Helping Hands and Caring Hearts
PROGRAM GOAL
Caring and rehabilitation of children with Down syndrome, expanding and enhancing their capabilities and skills, and providing them with the opportunity to integrate into society and with their peers in schools.
MISSION OF INCLUSION
Advocacy and raising awareness of the issues of children with Down syndrome, and facilitating their access to various supportive, and child-centric therapeutic services.
VISION OF EMPOWERMENT
An equal Syrian society based on respect for human rights, including people with special needs – focusing on children with Down syndrome – emphasizing the principles of inclusion, empathy, respect, empowerment, and social engagement.
Letter from Abdullah
White Hearts Center – Empowering Children with Down Syndrome.
Our White Hearts journey began when my wife and I were shopping, and we observed a child with Down syndrome in the market. He appeared very shy and fearful of contact with others, holding his father’s hand tightly and keeping his eyes on the ground. With a smile, I engaged the child and his father in a short conversation. The father said that his children spend all their time at home, having no friends or place to go for entertainment. The father added, other children in parks and streets refuse to play with him, and he is also not allowed to go to school because the public schools do not accept his presence.
It is a matter of fact that this is the condition of all children with Down syndrome in Syria. They sadly do not receive any specialized services to improve their skills.
I believe in their ability to be a part of productive society based on their rights as children. They deserve to have education and a valued normal life through care, psychological support, physiotherapy, speech therapy and rehabilitation.
I was consequently motivated to establish White Hearts Center for Children with Down Syndrome based on voluntary efforts, due to my limited financial resources. These challenges and related responsibilities are accepted with my deep inner belief that one day this Center will be the go-to destination for all children with Down syndrome in North Syria.
The major turning point in the project launch happened when I met the inspiring journalist Arwa Damon, who expressed her admiration for the project in a semi-destroyed country (the city of Idlib, Syria). She conducted a field media report accompanied by photographer Brice Laine, and the report was published on the American CNN newscast in March 2021.
As a result, White Hearts Center had a light of real opportunity to step forward. After Arwa Damon’s report aired on CNN, I started communication with Mr. Jim Seidl, who adopted the project and supported WHC both emotionally and financially during the fundraising campaign he led.
Working with Jim, White Hearts Center then signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SHARE Foundation that enabled the Center to obtain the first official funding from the International Islamic Charity Organization. The project was launched and achieved great progress with support by an expanded group of supportive donors and strategic partners.
Thanks to all the supporting friends of White Hearts Center throughout the world, who’ve helped us launch and continuously improve WHC services on behalf of the children we serve.
Love and thanks to my dear friend Jim Seidl and his amazing friends, who have formed a large and growing Friends of White Hearts Center family for children with Down syndrome around the world.
The project still needs your support and care so that children with Down syndrome in Syria can enjoy their full rights and opportunities.
Abdullah Mohammed
White Hearts Center Founder