DOHA: Mitsubishi Corporation yesterday signed an agreement with Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs allowing it to extend an annual financial support amounting to $180, 000 for ten years. Shinji Shimada, General Manager, CSR and Environmental Affairs Office of Mitsubishi Corp and Dr Saif Al Hajari, Deputy Chairman of Shafallah Center signed the agreement.
"We made financial contribution to Shafallah twice in a row back in years 2001 and 2002. Today we are proud to to announce that we can now commit ourselves to donate some $180, 000 a year equivalent for a period of 10 successive years," said Tetsuro Imai, Chief Regional Officer, Middle East, Mitsubishi. Imai said during the first year of its sponsorship Mitsubishi Doha will provide the children of Shafallah tools that support their communication.
"The concrete support programme from the second year will be discussed in future. We sincerely hope that our warm thought will reach the hearts of all the children at Shafallah and help strengthen the ties between the people of Qatar and Japan down the road on a grass-root basis," he said.
Al Hajari expressed gratitude on Japan's and Mitsubishi's support to the Center saying it will create a great programme not only for the children but also for training teachers to reach desired standards. "The donation will be used for equipment and technology, teachers' training, and many other programmes," Al Hajari said.
Sameera Al Qassimi, Deputy General Manager of Shafallah Center announced a new programme to commence on March 15. The programme is catered for those over 21 years with severe cases. "We will engage them with different activities including jobs," she said. Asked why Mitsubishi chose Shafallah as beneficiary, Imai said Mitsubishi Doha strongly recommended Shafallah. "Qatar is one of the most important countries and Shafallah is one of the most important centres for children with special needs," he said.
Japanese Ambassador to Qatar Yukio Kitazume lauded the activities of the Centre such as its equipment, classrooms, swimming pool, and laboratory. He also praised H H Sheikha Mozah for giving priority to children with special needs.
The check worth $180, 000 being turned over by Mitsubishi Corp. officials to Shafallah Center officials.
By Raynald Rivera
© The Peninsula 2009
