Latest news with #SharjahSocialServicesDepartment
Sharjah 24
17-07-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Umm Abdul Latif: Sculpting Heritage Through Clay
Al Asalah Club In 2005, Umm Abdul Latif joined Al Asalah Club, affiliated with the Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD). This club includes dozens of mothers over the age of 60. It aims to provide diverse social, recreational, and educational services to the elderly, with the aim of integrating them socially and enhancing their skills and abilities. It also seeks to document heritage and pass it on to younger generations. Beginning of a Journey Umm Abdul Latif's journey began after she completed her duties of raising her children, ensuring their well-being, and completing her studies. She began a new phase, which she described as the end of the beginning—the end of raising and caring for her children, and the beginning of realising her dream of introducing today's generation to their rich heritage and practicing her hobby of making traditional models. The Opportunity The opportunity came when the school asked one of her grandchildren to create a special model of the UAE, crafted by their parents. She designed the model, which won an award, and after that, her journey began. Umm Abdul Latif added that she designed this museum, which contains many details from her childhood, and she hosted important foreign and Arab figures. Awards Umm Abdul Latif made sure to visit the museum after her experience developed not only in the UAE but also regionally, and she won numerous awards, including the "Fariha Al Sabah Award for Ideal Mother" in Kuwait and the "Influential Figure Award" in Bahrain. She received an honorary doctorate from the American University of Technology, where her sculptures were greatly admired for their lifelike quality. She also received more than 300 certificates of appreciation from various institutions. Going Back in Time Umm Abdul Latif continued that many people around her want to buy her sculptures, but she refuses to sell them and prefer to give them as gifts, simply because they represent history... and history cannot be sold. She added that she is very happy when she is invited to participate in a heritage event, and she feels proud when she sees the admiring looks of others for the sculptures. This means that she has achieved her goal: to touch the depths of her being, to go back in time, and to discover these beautiful images filled with love, harmony, and affection between individuals in society. The Museum Umm Abdul Latif confirmed that this is often missed in people's lives today. She lived through both the eras before and after the oil era, and she loved both eras, regardless of their differences. Today, she hosts visitors in her museum, which she has renovated in every visual aspect, from lighting to attractive display of models on shelves. She also organises craft workshops in cooperation with Al Asalah Club, affiliated with SSSD, and encourages today's generation to learn about the UAE beautiful heritage. The museum's collections are models of real places, crafted in a lively, artisanal way, explaining the meaning of the material. Natural materials are used as they are. Umm Abdul Latif stated that she does not copy or rely on available images, but rather are engraved in her imagination. she bring them to life as they appear: the alleys, summer houses, winter houses, the barjeel, Sarah Haussmann Hospital, the neighbourhood tailor, the kuttab house, the fabric shop, Umm Abdul Latif Sculpting Heritage Through Clay, the Abu Dhabi Fountain, and many more. Future Generation With this passionate spirit and strong will, Umm Abdul Latif continues her exceptional story, shouldering a noble mission to preserve heritage and pass it on to future generations. The sculptures she created were not merely works of art, but a living pulse of the memory of place and time, telling the details of life with honesty and warmth. Umm Abdul Latif is not only a lover of heritage, but has become a living symbol of it, embodying through her story how passion can transform into a message, and memories can become a vibrant museum.
Sharjah 24
07-05-2025
- Health
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah hosts awareness session on Green Heart Award for seniors
The session, held at the Indaba Hall in Sharjah Safari, welcomed 59 elderly participants from the Eastern and Central regions, Al Hamriyah, and Sharjah city. The initiative aims to encourage participation in the award's fourth cycle, which honours individuals aged 60 and above for their lifelong contributions and life experiences, offering valuable lessons to younger generations. Strong engagement from senior citizens The Office of Age-Friendly Quality and Health Services noted the growing interest among senior citizens in the emirate. Accordingly, similar sessions will be held across various locations in the coming period to reach a wider audience. The session focused on clarifying the award's purpose and categories and addressed participant inquiries regarding eligibility and registration. The event featured a comprehensive presentation on the award's objectives, participation criteria, and the crucial roles seniors play in advancing community, health, volunteer, cultural, and family initiatives. It also highlighted the importance of intergenerational communication to pass on their knowledge and experiences. Effective past experiences and participation The session opened with the national anthem, followed by welcoming remarks and a video featuring previous award winners, who shared the impact the award had on their lives and offered support to new applicants. Another video presentation introduced the award, its fields, categories, and standards, and explained how to register via the Age-Friendly Sharjah Programme's website. Applications opened on 7 April and will continue until 25 June. Interested seniors can apply through the official website: Award goals and categories The award seeks to acknowledge the contributions of older adults across various fields while encouraging them to adopt healthier, more active lifestyles that enhance their quality of life. It also aims to promote the concept of the 'Green Heart' and the principles of active ageing, in addition to supporting Sharjah's membership in the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities. There are two main award categories: 'Active Senior' and 'Distinguished Senior,' each covering four core areas—cultural, social, health, and professional. Winners are honoured during an annual ceremony aligned with the International Day of Older Persons and the Senior Services Forum hosted by the Sharjah Social Services Department.
