Zabeel Investments helps Dubai Autism Centre raise record funds

Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Autism Centre, Autism Awareness initiative set out to educate the community and engage in several fundraising activities. Together Again is the first initiative of its kind in the region.

Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General and Board Member for the Dubai Autism Centre, expressed his thanks to the organizations that have supported DAC, including Zabeel Investments, which he recognized as having played an instrumental role in getting the campaign up and running. "Aside from Together Again, Zabeel Investments has consistently provided support to the Centre. When 70 students were on the waiting list for admission to the Dubai Autism Centre, Zabeel helped overcome the shortfall by donating AED 500,000 to the Centre, providing more space to support kids suffering from autism.

"We are very pleased with this campaign and we look forward to using the money generated to help children suffering from autism," continued Al Emadi. "We also hope that the awareness generated through our campaign will allow parents and specialists to detect the disorder at an early stage, allowing children at risk to receive the support and treatment they need."

Along with the wristband campaign, Together Again featured a silent auction, launched at DIFC, in which more than 108 pieces of art, created by children at the Centre, were put on display and available for bidding.

"The children at the Dubai Autism Centre aspire to live their lives like any other child, which is why their hands-on involvement in this campaign has great significance," said Al Emadi. "Every piece of artwork included in the auction was created by the children at the Centre, which demonstrates their creative abilities."

In addition, the Centre provides educational and therapeutic programmes for children through a team of dedicated professionals, including Clinical Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Language Pathologists. DAC also has several facilities to accommodate children of different ages and different needs, such as the Early Intervention Room, the Daily Living Skills Therapy Area and several Art Therapy facilities.

Zabeel Investments Executive Director of Corporate Communications, Amina Taher stated, "Childhood development and health are areas we feel strongly about at Zabeel Investments and we will continue to support them; not just through funds, but also by helping to raise awareness and encourage people to extend a helping hand to autistic children."