"Let's Plant Hope... Let's Alleviate Sorrow... Hand in Hand… We and You Stand" The launch of The Handmade Crafts Exhibition for Young Men and Women With Down Syndrome, Hosted by Al-Wataniya Private University

In line with the role of Al-Wataniya Private University in developing and promoting the local community, the university hosted this morning a handicraft exhibition for young men and women with Down Syndrome at the Central Library. The exhibition was  organized by the Child Care Society  in Homs province, with the efforts of a group of young men and women who worked tirelessly to achieve great success, starting from realizing their own potential and extending to giving back to others as well.

The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of the President of Al-Wataniya Private  University, Prof. Dr. Ahed Khuzam, his deputy for scientific affairs, Dr. Hazem Melli, Mr. Samir Al-Barazi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Wataniya  Company for Science and Development, and Dr. Abdulkader Al-Jundi, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the university. The exhibition is a result of years of hard work and exceptional sponsorship from the association’s management and staff. These young faces have succeeded in creating a new meaning for willpower and the ability to create beauty and present it to others in its finest form.

In this context, Mrs. Sahar Al-Akhras, a member of the Society’s Board of Directors, spoke about the most prominent activities that the association is directing towards young people with Down syndrome. “Together, with great efforts from the local humanitarian community and abundant contributions from good-hearted people, we have succeeded in establishing two centers. The first center provides educational services for children aged three to fourteen, including self-care, math principles, reading and writing, religion and other educational curricula aimed at children. The second center focuses on activities for young people to engage them in learning professions and handicrafts such as embroidery, sewing, hairdressing, cooking, clothing manufacturing and other diverse activities,” she said.

“Let’s Plant Hope… Let’s Alleviate Sorrow… Hand in Hand .. We and You Stand”

From this perspective, Mrs. Lama Al-Atassi, a former member of the Society’s Board of Directors spoke about the message that the association wishes to convey to society: “Today, we are proud of young men and women with Down Syndrome and what they have been able to learn and achieve in individual and collective work and successes. We work hand in hand to instill hope in the hearts of mothers and rise together to raise a whole generation of young people with Down Syndrome, a generation that has been able to build a unique personality characterized by strength, patience, optimism, desire to learn more, professionalism, and spreading a spirit of affection and cooperation with their peers.”

She added: “Children with Down Syndrome are no longer just children; each one has become an independent entity with their own dreams, desires, and profession. Since the association was founded in 1954, we have been working hard to build their personalities and strengthen their skills and abilities so that they can become young people who have the determination and willpower that motivates others their age to hold onto their dreams and strive towards achieving them.”

Mrs. Dima Al-Malouhi, , a former member of the Society’s Board of Directors, emphasized the importance of holding the exhibition among students at Al-Wataniya Private University for its important role in breaking down barriers of shyness and fear among children with Down Syndrome. “We always seek feelings of sincerity and happiness when we tell them about an event that is special for them. We can see joy, enthusiasm, a desire to learn and dance and communicate with others. It is a real opportunity for them to reap the fruits of their efforts and feel loved by everyone,” she added.

Al-Wataniya Private University, represented by its President, Prof. Dr. Ahd Khuzam, takes pride in the humanitarian efforts made by local associations in general, and the Child Care Society  in particular, to promote society and strengthen relationships between its members through creating new channels of communication that raise awareness and knowledge about the value of human beings and their ability to succeed and innovate.