Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO) has completed a project to redevelop 68 speech-language pathology centres in 27 Egyptian governorates.
Supported by Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ), the project is part of a joint cooperation protocol between ZHO and the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports (EMYS) in the field of supporting families of People of Determination as part of the Bridges of Hope programme. The project was completed thanks to the support of all Egyptian bodies serving People of Determination in Egypt.
The move is geared towards supporting the growing development of cooperative relations between the UAE and Egypt in various fields. It embodies the vision of the UAE and Abu Dhabi to build bridges of cooperation and exchange experiences with all relevant bodies locally, regionally and internationally. It also comes within the framework of the participation of the UAE, represented by ZHO, in one of the pillars of the Decent Life (Haya Karima) initiative, a human development axis targeting all society segments.
His Excellency Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, spoke highly of the fruitful bilateral cooperation between Emirati and Egyptian institutions for the benefit of People of Determination through the EMYS-ZHO cooperation. The Bridges of Hope programme, which is being implemented by the directives of the wise leaderships in the two countries, has brought positive results in Egypt and achieved benefits in every area covered.
In a press statement, the minister said the Egyptian state's commitment to integrating People of Determination into various activities and projects in line with the directives from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. His Excellency also extended his thanks and appreciation to the UAE’s leadership and people for the continuous support to Egypt.
His Excellency also said the EMYS-ZHO-ADQ cooperation reflects the first of a number of large projects in which the EMYS will participate with the various bodies and institutions to serve youth through the implementation of a continuous package of programmes and projects.
His Excellency Abdullah Abdul-Aali Al-Humaidan, ZHO’s Secretary General, expressed his happiness at the completion of the project, with the aim to transfer the programme’s expertise and experience to support families of People of Determination in various parts of Egypt through family counseling programmes.
His Excellency affirmed ZHO’s appreciation for the efforts made by EMYS in the project’s multiple stages. He extended thanks to the Egyptian minister and the ministry’s People of Determination Office work team. He also welcomed the provision of the expertise of ZHO and its cadres, the mutual visits between officials on both sides, the joint cooperation in several fields and all activities that serve People of Determination to integrate them into their societies to become a productive workforce engaged in building societies.
His Excellency also thanked ADQ’s officials for supporting the project, hailing the successful bilateral cooperation between Emirati and Egyptian institutions for the benefit of People of Determination and the positive results brought by the Bridges of Hope programme. He said that the Bridges of Hope programme embodies the bonds of brotherhood between the Egyptian and Emirati people, and serves as an important addition to the Decent Life initiative in line with the Egyptian leadership’s care for People of Determination.
The Bridges of Hope programme provides awareness initiatives for families and parents of People of Determination at rehabilitation centres, with the aim to develop their skills on how to care for their children. Workshops are also organised to identify learning difficulties, obstacles and challenges they face by a team of social workers and speech therapists in order to provide them with specialised skills. Psychological and social support is also provided, as well as mechanisms for transferring knowledge and expertise to provide more support to families of People of Determination under the supervision of Emirati competent authorities and the EMYS.
