Monday, Jun 17, 2013
Sharjah: A new initiative to raise awareness on autism and support children at Sharjah Autism Centre (SAC) will include a world record attempt for the World’s Largest Smiling Children’s Cube, it was revealed on Monday.
The Smile of Hope initiative in Sharjah aims to display at least 6,200 pictures of smiling children on a cube measuring four metres by four metres.
UAE residents can have one picture uploaded of one child for every Dh50 participation ticket they purchase. The cube is to be displayed at Al Majaz Waterfront on November 21-22 to mark Universal Children’s Day (held on November 20 each year).
The ticket will include an ID and password that enables the purchaser to upload the photo on www.smile-of-hope.com. Those pictures will then be reproduced on the cube.
Participants will be given redeemable vouchers worth Dh250 at partnering outlets Wild Wadi, Dubai Dolphinarium, Magic Planet, Baby Shop, Toy Triangle and Antics Land.
Proceeds from the initiative will be used to benefit SAC, including a makeover of its facilities. In the longer term, the initiative hopes to assist SAC become independent and self-sustaining. The initiative has been launched by Dubai-based Discovery Exhibition and Organisers (DEO) in partnership with several leading brands.
“It’s a very emotional moment for all of us at the Sharjah Autism Centre to achieve such attention from so many fine people. We are truly humbled by the collective efforts put in by the organisers of Smile of Hope and their partners,” said Muna Bagh, director, SAC.
“Many people don’t realise how hard teachers of children with autism work; every little work and interaction with them is like a workshop for us. We don’t only teach them, but have to learn from them.
“We also need materials, toys, new buses, technology, sensory integration tools… it’s like a list for 100,000 items. We’re very selective in recruiting the right teachers - we have to be - taking on board one or two people for every 100 interviews.”
She added that the November awareness event will help residents realise the potential of children with special needs and promote socialising among families.
Salem Al Khayyal, chairman, DEO, added: “Our vision with Smile of Hope was to empower the corporate sector to extend their support to the Sharjah Autism Centre, without binding them to traditional donation or contribution slabs. This not only resulted in increased number of partners the programme gathered but also helped diversify its ability to support SAC.”
By Faisal Masudi Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
