Under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimmi, the honoree president of SCHS, the 19th Al Amal Camp will start on Sunday, 18th, January, 2009. Gulf countries, Syria, and Egypt are going to participate in this one week camp, which is organized by SCHS. This was announced in the press conference, which was organized by SCHS in Radisson Sas Hotel on Wednesday, 14th, January, 2009 under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Jameela Bint Mohammed Al Qasimmi, General Director of SCHS. The conference was attended by Amal Khameas, Kalthim Abead members of organizing committee, and Abdullah Khameas SCHS's head of security. Mr. Osama Mardini head of Media & Information Department gave a speech on the behalf of Her Highness Shaikha Jameela Bint Mohammed Al Qasimmi, General Director of SCHS in which she assured that providing services for people with special needs is the responsibility of every member in the society.
This orientation is directed towards us in all times and places since the beginning of the universe until nowadays, where many questions are raised about social responsibility; its dimensions; and its different issues. On this idea, we base our understanding for our obligation towards our society and brothers with disability. A whole generation was raised to believe in this idea since the early days of Al Amal Camp in January 1986.
This belief has granted the continuance of financial and human support to this activity, which is dear to children with special needs and those who work with them around the Arab World. This camp is a lively representation of the creative understanding for social responsibility. It is the advanced practice of such responsibility that contributed to an accurate definition for it.
People who have witnessed the initiation of Al Amal Camp can clearly see the amount of progress and development volunteers have reached by practicing social responsibility. For instance, the number of volunteers increases yearly. Volunteers are more mature and experienced when dealing with issues concerning people with special needs. Sponsors are no longer individuals or separated governmental and private institutions. Nowadays, they include banks and corporations that play an important role in connecting different economical organizations in a promising partnership.
We should look closely at the concept 'Social Responsibility'; think about it; and understand its deep meanings in all ages. We should stand to it and to society requirements, which we live in and with its members on the base of mutual respect.
Preparations have been made to make sure that the 19th Al Amal Camp starts on time. For example, the preparations committee has been coordinating with governmental and private institutions to host participating delegations according to the Camp's program. In addition, they discussed the different activities of this year's camp.
Moreover, the committee has provided the necessary requirements for 300 volunteers and delegation members on camp ground. Maintenance has been made to SCHS's buildings and premises and more than 7000 meals were prepared to feed guests during the one week camp. Posters, invitations, and stationary are available t00.
As part of the intensive preparations for the 19th Al Amal Camp, the marketing committee has invited various governmental and private institutions to sponsor this event as a practical practice of social responsibility. Fortunately, many institutions have responded to this invitation such as Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Invest Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank, SHALCO, Sharjah Co-operative Society, Arabia Airlines, and PETROVAK.
SCHS highly appreciates the efforts of institutions such as Ministry of Social Affairs, UAE University, Supra Tents, Sharjah-Government Department of Culture & Information, Rotana & Radisson Sas Hotels, Sharjah Museums Department, Emirates Scientific Club, SERC, Sharjah Municipality, and Sharjah Police Department in organizing this event since its beginning in 1986 until now.
This camps is considered a great opportunity for the disabled from the Arab world to reveal their capabilities and strengthen their brotherhood with other participants. They will have a chance to talk about their own experience; making new friends; and to claim more care and attention for their cause from the rest of the world. In order for this to happen, people have to know more about the issues and problems of people with special needs.
The camp has a very large base of fans. For example, the gulf countries have participated in all camps which were organized annually except the year 1991. Due to the first gulf war in 1991, the 5th Al Amal Camp was postponed to the year after. In the year 1995, the 9th Al Amal was postponed for three years because the holy month of Ramadan coincided with mid year school holidays. After that, the camp was organized regularly since the year 1999.
In the year 2000, the organizers of the 11th Al Amal Camp have decided to host a delegation from one country from the Arab world along the gulf countries. Therefore, in the year 2001, Morocco was the guests of honor; 2002 Sudan; 2003 Yemen; 2005 Lebanon; and 2006 Egypt;
At the end of the conference, the workers of SCHS have invited journalists and the people of media to come and cover the various activities of the camp.