While the Sultanate has many non-government organisations (NGOs) catering to the needs of the less fortunate, there is a dearth of people who can spare some time for a social cause. “We lack people who can lend quality time for charity and awareness initiatives,” HH Sayyid Faisal bin Turki al Said had told the Observer earlier. “A lot of people are willing to volunteer for such causes, but what we need is people who have a systematic approach.” A large community school for the specially-abled children in the capital area is finding it difficult to run the show due to the non-availability of volunteers.
It has children with a range of disabilities, including autism, Down Syndrome, intellectual disabilities, hearing impairment, mobility, hidden disabilities such as Irlen Syndrome, which is also called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, and Mears Irlen Syndrome.
“Since very few volunteers turn up to support us regularly, we are not able to devote ample time for each child,” said its principal.
The school has children from different age groups with numerous issues who need individual care.
She said the expatriate housewives and college students who used to spend some time with children at the centre are worried.
“We had inspections, in which they were asked to show their resident cards. They are not under our sponsorship. In such cases, they may be construed as illegal workers, while we are not paying them.
Their services were purely voluntary.”
Besides, most of the people who can go out, talk to the people and the stakeholders as well as supporters and well-wishers, are busy with their jobs or businesses.
They are unable to spare time for social causes. The shortage of skilled staff too is a concern.
The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) is running a programme to train volunteers since there is always a shortage of full-time staff.
KABEER YOUSUF
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