DUBAI // A centre for young adults with special needs is looking for a new base of operations to accommodate its expanding vocational programmes.
The Dubai-based Special Needs Families Development Center is also in the process of changing its name and logo to the Special Needs Future Development Center, in line with its plans to focus on building a future for its students.
Space for outdoor activities is a top priority for the centre, which has 35 students and has outgrown the 10-room apartment it operates from in Karama Centre, a busy shopping mall filled with commercial offices.
The founder, Safia Baria, hopes a bigger space will provide fresh opportunities for vocational training and encourage corporate companies to select students for internships or employment.
"We have at least four students who are ready for job placements," said Mrs Baria, who launched the centre with five pupils in 2007. The former schoolteacher began with art and craft classes at home in 1998 after one of her three daughters was born with cerebral palsy.
"Many of our students are perfectionists and unlike 'normal' students they are completely focused on their work. They will not stop unless their job is complete. They look forward to coming here, they have their own identity and we want to build on their skills."
The centre is one of only a handful in the Emirates specifically geared towards teaching teenagers and adults with special needs, who are too old for early intervention schools.
The students are mainly aged between 14 and 22, and one pupil is even 52 years old. Their conditions range from mild learning difficulties to visual and hearing impairments, Down's syndrome and cerebral palsy.
Over the past year some students were picked for training in the back office and reception areas of a furniture store, a chemical company and a financial services firm.
Shonly Abraham, 18, recently completed a training stint at a finance company. He makes a touching plea for more placements.
"I like work, any work," he said, while diligently wrapping silver ribbon around a reel in a brightly lit art room filled with papier-mache bowls and block-printed bags.
"I put paper inside meeting rooms, take photocopies, get the room ready. Work, I like. No work, I'm sad."
Confidence-building is part of the training. Abraham's favourite room has five computers lined up against a wall and office equipment at the other end. Students learn basic computer skills and are also taught to spiral bind documents, photocopy, laminate and label goods.
High up on the centre's wishlist is additional volunteers. There are plans to add carpentry, cooking and housekeeping courses after the planned move.
"Not everyone will get job placements so, for the rest, it's a place to learn new skills, improve their ability to socialise," said Sandhya Perera, a Sri Lankan expatriate with 24-year-old twin daughters at the centre. "More outdoor space will help their gross motor skills. What we need is awareness about this centre working towards independent living."
The centre hopes corporate companies and well-wishers will pitch in to fund the move.
"We've seen some places but the rates are high," said Mrs Baria about potential locations where rents were almost 60 per cent more than the current annual Dh215,000 charge. "It's a challenge, but we will depend on support from corporates and individuals who come forward."
Sales of customised mugs, mats and candles made by students specially for companies add to the funds.
The confidence gained here is clearly visible on the face of Bhradesh V, a 13-year-old student with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
"How are you? I am fine," he smiles, as he dashes across the room, extending his hand to introduce himself. "I like it. I have many, many friends."
rtalwar@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
The view from The National
