NEWSLETTERS

October 24, 2001

Fall is a time for new beginnings- a time to renew oneself for the challenges of the upcoming year. Fall brings some nostalgia for the tiredness of the summer months, a time when one could pause and reflect.

We reflected on the beginning stages of launching the construction of the new center at El-Meshref area in 1999, and decided to give it a new Arabic name “I’dad”. I’dad simply means “preparation”. The name reflects the essence of our work with children with mental retardation. It is to prepare them in all life’s domain including academics, social skills, daily living skills, and vocational rehabilitation to increase self-independence and social accountability.

Parallel to this, we started a huge advertising campaign allover Lebanon featuring one of the association’s toddlers with Down syndrome. It carried the following wordings: “Does this have to be your child, to stop you from looking away?”. The campaign was very fruitful; as it served its aim of bringing the focus of attention to this sector of the population as a homogeneous part of the society that require care and not pity. In addition, it triggered a lot of interest from different people and parents who came forward with questions about how to deal with their infants and toddlers with mental retardation and learning disabilities.

In a joint effort, the Association has approached national and international funding agencies to raise part of the $ 3,000,000 needed to continue the school. Major contributors were his Royal Highness Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Soud, and the Cellis (FTML) Company in Beirut.

The fiscal year 2001-2002 should be an interesting and exciting year with the ongoing preparations to move to the new school at El-Meshref area in September 2002. Also, the children are so excited as they prepare for our 12th annual bazaar to be held at the Marriott Hotel from November 9-11. The students are displaying an array of their work like wooden baskets and trays, clay mugs and vases, frames, and sweats from our bakery. The association participates in other bazaars held by charitable non-governmental organizations in Beirut.