Artwork by Dubai students with special needs features on Amazon …

Designs by students and pupils with disabilities that shine a special light on Eid Al Fitr celebrations have been selected to feature on Amazon’s online gift cards for the festival.

A glowing lantern with an Eid Mubarak message has been painted by a student from Dubai’s Rashid Centre for People of Determination in Dubai.

The second work capturing the UAE custom of families celebrating Eid in a park was created by a group of eight pupils from the centre working together. Makes me proud Cara Swanepoel, student with special needs about her art work

The National met the artists whose work is available online at Amazon.ae/giftcards

Zainab Chaudry Naveed, a young artist with developmental delays, is thrilled her individual work featuring a bright lantern was picked.

Ms Naveed, 20, said yellow is her favourite colour and the “shining light” drew her to paint the orange lantern.

“I like to paint.

For Eid we celebrate with family. I like colours — to put on henna — and I love the colour yellow,” said Ms Naveed.

Those attending the art class have a range of conditions, including cerebral palsy, autism and sensory, learning and physical disabilities.

Expand

Autoplay

Students and pupils of the Rashid Centre for People of Determination in Dubai participate in Amazon’s online gift cards for the festival. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National

Drawing inspiration from festivities

More than 200 pupils and students at the Dubai centre took part in the Amazon initiative, with their designs displayed across a vibrant art studio filled with pink and red hearts.

“Makes me proud,” is how Cara Swanepoel, 10, described adding a coffee-coloured backdrop to the card she worked on with other pupils.

It shows families exchanging Eid gifts in a park.

Speech software loaded on to a tablet attached to their wheelchair helps Cara and others with conditions such as cerebral palsy communicate.

An assistive technology device tracks Cara’s eye movements as she looks at emoticons to select a reply and respond to questions.

To develop the group artwork, teachers spent time talking to the pupils, aged between nine and 13, to understand what Eid meant to them.

They said it was about celebration, light, giving and being with family.

Caregivers help some pupils grasp pencils as they mark an outline or guide them as they wield brushes to complete their paintings.

Celebrating inclusivity at Eid

Hind Rasheed, Amazon’s head of public relations and communications for the Middle East and North Africa, said collaborating with the Rashid Centre helped the Eid collection embody values of inclusivity.

“We were very excited to see their unique perspective and artistic interpretation of Eid come to life,” she said.

“The design created by Zainab Chaudry Naveed immediately caught our attention, with its vibrant colours and bold shapes.”

She described the second card created by an entire class as “not only a beautiful representation of their creativity and talent, but also a testament to the power of coming together to create something meaningful”.

Sandra Ugalde, head teacher at the Rashid Centre, said everyone was excited to be part of the Eid effort.

“The enthusiasm is amazing to watch,” she said, seated in an office filled with colourful paper butterflies created by pupils.

“It helps build their self-esteem when they see their work displayed.

“It’s difficult for these children, they may need support with hand movements, they need to understand what is needed and why.”

But Ms Ugalde said each child contributed, “as it was an opportunity for everyone to participate”.

“By doing this campaign with Amazon, we are able to showcase the skills of our children,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity for our children to show what they can do.

For the wider community, it encourages a greater awareness of the abilities the students have and not their disability.”

The Eid cards are a regional initiative by Amazon that will also feature work done by artists from the Aleradah Organisation for people with disabilities in Saudi Arabia.

Cards designed using the distinctive black and white art of Abdulla Lutfi, an Emirati artist on the autism spectrum, were released last year and continue to be available on the Amazon e-gift card collection.

His designs showing people in the UAE greeting each other for Eid can be viewed alongside the two new works from the Rashid Centre students and pupils.

“This is the true purpose of our Eid eGift card initiative, to help raise awareness around the homegrown, diverse, incredible and inspiring talent that resides in the UAE,” Ms Rasheed said.

Updated: April 05, 2023, 7:11 AM

Tags:

allplants listed on couponmatrix.ukbrittany-ferries listed on couponmatrix.ukcoverforyou listed on couponmatrix.ukmanomano listed on couponmatrix.ukraileasy listed on couponmatrix.ukuk-flooring-direct listed on couponmatrix.uk
allplants listed on couponmatrix.ukallplants is the all-vegan (and totally delicious!) meal delivery service putting plants in the limelight. Whether you’re a long-time veggie or giving meat-free Monday a try, allplants puts the flavour into veggies with exciting meals like creamy cashew mac and cheese and protein-packed power bowls. An allplants discount code from Groupon keeps it affordable, so you can shake up the menu with a food subscription that fits your budget and lifestyle. Order your favourite meals again and again or change it up with every delivery – the world is your oyster!
brittany-ferries listed on couponmatrix.ukLove to travel but hate to fly? With Brittany Ferries your next holiday destination in France or Spain is closer than you think. Sail in style with your Brittany Ferries discount code with a huge number of gorgeous ships setting sail from Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole. Whether you want to relax in an overnight cabin or take advantage of their Fast-Craft Crossings, you can reach your dream European destination without spending hours on the road thanks to Brittany Ferries.
coverforyou listed on couponmatrix.ukRather than worry over worst-case scenarios, opt to protect your property with CoverForYou, the online insurance providers where customers always come first. Whether you need to insure travel plans, your phone, laptop or a hire car, a CoverForYou discount code will guarantee you top value on comprehensive cover during your tenure. Named Best Travel Insurance Provider by Forbes in 2022, rest assured you’re protected by the best in the business with CoverForYou.
manomano listed on couponmatrix.ukThose who believe home is where the heart should always choose ManoMano to create the perfect abode for you and your family. Stocking all the furnishings, furniture and trimmings you need to make your house a home, be sure to always shop with the latest ManoMano discount code to bring your vision to life for a fraction of the cost. By giving you all the options you need to create your ideal living space, you can build your dream home from the ground-up with ManoMano.
raileasy listed on couponmatrix.ukOur Raileasy discount codes will help you save even more money on your next rail trip, whether you’re heading to visit your aunty in the country, or taking your partner away on a mini-break. Raileasy look to make you a handsome saving of up to 80% on your train journeys through a variety of different methods, meaning you’ve got a few more coins in the coffers for all the other getaway essentials. A National Rail accredited internet retail booking engine, Raileasy has one sole aim: to find you the best fare possible. Whether you’re looking for the best possible rate or just a route with a bit of flexibility, Raileasy scours the web for your ideal ticket. The site does this in the hope of attracting new people to rail journeys across the UK. And if you’ve already got your rail tickets to hand, then not to worry – Raileasy also provides booking facilities for everything from accommodation to theatre trips, plus ferries and trains in Europe. So whatever your plans involve, it’s well worth having a browse of our Raileasy coupon codes for some inspiration. An easy-to-use interface lets customers easily search for the best possible fares between locations. You can also search for split tickets which breaks journeys down into smaller sections for an even bigger discount. Meanwhile, railcards for seniors, families and students can also be used. Ready to explore more of the UK by train and save some money in the process? Browse our selection of Raileasy discount codes and make sure you bag the best possible fare.
uk-flooring-direct listed on couponmatrix.ukWhether you want wood, laminate or vinyl in your home, you won’t find a better price or a sturdier board than with UK Flooring Direct. When you next want to forego the showroom, be sure to save on your next renovation with a UK Flooring Direct discount code from Groupon. With speedy deliveries, authentic designs, durable coating and unbeatable prices, you’re sure to stylize and save on your new home décor at UK Flooring Direct.