Gulf Today
15-04-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Emirati family adopts fourth child through Sharjah Social Services
The Children Social Care Home, affiliated with the Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD), handed over the fourth child designated for adoption in 2025 to the foster family, an initiative which reflects the UAE community's commitment to values of compassion and solidarity, highlighting the role of Emirati families in supporting children deprived of a suitable family environment. The adoption process was completed after the family met the department's criteria, including social, psychological, and economic evaluations, to ensure their ability to provide a stable, secure, and nurturing environment for the child. Hanan Al Khayyal, Director of the Children Social Care Home, emphasised that this initiative is a significant achievement in promoting humanitarian values. She encouraged Emirati families to consider fostering children, highlighting the immense reward and profound impact such a step has on both the child's life and society.
Sharjah 24
30-03-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
SRERD leads Ramadan initiatives to promote community solidarity
Distribution of Iftar meals The initiatives included the distribution of 1,000 Iftar meals in cooperation with the Sharjah Charity International on the occasion of "Zayed Humanitarian Work Day," which falls on the 19th of Ramadan each year. Ramadan tent and food rations The department also distributed 100 daily Iftar meals at a Ramadan tent, set up in cooperation with the same entity in Kalba city. Additionally, food rations known as "Ramadan Meer" were provided to eligible public service employees. Collective Iftar at Sharjah Elderly Home The department organized a collective Iftar at the Sharjah Elderly Home as part of the "Our Guests" initiative launched by the Sharjah Social Services Department. This initiative aims to promote respect and appreciation for the elderly, a valuable segment of Emirati society. "Eid Joy" initiative In collaboration with the Big Heart Foundation, the department prepared the "Eid Joy" initiative, providing Eid clothing to children from needy families, bringing joy to their hearts and fostering solidarity and social compassion. Director General's Statement His Excellency Abdul Aziz Ahmed Al-Shamsi, Director General of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, highlighted that these initiatives align with the department's commitment to supporting humanitarian work and promoting the values of giving during Ramadan. He emphasized the department's dedication to contributing to community initiatives that reflect unity and solidarity within society. Future goals Al-Shamsi expressed the department's ongoing commitment to charitable work and its plans to expand the scope of initiatives in the coming years, enhancing the culture of social responsibility and supporting those in need. He also extended his appreciation to the department's employees for their active participation in these initiatives.
Sharjah 24
21-03-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
SSSD organizes Eid Al-Fitr 'Intaj' exhibition
On this occasion, Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of the Production Center, said that the exhibition aims to display the products of productive families who are eligible for social security in the department, from the five packages: the 'Tayeb' package for perfumes and incense, the 'Atayeb' package, which includes ghee, spices, and coffee, the 'Elegance' package for clothes and accessories, the 'Mahra' package for traditional crafts, and the 'Creativity' package for handicrafts. This occasion is one of the events that the Production Center has been organizing annually, to allow the public to choose Eid items and to get acquainted with the products of productive families who benefit from the department's services, in addition to marketing their products, which have become well-known to members of the community because they meet the needs of the local market, are of competitive quality in the market, and carry the 'Production' trademark. We first evaluate the product before displaying it in terms of the raw materials used and the external appearance, in addition to the presence of a card on the product. Every buyer of products worth 400 dirhams will receive a purchase voucher worth 100 dirhams provided by the Sharjah Cooperative Society. The director of the "Intaj" center added that the goal is to market the members' products, which offer competitive products and services in the local market, in addition to introducing the center to the public and raising the economic status of families receiving social assistance by providing them with the opportunity to participate in exhibitions, events, and other activities. Al Hammadi added that the Sharjah Social Services Department, as a supporter, will cover all necessary expenses, including rent and exhibition requirements, so that participating members will not incur any fees or financial payments. It's worth noting that the "Intaj" Center offers its members' products for sale on its online store platform, with a delivery service.
