The Rashid Centre for People of Determination in Dubai integrates education, rehabilitation, and vocational training to support personal development and career growth.
The centre caters for 290 students of all ages, with a range of courses for adults that adhere to the Community Development Authority's requirement that students transition from a school setting at the age of 18.
With options in gardening, photography, carpentry, printing, and textile and baking specifically for girls, the centre provides every student with a path to follow, blending the familiarity of their environment with new experiences and skills.
Students in the gardening workshop participate in everything from planting seeds to picking out vegetables, while leftover waste is used to feed the animals kept on the centre's small farm.
Aya Othman Agha, 28, a student in the textile workshop, is committed to pursuing her passion further after leaving the centre.
“God gave me my hobby and talent and I love to make things and to make something with my life that is beneficial,” Miss Agha told The National.
Students in the baking and textile workshop train their hand-sewing skills by learning stitching and using the sewing machine to produce blankets, bags and many other products.
They also work on textile and mosaic pieces, while the cooking workshop enhances the student's ability to prepare simple meals without anyone’s help.
The route to independence
The bridge to these workshops is the Asdan vocational programme, a curriculum designed for pupils aged 14 to 18.
Asdan is a preparatory stage that introduces students to many possibilities, including internships and training opportunities such as in hotels and restaurants.
This exposure not only helps students gain practical skills but also opens doors to potential employment.
At the Rashid Centre, moving to a workshop is a significant step. At 18, students undergo an assessment that considers not just their vocational skills but also their independence.
This placement ensures students are matched with workshops that align with their abilities and interests, to create an environment where they can continue to grow and develop.
Despite its comprehensive approach, the Rashid Centre is clear about its limitations. While it cannot guarantee employment, it seeks support from its network of partners to help students find jobs.
Kawka Mohsen, 37, from Yemen, joined the centre when she was 14 and was later hired as an assistant art teacher.
“Painting makes me happy and I don't feel tired when I paint. I can paint all day,” Ms Mohsen told The National.
“Art is my life, I was born to become an artist.”
Role models
Guidance in these workshops comes from experts who provide instruction and support, ensuring that students are continuously learning and adapting.
The centre's philosophy is one of lifelong learning, where there is always a skill to master and a challenge to overcome.
Head teacher Lina Abbas believes the workshops allow students to grow as independent individuals.
We prioritise inclusivity and accessibility here by including the students in everything we do
Lina Abbas
“In the workshop, they get to discover themselves and understand how important they are by being productive instead of being isolated,” she told The National.
“The students take part in competitions and participate in events where they get to showcase their work and be recognised and appreciated.
“We prioritise inclusivity and accessibility here by including the students in everything we do, like including them in extra-curricular activities and by following the same routine of any school to help them become part of society.
“We always face challenges here in the centre. The students themselves are the challenge.
“But we always work on finding a solution by working as a team. It’s never a one-man show.”
In practice
The workshops are connected to the Rashid Souq, where products created by the students are sold.
This initiative provides a practical application for their skills and teaches them about responsibility and the satisfaction of seeing their work valued by the community.
Most of the carpentry workshop projects are displayed and used in the centre like chairs, tissue boxes, trophies, tables and decorative materials.
Students in the printing workshop take part in printing the centre's magazine, called ‘Rashid Magazine’, and also work on data entry.
For students with very limited abilities, the Rashid Centre has created an independent unit focused on basic life skills and education.
This aims to ensure that every student, regardless of their ability, receives the care and education they deserve.
The academic curriculum caters to both English and Arabic speakers and it's tailored to meet the students' needs, so they can receive an education that matches their ability in a way that helps them grow.
Students are grouped based on their academic and cognitive skills, with the centre operating on a standard school calendar.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
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Transmission: 6-speed auto
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.
The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Score
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
New Zealand lead three-match ODI series 1-0
Next match: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Friday
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Brief scores:
Everton 2
Walcott 21', Sigurdsson 51'
Tottenham 6
Son 27', 61', Alli 35', Kane 42', 74', Eriksen 48'
Man of the Match: Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
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Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
New schools in Dubai
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
