Latest news with #SSSD
Sharjah 24
a day ago
- General
- Sharjah 24
SAVW Presents the Young Volunteer
The workshop was presented by Ms. Suad Al Shamsi, SAVW Acting Director, and attended by 25 children between the ages of 7 and 12. Introducing volunteering concept The workshop focused on introducing children to the concepts of volunteer work and its importance in serving the community, highlighting the various areas in which they can contribute, depending on their age and interests. The programme included a fun, practical component, where the children made bird feeders using simple materials. They then coloured them and filled them with food, ready to be hung outdoors. These activities were met with great interaction from the children, who demonstrated enthusiasm and creativity in their execution, fostering a spirit of giving and a sense of responsibility toward the environment and society. Developing volunteering spirit SAVW emphasised that this workshop falls within the framework of its vision to develop a spirit of volunteering among children from an early age and provide them with skills that will enhance their future community participation. SAVW noted that building a generation aware of the importance of volunteering contributes to achieving the emirate's vision of instilling the values of giving and effective contribution to building society. The Award commended SSSD efforts for continuing to raise awareness among children through the Hasad Programme, which is a pioneering model for investing children's free time during the school holidays in useful and enjoyable activities that contribute to developing their personalities and skills. This participation is part of a series of initiatives and events that SAVW seeks to implement in cooperation with various entities, promoting the concept of volunteer work and achieving integration among community institutions to serve all segments of society.
Sharjah 24
6 days ago
- Health
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Guides Kuwait's Age-Friendly City Journey
The workshop reviewed the Emirate of Sharjah's experience in the field of age-friendly cities. The workshop supported Kuwait's efforts to join UNESCO's Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities, which Sharjah became the first Arab city to join in 2017. Enhancing Arab cooperation The initiative comes within SSSD commitment to spreading the culture of age-friendly cities and sharing its expertise with relevant regional and international bodies. The department was keen to organise this training meeting to enhance Arab cooperation and provide the necessary technical and knowledge support to enable sister countries to adopt international standards in elderly care. Asmaa Al-Khudari, Director of the Office of Age-Friendly Quality and Health Services at the department, explained that the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health has shown great interest in joining the network, based on its significant efforts to serve the elderly through various projects and programmes. Sharing Sharjah's pioneering experience The ministry is currently seeking to unify these efforts within a comprehensive framework that takes into account the requirements of the international network. Al-Khudari added that the meeting is the second of its kind to be organised at the official request of the ministry. It aims to help them implement the age-friendly city standards and share Sharjah's pioneering experience in this field. Al-Khudari confirmed that SSSD always welcomes providing technical and advisory support to any entity seeking to create a better environment for the elderly. Enhancing knowledge and exchanging experiences Al-Khudari indicated that organising such workshops is part of the department's strategy to enhance knowledge and exchange experiences, and to consolidate Sharjah's role as a knowledge centre and source of inspiration for Arab cities seeking to improve services for the elderly. Al-Khudari said she hopes to see soon see the State of Kuwait on the list of the global network member cities, alongside other Arab countries that embrace this shared humanitarian vision. The workshop was attended by a number of officials from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, including Dr. Fatima Bin Dhafari, Director of the Department of Health Services for the Elderly, and Dr. Amal Al Yahya, Director of the Healthy Cities Office. A number of coordinators from government and private institutions involved in serving the elderly also attended, along with a distinguished group of elderly Kuwaitis. This reflects the ministry's commitment to listening to their feedback and taking it into consideration when developing future policies and programmes.
Sharjah 24
11-06-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
SSSD & Sharjah Municipality discuss electronic linkage system
The visit aimed to discuss ways of cooperation in electronic linkage and the exchange of data related to property ownership for beneficiaries of the department's services, particularly after the owner's death. This will contribute to achieving fairness and accuracy in assistance disbursement. The delegation was headed by Ms. Alia Al Zaabi, Director of the Social Assistance Department, and included Ms. Fatima Al Zarouni, Head of the Periodic Research Department, and Mr. Rashid Al Ketbi from the Information Technology Department. They were received by Mr. Faisal Al Mansouri, Head of the Rental Contracts Review Department, and Mr. Abdullah Al Shehail, Director of Rental Regulation at Sharjah City Municipality. Integrating databases During the meeting, several vital topics were discussed, most notably the importance of integrating databases between the two entities. This will enable SSSD to access accurate and up-to-date information on the properties owned by beneficiaries and verify their real estate returns when considering eligibility for assistance, especially after the owner's death, as the Emirates ID is revoked and direct access to property data is difficult. The department explained that this step comes in response to an urgent need in the social sector, as the lack of information after the owner's death leads to gaps in the assessment of eligible cases, which may result in inaccurate assistance disbursement. Thanks to the advanced electronic system adopted by Sharjah Municipality, it has become possible to link information to the property or plot number, allowing for continuous and automated tracking of any changes or updates to properties. Digital transformation The Social Assistance Department praised the advanced role played by Sharjah City Municipality in digital transformation and updating its electronic systems to enhance the quality of services provided to the community, stressing that this type of cooperation represents an exemplary model of government integration among local departments in the emirate. For its part, Sharjah Municipality welcomed this cooperation and expressed its willingness to support the department's efforts in developing social work mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of exchanging information to achieve efficiency and transparency in the provision of services to the local community. Realising social justice It is worth noting that SSSD seeks, through such partnerships, to build a smart system for social assistance. It is based on actual data and contributes to improving the quality of life for beneficiaries, in line with the Sharjah government's efforts to achieve social justice and sustainable development.
