(MENAFNEditorial) 24.08.2017. | DUBAI, UAE Ford MEA's Graduates Help Paint Classrooms for Children With Special Needs
Ford provides more than just a place to work, as the newest members of the Ford MEA regional headquarters discovered last week.
As part of the company's Global Month of Caring program*, staff from across the company volunteered their time to help paint classrooms at the Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs in Dubai. That included participants in Ford's UAE Graduate Trainee Program, a 12 month work placement scheme that gives recent university graduates extensive real world training and career development opportunities.
Omar Abdul-Karim Al-Shehhi, 22, graduated from Dubai Men's College with a degree in finance and banking, and joined Ford Middle East in mid-July. He said he jumped at the chance to help out on the Al Noor project. 'I saw that it was to help paint classrooms for children with special needs and I just wanted to help give something back to the community. It's not enough to just give money – everyone can do that – but to do the actual work, it's much, much better. I feel that for us, it's a must. We should give back – and I think everyone should.'
Auhood Al Ali, 23, gained her degree in finance from Dubai's Zayed University where she was also involved with the PALs (Peer Assisted Leader Support) program. The program was established so that students could help tutor and mentor other students in a supporting and encouraging way. 'I was helping to tutor students with hearing and vision difficulties, so that's why I wanted to come and see this special needs school for people younger than me,' Auhood said.
Hassan Al Ali, 22, joined Ford MEA's finance team in July having graduated from the University of Sharjah earlier this year. 'For us, as locals, our families want us to join the public sector more than the private sector but I really love the private sector and I didn't expect this experience. Once I joined, I felt like it was a family environment and the work place is fantastic, amazing - and every day I get more interesting things to do.' He said he felt drawn the Al Noor project because he had worked for the Red Crescent as a volunteer and felt an obligation to help. Once he heard about the school, he wanted to do all he could.
Aadel Mohamed, 25, graduated from the higher college of technology in Fujairah with a degree in IT networking. He joined Ford MEA digital marketing team in July. 'I have volunteered for environmental work before, but this is the first time I have been involved with something for people with special needs. It really touched my heart when I learned about the centre and the work it does. There are 35 nationalities here and it is an important place for people with special needs. I felt like I needed to come and help,' he said.
Jacques Brent, president of Ford Middle East and Africa, added, 'It's great to have our new graduates not only experience the work environment but also the ethos of Ford which is giving back to the communities in which we operate. It's great to see them come out and help support this particular initiative because it's a great facility right in the centre of the community in Dubai.'
*Ford Global Month of Caring in September is the highlight of a year-round campaign to put Ford's people power to work improving peoples' lives and making the world a better place. Last year, more than 20,000 Ford volunteers participated in hundreds of community service projects around the world. Global Caring Month is the signature annual event of the Ford Volunteer Corps. Since it was launched in 2005, Ford Volunteer Corps members have contributed more than one million hours of community service in 48 countries, representing $29 million of in-kind community investments.
About Al Noor Centre for Children With Special Needs: Al Noor Centre for Children With Special Needs is the oldest in Dubai and has been serving the community for over 30 years. It has over 300 students from 35 different nationalities - ranging in age from 3 to 18 years. Led by its vision to help individuals with special needs achieve their fullest potential, Al Noor provides individuals with special needs, regardless of background, the same opportunity through professional training and care to realize their potential and integrate into the wider community.
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