Amman - PETRA
The Families and Friends Society of Persons with Disabilities (FFSPD), on Thursday, held a charity lunch at the Grand Hyatt Amman. Her Royal Highness Princess Muna Hussein, Honorary President of FFSPD attended the annual event, which also included HRH Princess Majda Ra’ad, the Minister of Social Development H.E. Mrs. Nisreen Barakat, Secretary General of the Higher Council for Affairs of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), Dr. Amal Nahhas, members of the diplomatic corps and a number of the society’s partners and friends. Speaking during the event, Founder and Chairperson of FFSPD, Mrs. Rima Ayoub Zureikat, thanked HRH Princess Muna Al- Hussein for her continuous encouragement and support, particularly towards educating a number of its children, as well as the capacity building of staff. She added that this is all due to Her Highness’s firm belief in early integration and inclusion, providing them with equal opportunities to become functional citizens in society. Zureikat also spoke about the challenges that the society is facing with the long waiting lists and the persistent need for job coaching and training. She also commended the co-operation and collaboration between the HCD and MoSD and the impact it has left on FFSPD’s children in granting them their right to education. She also paid tribute to the efforts of HRH Prince Raad bin Zeid, Chief Chamberlain and President of HCD in rendering disability issues a national priority that must be dealt with on the basis of rights rather than charity and pity, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, and through a rights-based responsibility and planning that will ultimately transform society from a disabling society to an inclusive and enabling one. During the luncheon, Princess Muna presented the society’s supporters and long-term partners with plaques of appreciation. Renowned Jordanian singer, Zein Awwad, also performed, as a long-time friend and supporter of the society’s activities and functions. The event also included a presentation on Alzheimer’s and Dimensia by Vicki de Klerk, wife of the Dutch Ambassador to Jordan, who is has a Masters in teaching validation techniques.