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OpenMinds organized its third gala dinner this Monday evening at Beirut's BIEL and its president Mrs. Ghida Rabbat revealed that OpenMinds would be able soon to realize "an interactive project promising to be unique in the entire Middle East" for the youth with special needs.
The dinner was held in presence of several political, economic and social figures, including former Prime ministers Fouad Siniora and Najib Mikati, Mrs. Lama Tamam Salam, Deputy Prime minister Samir Mokbel, ministers Nohad Machnouk, Elias Bou Saab, Rony Araiji and Nabil de Freij, MP Henry Helou and former minister Ziad Baroud.
Soprano Tania Kassis sang the Lebanese national anthem without music accompaniment. The guests were treated to a very exclusive Elie Saab Fashion Show, then the star Nancy Ajram performed many of her songs. Actor Wissam Hanna hosted the evening, and a documentary on OpenMinds was as well projected.
In her message, Mrs. Rabbat urged the Lebanese society "to change its perception of persons with special needs, and evolve in the direction of recognizing and accepting them".
She highlighted the facts that ten percent of Lebanon's population have special needs, and "these people deserve equal opportunities and an effort by the whole community to facilitate their integration in traditional school curricula and in the labor market to become independent as much as possible and to feel they are full citizens living in dignity just like all the others".
Mrs. Rabbat announced that Dr. Rose Mary Boustany and her sister Nora, offered OpenMinds a 7,500 square meters land, the association intends to build on it "an interactive project promising to be unique in the entire Middle East."
Rose-Mary Boustany MD, director of AUBMC Special Kids Clinic, reminded the audience of "the successes, trials and tribulations of OpenMinds and of AUBMC Special Kids Clinic" since it was established in 2012. She noted that "support for scientific and clinical research, medical conferences, diagnostics and treatments for children in need, has exceeded $1.4 million in just 2 years", adding that the clinic has grown by 650%".
Stressing upon the importance to "recognize those who are different as part of us", she noted that "everybody deserves health, knowledge, employment and happiness".
OpenMinds' vice-president Mrs. Suha Beyhum, thanked all partners and friends of the association for their precious support.
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