Renaissance Services has donated RO 85,000 (US$ 221,000) in 2009 as part of its pledge to support local organization Association of Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs with RO 250,000 (US$ 650,000) over three years.

Renaissance reported the arrangement last year as a fund toward a diploma programme in special education for 45 Omani teachers. The outcome will enable the graduates to acquire specialist skills that assist the empowerment of the young children to live active roles in society.

The Association aims to create a model resource centre and training programmes that serves disabled children with a comprehensive early intervention that covers social, medical, physical, occupational therapies and academic services.

Renaissance CEO Stephen Thomas said, “While we do not normally publicize specific donations made as part of the corporate social responsibility programme at Renaissance, beyond the disclosure requirements as a public company listed on the Muscat Securities Market, on this occasion we would like to urge others to support the outstanding work of the Association in whatever way they can. We can all learn from these wonderful children who take on their challenges with positive thinking and possess qualities of friendship and unconditional love from which we might all learn. It is clear that these young children can make an outstanding contribution to society as they progress through life.”

One of the objectives of the Association is to encourage the enrollment of these children in regular schools with proper support and to minimize their disabilities to ensure a better quality of life that these children deserve.