Sharjah 24
27-05-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
SSSD promotes children's awareness of their rights
International Child Helpline Day The initiative coincides with the International Child Helpline Day. On this occasion, SSSD organises awareness campaigns and a variety of activities targeting government and private schools, as well as child-focused centres across Sharjah. The aim is to highlight the importance of the child helpline in offering protection and support for children. The campaign is delivered by a team of social workers, legal researchers, psychologists, and social educators from the Child and Family Protection Centre, along with the Social Education Department and educators from the Department's branches. These sessions are being held in both public and private schools throughout the emirate. A safe environment that respects dignity The initiative targets 575 children across Sharjah, providing educational and awareness programs designed to inform them of their fundamental rights and empower them to report and seek help in the event of abuse or neglect. This initiative is part of SSSD's broader vision to support all children, including those with disabilities, by raising their awareness within a safe environment that respects their rights and preserves their dignity. The program also aims to help children understand their rights, equip them with the tools they need to protect themselves, and ensure an environment that fosters healthy and safe development. A range of rights are covered Fatima Al Marzouqi, Director of the Child and Family Protection Centre, stated that these awareness programs are part of SSSD's ongoing efforts to safeguard children's rights and increase their awareness. She explained that SSSD is constantly working to provide all necessary means to ensure a decent life for children and to enable their healthy growth so they may become active contributors to society. Al Marzouqi added that the initiative extends beyond the city of Sharjah and includes all cities within the emirate in a comprehensive step targeting child-focused centres to ensure the message reaches children of all backgrounds. She noted that SSSD, through the Child and Family Protection Centre, continues to strengthen its efforts to protect children from all forms of abuse and neglect. This reflects the department's vision of building a safe and supportive community for children. She pointed out that the "I Have a Voice" initiative is one of the specialised programs that contributes to instilling the values of justice, equality, and dignity in children while fostering an ideal environment that guarantees their rights and supports their future aspirations. Focus on children's fundamental rights The program covers a series of core topics that focus on children's fundamental rights. These include the right to a dignified life and government support to meet their basic needs, as well as the right to justice, healthcare, and education to promote equality and ensure equal opportunities. It also addresses protection from abuse and exploitation, the promotion of community safety for children, and the right to express opinions and participate socially key factors in ensuring that children feel empowered and integrated. In addition, it offers special care for children with disabilities tailored to their unique needs and requirements. The program also ensures a balance between protection and leisure by promoting the right to play, recreation, and privacy.
Sharjah 24
17-04-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
SSSD launches new phase of awareness ambassadors prog
The new module continues the mission by instilling family-oriented values and reinforcing the importance of intergenerational respect, especially towards parents and grandparents. It targets approximately 800 participants between the ages of 6 and 17 from within the community, with enrolment now open via the department's official website: Empowering children to lead family-centred change According to Maryam Majid Al Shamsi, Director of the Branches Sector at SSSD, the 'Respect for Parents Ambassadors' programme is designed to raise awareness among children about the importance of honouring one's parents. It encourages children to take active roles in organising events and awareness sessions that target families—specifically parents and caregivers—through knowledge-based and media-supported engagement. These initiatives are implemented in partnership with key stakeholders across the emirate. Al Shamsi highlighted the programme's multifaceted goals, including fostering a generation that is socially aware, emotionally connected to their families, and equipped to contribute meaningfully to society. The curriculum promotes intergenerational communication and creates joint child-parent activities to strengthen familial ties. Core values such as responsibility, compassion, sustainability, and respect for the elderly are central to the programme's philosophy. Children's skills in awareness creation and public engagement are also a priority, as these competencies are seen as foundational for their future roles in society. To guide participants, a comprehensive manual has been developed, detailing all programme pillars and requirements for earning the title of 'Respect for Parents Ambassadors.' Looking ahead: expanding future awareness themes Al Shamsi praised the department's strategic vision for expanding the 'Awareness Ambassadors' initiative, noting that several future modules are already in development. Among them is the 'Ambassadors of Protection' module, which will teach children how to identify and avoid various forms of abuse. Another upcoming component, 'Ambassadors of Volunteering,' aims to instill a culture of volunteerism and community service in children from an early age. These future initiatives are considered a natural extension of the department's evolving awareness strategy, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing a well-informed and socially responsible generation. Innovative peer-led learning for real-life impact The 'Awareness Ambassadors' programme stands out as a community-rooted initiative that professionally and creatively prepares children and adolescents to become active messengers of social awareness. The model emphasises peer-to-peer education, believing that children can influence one another more effectively due to shared experiences and communication styles. Participants are equipped with a blend of cognitive, practical, and media-related skills. The programme employs modern, age-appropriate methods to enhance the reach and resonance of its messages. By enabling young people to share knowledge with their peers, the department aims to create a ripple effect that embeds social values more deeply within the community. Each programme module is carefully selected based on real data and societal needs assessments. This ensures that every topic aligns with the actual challenges facing children today, enabling the creation of purposeful and impactful awareness campaigns. Programme goals at a glance: • Develop socially aware young ambassadors who deliver messages derived from their daily experiences, ensuring that the content resonates authentically among peers. • Create a sustainable leadership model where the child drives the content and direction of the awareness initiatives. • Foster leadership skills and personal growth through engaging, constructive activities that boost confidence and independence. • Promote cross-sector collaboration by involving all child-focused entities to contribute their expertise to building a well-rounded support system.
