Sharjah Ruler Inaugurates New Buildings of SCHS in Barashi

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, opened the new buildings of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) in the Barashi area. These new buildings are part of the first phase of the city’s growth. The area of the new buildings covers 100,000 square meters and is designed to create a strong community. The buildings offer a safe and supportive place for education and therapy, following the best global standards.

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His Highness praised the new buildings, the facilities, and the way everything is laid out to meet the needs of the people who benefit from the city’s services. He also appreciated the fast progress in helping people with complex health problems that even the best hospitals find hard to treat. Sheikh Dr. Sultan stressed the need for the city to grow even more, especially along Emirates Road. He said that the expansion should not just focus on treatment centers, but also on providing homes for employees to live nearby.

His Highness ordered that the area at the back of the city and the northern section next to it should become part of the SCHS land. This land will be developed to provide more services for people with disabilities. His Highness has a clear vision of making the city one of the best in the world for helping people with disabilities.

Sheikh Dr. Sultan also mentioned the growing number of applications to join SCHS. He said this shows how well the city is doing and the high quality of services provided. He also thanked Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Chairperson of SCHS, and her team for their hard work. The government also helps by covering the costs of running the city.

His Highness thanked the government departments that work with SCHS. He also said that the new buildings need a little more work, like planting trees, improving roads around the area, and removing electrical wires to make the space better for students and visitors.

Sheikh Dr. Sultan praised the donation of AED 44.4 million from The Big Heart Foundation. This money is being used to build a new treatment center at SCHS, which will be part of the second phase of the city’s development. The new center will have enough space to help 2,800 people.

At the event, His Highness unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the new buildings. These buildings include the Sharjah Autism Centre, Al Wafa School for Capacity Development, and the administrative building. Together, they will serve around 3,000 people, including 1,287 daily service recipients and 1,159 people receiving therapy. The new buildings are designed using the latest research, global standards, and environmentally-friendly practices to ensure they are inclusive and accessible to everyone.

His Highness also toured the Sharjah Autism Centre. This center provides special services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It can accommodate 120 students across a 4,934 square meter area. During his visit, Sheikh Dr. Sultan interacted with the staff and students and saw how lessons are taught in specialized classrooms for art, music, life skills, gym, and library.

Next, His Highness visited Al Wafa School for Capacity Development, which helps 352 students with intellectual disabilities. The school offers special programs and services. Sheikh Dr. Sultan toured the classrooms and therapy rooms, noting how welcoming and inclusive the environment is.

His Highness also visited the new administrative building, where the city’s offices and meeting rooms are located. He took a photo with the staff to remember the day. The new buildings are made to meet the important needs of the people they serve, and they are also designed for future growth with a focus on research and best practices in education, therapy, and support.

Sheikh Dr. Sultan was also briefed on the plans for the city’s future. The second phase of development will include:

Early Intervention Centre: A special center for children aged 0 to 5.

Al Amal School and Kindergarten for the Deaf: A school for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Masarat Centre for Development and Empowerment: A center that helps young people with disabilities learn new skills and become more independent.

Independent Living Units: Special housing for adults with disabilities who want to live on their own.

This second phase is also a part of creating a community that includes everyone and supports families with disabled members.

Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi thanked His Highness for his ongoing support for people with disabilities. She said that the new buildings are a great achievement not just for SCHS, but also for Sharjah and the whole UAE. She added that none of this would have been possible without the continuous support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, who both care deeply about people with disabilities.

Sheikha Jameela emphasized that SCHS always follows careful planning to achieve the best results. Education is the city’s top priority, and the programs stay in line with the best practices from around the world.

Since it was founded in 1979, SCHS has worked hard to grow and provide better services. It now has 13 specialized centers and 3 branches in Khorfakkan, Al Dhaid, and Kalba. The city continues to offer high-quality services and has a strong infrastructure to support everything smoothly.

With the continued support from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan, SCHS has built a great reputation locally and internationally. It strives to be a leader in helping and empowering people with disabilities in the UAE, the Arab world, and around the globe.

Sheikh Dr. Sultan was joined on his tour by Sheikha Jameela, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Charity International, and several other senior officials and SCHS staff.