As the community slowly comes out of the pandemic mode, there have been events bringing out experts to ponder on the new directions, there has been one group that has been patiently waiting for everything to get back to normal and they are the children.
When most children continued online during the pandemic period, children with disabilities lost out more as this meant sacrificing precious time with therapists.
Each day matters to the young ones with challenges. In many cases parents took up training and learnt how to professionally support their children at home.
But now that most of the activities are making a comeback, they too want to bounce back and leading the trend is the Association for Children with Disability.
The Rainbow Carnival is back after the pandemic. The last time the carnival took place was February 2020 and within a month the nation was under the impact of Covid-19 forcing to take protective measures.
Children probably could not express what they were missing and the top priority for the last two years has been safety of all.
Another difficult aspect had been the adaptation to facial masks and ensuring to keep it there. And if tragedies had struck families, they too suffered silently.
Now the scenario has changed. They are seeing their families prepare to usher in the Holy month of Ramadhan and of course one of the ultimate celebrations - Eid. The adults in the family have begun to move freely and one of the best moments have been the outdoors.
But now it is time to have fun, says HH Sayyidah Hujaija al Said, Chairperson of Omani Association for Children with Disability.
“The carnival is held at our association and it is for all children - able and disabled. We wanted to start it again after the gap to make our kids at the association happy,” Sayyidah Hujaija said.
Held at Arabia Rehabilitation Centre located on 18 November Street, the carnival is open to all families with an entry fee of RO 1 proceeds of which will be contributed to the association’s further development in facilities and equipment.
The weekend event will be held from March 17 through March 19 from 4 to 10 pm.
The carnival will feature arts and crafts, jumping castles, games, magic show, Zumba live, pony and bike rides, birds and pet zones in addition to food trucks.
The Association has nine centers and 450 children who are regularly using the therapies and training. The age group varies from five year olds to 14 years of age.
“We need to help our children with their development,” pointed out Sayyidah Hujaija.
“So we do need the support. A special thanks to our sponsors because without their support this carnival would not have been possible.”
According to her, the objective of the carnival most importantly is for kids to have fun and secondly to support SMEs who have activities for children such as people who own air castles, horse riding facilities, coffee shops and ice cream joints. Generally whoever is into the entertainment business.
“The event is also to remind
the community about the centres
and about the work the association undertakes,” explained Sayyidah Hujaija.
@lakshmioman
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
