STUDENT LENDS A HELPING HAND
Emma Grimes, a Year 13 student from the British School Al Khubairat, started volunteering at The Future Centre for Special Needs in Abu Dhabi back in 2010. The Future Centre is a non-profit organisation which specialises in the rehabilitation and education of individuals with special needs between the ages of three and 14. Despite the pressure of school work and upcoming A-levels, Emma volunteered on a weekly basis for eight months and was assigned to a class of children with learning difficulties.
What motivated you to volunteer?
I was incredibly motivated to volunteer as I have always loved being around children and I was very moved by the immense effort and progress that the Future Centre has made in helping these children reach their full potential. I’ve always known that I would pursue a career in healthcare, particularly one involving children, and so I viewed this incredible opportunity as an experience that could help me better understand the needs of these students.
How did you volunteer?
At the British School Al Khubairat, they give Sixth Form students the opportunity to volunteer at the Future Centre every year. We organised our own transportation to take us there and back, so every week a couple of friends and I would leave school during our break so that we didn’t miss any lessons.
How has it affected you and what have you taken away from your experience?
When I started volunteering, I was very worried that I wouldn’t interact well with the students and that I might say or do the wrong thing. However, they kindly welcomed me into their class and they were vibrant and funny. I believe that I have grown into a more confident, imaginative and happy person and it has confirmed my career choice as a Speech and Language Therapist. I treasure the time that I spent at the Future Centre as it also taught me a lot about helping others and how to be a better person.
Do you think volunteers are beneficial to the Future Centre?
Absolutely! Every bit of help volunteers provide is immensely appreciated, not only by the students, but by the staff as well. I think that volunteers are very beneficial to the students as they encourage them to interact with new people; they enjoyed our company as much as we enjoyed theirs. This sort of experience is incredibly rewarding and unforgettable!
Is there any moment in particular that you enjoyed the most during your time volunteering?
I loved every moment I spent volunteering at the Future Centre, but particularly, I remember a party they threw shortly before the Christmas break. We played several games and everyone was constantly laughing and cheering for one another, which was so much fun! I’ll always remember the delight on their faces as we did the ‘Limbo’ and ‘Musical Chairs’, and how happy it made me that they were having such a great time.
If you would like to volunteer, call the Future Centre for Special Needs on (02) 666 9625.
By Yasmine Ziadat
