of the rewards of both this life and the after, then yes, come in to this field where the salary may not be that high but the job satisfaction is tremendous.”

The children with their toys.

The job satisfaction is another factor we discuss, and her contentment is hard to misplace. She mentions the success stories, of fourteen children who have been integrated into mainstream education, one who has gotten a job and one who has gotten married. “Three children came into the center who could not even walk and today when I see them running in the hallways, I think my heart leaps behind them. I sleep with a lot of peace in my heart. It’s that fantastic.” When asked about the struggles that come with her job, she sighs and admits that there are many, as with any other job. “Apart from the financial aspect and the shortage of resources, I have to say the children are the easiest part of my job. One of the most difficult parts is actually dealing with the parents. While some parents come in with this wealth of knowledge and acceptance of what their child is going through, and that’s half of our job done – when the parents meet us midway – some parents are, unfortunately less educated or educated and in denial or under severe depression – those are the families that are a challenge to work with, but it is part of the package.”

Martial arts training at the Center.

Among others, the center offers physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy and speech and hearing therapy. While they do not set an age limit, Uzma Raheem encourages parents to admit their children as early as possible. “A young child is like freshly kneaded dough and you can mould them out into any shape you want, whereas an older child is like slightly stale dough and if your try too hard to make any shape out of them, they break.”

The children on a visit to Makkah.

Religion is also a major point of focus at the Hope Center. The Muslim children are taught basic du’as, the ritual of wudu and etiquette for visiting the Holy Mosque. Regular trips are also made to Makkah where the children make tawaaf and implement all that they’ve learnt. “I think religion plays a big part, and not just for the children but for us as well, in finding comfort that a higher power is looking after our children,” Uzma Raheem muses as a wrap up to our brief but enlightening conversation. To learn more about the Hope Center’s programmes and to follow their progress, join Hope- for exceptional needs on Facebook. Check out their website too, expected to go live in a few days’ time.