Umeed-e-Noor’s efforts for special children lauded ISLAMABAD, May 11 (Online): Umeed-e-Noor celebrated annual Parents Day of special children in a local hotel at Islamabad. More than 300 participants were present in the ceremony including parents, children of Umeed-e-Noor (UEN), Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani his family and dignities from international agencies, diplomats and philanthropist attended the program. Ms. Zain Zia-ul-Haq was honored as chief guest of the occasion. In her address she applauded the sincere efforts of Umeed-e-Noor’s team translating its vision into actions providing dedicated service to the hundreds of special children. Mrs. Noori Hashwani Chairperson Umeed-e-Noor welcome the guests, appreciated the contribution of parents, teachers, volunteers and members of the executive council for their continuous support for the cause of special children. She said Umeed-e-Noor, provides vocational, occupational and speech therapies along with vocational training to encourage special children to be more independent, confident and self-helped members of society. They are also taught useful skills like pottery, computers, recycling paper and making creative art work with the help of low cost/no cost material. She highly commended and acknowledged her especial thanks to JICA for deputing Ms. Maiga Occupational Therapist who had been serving Umeed-e-Noor for last two years as a volunteer. Her spirit and contribution reflects that serving the humanity has no boundaries, no discrimination of color, race, ethnicity or language. She praised the generous donation from National Honors Society of the International School of Islamabad and greatly admired their commitment to yield the donation for the upliftment and further development of Umeed-e—Noor during the year 2007. She expressed her gratitude and best wishes to CIDA for generous contribution of Physiotherapy equipments for this school. Mrs. Hashwani highlighted the most recent achievements of the Umeed-e-Noor and informed the audiences that seven of UEN special children have joined and five children have just passed their admission tests mainstream schools. Moreover, Mr. Tanveer one of UEN students won a Bronze Medal in Special Olympics and seven students won distinguished awards . Madam Noori Hashwani on this occasion informed the audience that they are building a state of the art building in H-8 sector to accommodate more than 300 special children. The new building will be equipped with modern and scientific equipments to help special children to improve their mental and physical deficiencies and disabilities with the help of trained and expert staff. The new Umeed-e-Noor will be a center of excellence offering extensive facilities including board Room for 300 special children, occupation therapy services, physiotherapy Services, speech Therapy and vocational training centers like computers literacy, art and craft work etc . Dr. Shabbir Hussain CEO Umeed-e-Noor and Hashoo Foundation Schools said that UEN has served over 1100 children in the past one decade. He highlighted the tremendous work done by Umeed-e-Noor for the special children. He informed that the construction of the new building has already been started which requires about Rs.75 million. He stressed that it is responsibility of whole society to help and support the special children through generously giving time, knowledge and donation in kind for the construction of building, equipments and instruments and in cash. The Special children of Umeed-e-Noor presented a welcome tableau and entertained the guests through stage dramas and role-plays, which were highly appreciated and applauded by the audience. Ms. Zain Ziaul Haque Chief Guest of the ceremony distributed certificates and gifts among students and teachers. Ends End.