Partners
The Open Hands Initiative would like to acknowledge and thank our partners from Syria and the United States who helped facilitate the Youth Ability Summit.
AAMAL, Syrian Organization for the Disabled AAMAL is a non-governmental organization, which works with people with disabilities. It was established in 2002 and officially inaugurated on September 19, 2006, under the patronage of H.E. Mrs. Asma al-Assad. AAMAL is currently headed by Executive Director Dr. Rami Khalil. Since the day of its establishment AAMAL has been offering various services to people with disabilities. AAMAL runs four Centers. AAMAL's Language and Pathology center provides services for 250 people per month, enabling them to fully integrate and participate in their communities. AAMAL has also established an Autism Center, which currently hosts 72 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as an Educational Center for the Hearing Impaired, currently hosting 29 children. AAMAL’s Audiology Center offers audiological evaluations to the public at large. |
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Light & Flowers Association for Cerebral Palsy Light & Flowers Friends Association for Cerebral Palsy was established in Damascus, Syria, on the 14th of November, 2006 and signed a partnership contract with the Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in 2007 to help manage the cerebral palsy center. The Association was founded for the benefit of those with cerebral palsy with the following objectives: to improve educational opportunities and academic achievements, to provide full health care and job opportunities, to ensure a cure for difficulties vocal pronunciation and social interaction, to integrate the usage of computers for educational purposes, and to care for people suffering from cerebral palsy and provide them with the necessary medical devices. |
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Al-Safina, founded in 1995 in the heart of the old city of Damascus, is a community made on the model of L’Arche communities, created by Jean Vanier: a place to share daily life. They like to learn how to discover the gifts of the various persons and listen to them. Seven people with handicaps and four assistants currently live in the home. During the day, 20 individuals come to work in paper and soap production workshops with the help of five assistants. Three additional staff members assist families that include a child with disabilities. Al-Safina belongs to the International Federation of L’ARCHE, allowing us to benefit from the experience of the 134 communities existing all over the world, to participate in meetings, retreats and events, allowing the exchange of information and ideas. |
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The Victor Pineda Foundation (VPF) is an educational non-profit organization that promotes the rights and dignities of young people with disabilities. Our fieldwork and research initiatives further an inclusive human and civil rights approach to disability programs and policies. We work to build inclusive societies where young people with disabilities can develop their talents, skills and abilities and reach their full potential. |
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