Report by: Oswald M. D’Souza
Pictures by: Shobhan – Sameeha Studio – Abu Dhabi
Daijiworld Media Network – Abu Dhabi (GA) 

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Abu Dhabi, May 30: Students at the Special Care Centre (SCC) celebrated their 20th Annual Talent Day, the Musical Extravaganza 2009 at Abu Dhabi Indian School Auditorium on Friday May 29, 2009 evening. The students with special needs re-enacted skits and musicals based on popular folk tales.
 
This yearly event is the culmination of many months hard work, preparation at school and at home. The theme of the Talent Night was decided by the teachers incorporating into lesson plans, so that the whole experience is both educational and enjoyable.
 
It was amazing to witness children with special needs, who are mentored and trained to be integral part of the society and who have been cared, loved and nurtured to be equal among ordinary people.
 
“Talent Night is an opportunity of for our students aged 3-20 to express themselves through the arts. We have an exciting programme to share. The students are reinventing the stories of Sleeping Beauty and The Pied Piper as well as dance to music from all over the world. The grand finale is ‘Jai ho’, the song from the Oscar winning movie Slum Dog Millionaire.” said Nisha Thomas, head of education and training prior to the show.

The programme started with a prayer recited by the ex-student Abdulla Junaibi followed by welcome speech by Nisha Thomas, the head of the Institution.
 
The programme consisted of traditional West African action song, sleeping beauty, Arabic dance, going to the zoo, Pied piper of Hamelin, Junk to Fashion, and the grand finale of “Jai Ho”
 
Jeremy Parish, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank who were the main sponsors of the event and also the Board Member of SCC was present for the programme.
 
The event was attended by a large audience, consisting of dignitaries such as principals of schools and large number of audience from diversified nationalities.
 
Through Talent Night, Special Care Centre aims to celebrate achievements, raise awareness on the abilities of people with special needs, and promote the Donate A Brick Campaign.
 
The Donate A Brick campaign, aims to raise over 50 million dirhams to build new campus for the Special Care Centre. The new premises will be a state-of-the-art set up providing the most appropriate learning environment for over 400 children with special needs in Abu Dhabi.
 
“We are in dire need of new premises. At the moment, the Special Care Centre is at full capacity with 70 students and a waiting list of over 100 children,” said Reem Al Fahim, head of the SCC executive committee.
 
Good Heart, the fund-raising arm of the school launched the Donate a Brick campaign in May 2008 under the patronage of Sheikha Shamma Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahayan.
 
The project has been made easier with the extraordinary benevolence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who to encourage community support, has pledged to match dirham-for-dirham all of the funds raised.
 
“The area of special needs has been recognized by society as key area for funding and support. Special Care Centre is keen to do its part in helping fill the gap in the services provided. To do so as a non-profit venture we need financing. The whole idea behind our campaign is for the community to work together to satisfy the needs of the community.”
 
“We will only be successful if everyone pitches in. I urge the general public to continue to contribute to our cause. Through the efforts of our dedicated volunteers we have raised over 8 million dirhams. I am humbled by the all the support we have received so far, but we are less than half way to our target- we still have a to accumulate another 17 million dirhams,“ said Reem Al Fahim.

Standard Chartered bank was the key sponsor of Talent Night for the fourth consecutive year.  Other sponsors include Maximus Air Cargo, Kwality Restaurant, and Abu Dhabi Indian School.
 
For more information on the Special Care Centre, please log on to www.donateabrick.org
 
For further information please contact:
Reem Al Fahim
Head of Executive Committee, Special Care Centre
Deputy Head of Good Heart
Po Box: 33594, Abu Dhabi
Mob: 050 612 2257
Fax: 02 681 8163

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