Philips helps furnish special needs centre in Dubai

Philips is providing the centre with furniture, playroom and therapy equipment, as well as Philips products such as TVs, stereos and DVD players for an activities room, a soft-walled playroom and living rooms in the residential area and day care centre.

The contribution is just the first stage in an ongoing relationship between Philips and the Home. Moving forward, Philips employees are set to visit the centre on a quarterly basis to spend time with the children, as well as help lead field trips for the youngsters.

The Senses Home provides high-standard full-time residential care, a day centre and short-term respite care that in total can serve 20 children overnight and 35 youngsters during the day.

Philips now has participated in 16 such projects in the region, including eight in the UAE. Since 2002, Philips has renovated children's play areas in six hospitals and one special needs centre in the UAE, fitted out play and therapy rooms in five centres in Saudi Arabia and supported three renovation projects in Iran. All work has been done on an entirely pro bono basis.

Kerry Hackeson, founder of Senses Home, expressed her gratitude to Philips for its ongoing support of the centre. "It is only with the cooperation of the business community, private donors and companies such as Philips that we will be able to provide the children in our care with services such as residential living and day care, therapeutic learning sessions, life skills training and computer literacy."

"Through the generous support of Philips and others, Senses Home will empower special needs children to fulfil their educational interests, participate in new life-enriching pastimes, build self-esteem, increase their independence and explore opportunities for their future," Hackeson added.

Louis Hakim, CEO Philips Middle East & Africa said, "We celebrate Senses Home for the care it provides special needs children and young adults in the UAE, and we are pleased to play a part in the centre's efforts in order to enrich the lives and experiences of those it serves. Corporate social responsibility is a core component of Philips' heritage globally, and we are dedicated to giving to our local community. We look forward to expanding our cooperation with Senses Home in the future and further assisting their noble efforts on behalf of special needs children."

The centre, which is staffed by a qualified multilingual staff, is housed in a single standing villa with a spacious garden. The rooms are cheerfully painted and the interior is relaxed, making it a happy and pleasant home for the children to enjoy.