UAE to establish 60 centres in Egypt to help people of determination

ABU DHABI / WAM

The Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) and ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, on Wednesday announced the launch of the ‘Bridges of Hope’ programme to support people of determination in Egypt.
The joint initiative is in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS), which oversees the Office of People of Determination and offers a full range of educational, behavioral, and rehabilitative services.
ZHO is representing the UAE through its participation in the “Haya Karima” (Decent Life) initiative launched by Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, which aims to strengthen social opportunities and protection for people of determination, as part of efforts to elevate the quality of human development services for all societal categories.
The ZHO and ADQ ‘Bridges of Hope’ programme aims to develop 60 centers in several Egyptian villages, providing integrated services to support and empower people of determination from different backgrounds and skill-sets. A specialist team of social workers and speech pathologists will also conduct workshops to identify learning difficulties and provide people of determination with the specialised skills in order to overcome them, in addition to implementing programmes designed to provide psychological and social support. Additionally, ZHO will offer awareness programmes and facilitate knowledge transfer, in partnership with MOYS and other relevant authorities, for families and parents to equip them with the right resources to approach their children.
Dr Ashraf Sobhi, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports, reiterated Egypt’s commitment to integrating people of determination across social activities and projects, under the directive of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to empower them achieve their dreams and incorporate them within society. Dr. Sobhi also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the UAE’s leadership and community for their ongoing support to Egypt.
“The collaboration between the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports, Zayed Higher Organisation, and ADQ, is the first significant project that will see us work hand-in-hand in service of Egypt’s youth and young adults through the implementation of a continuous stream of programmes and projects,” Dr Sobhi stated.
ZHO’s Secretary-General Abdulla Abdulalee Al Humaidan, praised the collaboration between the ZHO and ADQ, and the strong bilateral relations between Egypt and the UAE, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, commenting, “The longstanding bilateral relations between the UAE and Egypt are not only historic but also strategic as we both embark on enhancing the process of economic and social progress and advancement to ensure the welfare of all citizens, and this is also what we seek to achieve from our partnership with ADQ on our collaborative programme – ‘Bridges of Hope’.”
Al Humaidan continued, “The implementation of the ‘Bridges of Hope’ programme is in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of ZHO. The programme reflects the steadfast international efforts of the UAE to reinforce the importance of humanitarian and relief aid, regionally and globally.”
Anas Albarguthi, Chief Operating Officer at ADQ, said, “Our collaboration with ZHO to deliver the ‘Bridges of Hope’ programme will help to expand care for people of determination and facilitating their integration into society. Our enriching programme will provide valuable opportunities for training, development, and vocational and therapeutic support. Bridges of Hope complements our joint US$20 billion (AED 73 billion) strategic investment platform with The Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE), which was established in 2019 and aims to contribute to the economic development of Egypt and support its local communities.”
Commenting on the launch of the programme, Dr. Walaa Jad Al Kareem, Director, ‘Hayah Karima’ Initiative, Ministry of Local Development, said, “The ‘Hayah Karima’ initiative encompasses development efforts aimed at transforming the lives of more than half of the Egyptian population, under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. As a comprehensive and integrated developmental programme, we aim to make a positive impact on the quality of life for Egyptians, particularly those who reside in rural areas, through planned and invaluable activities and projects.”
“The ‘Bridges of Hope’ programme demonstrates the brotherly ties between the Egyptian and Emirati communities and is an integral addition to the ‘Hayah Karima’ initiative. It also reiterates the focus and dedication of Egypt’s leadership on people of determination, in line with the National Human Rights Strategy, which was launched by the President in September 2021. Through this programme and with the support of our partners, we will develop the essential framework for empowering people of determination as we further integrate them into the community,” Dr. Walaa continued.