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:

craft-gin-club listed on couponmatrix.ukfrescobol-carioca listed on couponmatrix.ukmulberry listed on couponmatrix.ukoffspring listed on couponmatrix.ukwwwordnancesurveycouk-shop listed on couponmatrix.ukradisson-hotels listed on couponmatrix.uk
craft-gin-club listed on couponmatrix.ukGin is big business, with millions waking up to the possibilities that this incredibly versatile, centuries old stalwart can offer. Many still like to drink it with tonic, but it's also finding its way into some fabulous cocktails as well as holding its own as something that can be consumed neat. The Craft Gin Club discount code gets yo straight to the front of the queue for the newest, most innovative gins that you won't find on supermarket shelves. Their experts live, drink and breathe gin and when you subscribe they'll send you twelve bottles a year from a carefully-selected set of authentic distilleries based all over globe.
frescobol-carioca listed on couponmatrix.ukFrescobol Carioca is a luxury swim and resort wear brand that was born on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Frescobol Carioca's designs are inspired by the colours and energy of Brazil, and the brand has become synonymous with summertime style. Whether you're looking for swimwear, beachwear or vacation attire, Frescobol Carioca has something to suit every taste. And now, thanks to our Frescobol Carioca discount codes, you can enjoy even greater savings on your next purchase! Here at Groupon, we are always on the lookout for ways to help you save money. That's why with our help, you can get the best Frescobol Carioca discount codes today. With this code, you can enjoy savings on your next purchase from Frescobol Carioca. So whether you're looking for a new swimsuit or just some vacation-ready attire and accessories, be sure to check out our discount code before you shop. One of our top-performing products from Frescobol Carioca is the Men's Swim Trunks. These trunks are made from quick-drying fabric and feature an elastic waistband for a comfortable fit. They're perfect for a day at the beach or poolside lounging. So check out our page, to see if you can save even more on these trunks with our Frescobol Carioca promo code. So don't wait, grab your promo code and head to Frescobol Carioca today!
mulberry listed on couponmatrix.ukFounded in the 1970s in Somerset, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t know about Mulberry. Mulberry leather handbags are famous all over the world, and the brand has reached icon status for its cutting-edge designs. Designer handbags don’t have to be out of budget – we’ve got the latest Mulberry discount code to help households save money here at Groupon! If you’re looking for a bag that lasts a lifetime, Mulberry is the one for you!
offspring listed on couponmatrix.ukOffspring is the UK’s leading ‘Sneaker Boutique’, bringing all the top branded shoes together in one place. They started as a small store in London, but now they provide the best and most exclusive sneakers to fans across the country. With your Offspring discount code, you can save on the very best names in the business, as well as high profile collaborations and the most recent releases. Don’t lose out on upcoming sneakers, beat the crowds and visit the top digital retailer for fashion sportswear.
wwwordnancesurveycouk-shop listed on couponmatrix.ukExplore Great Britain and all it has to offer with an Ordnance Survey map. They cover all of the nation, so you can get out and about with confidence. Don’t stay stuck indoors with no where to go, enjoy the countryside with a map and do it for less with an Ordnance Survey discount code. From paper to digital, however you like to get around, there is a map at Ordnance Survey for you.
radisson-hotels listed on couponmatrix.ukWith nearly 60 years in the business, Radisson has made a name for itself as one of the world’s leading hotel chains. If you fancy tapping into some luxury without breaking the bank, book your stay with a Radisson discount code and see how much you can save. An iconic name offering a wide range of fantastic accommodation options in countries around the globe, you can count on Radisson for a comfortable stay.