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Sharjah has a special guest in Belgian princess

SHARJAH - Princess Mathilde of Belgium on Monday visited the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) as part of her official five-day visit to the UAE with a delegation of more than 100 businessmen, led by Prince Philippe, Crown Prince of Belgium.

The princess was received on arrival by Shaikha Jamila bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director General of SCHS, and was accompanied by Anneta Van den Reeck, wife of the Belgian Ambassador, in addition to other embassy staff and a Belgian media delegation.

Princess Mathilde, who has a special interest in working with vulnerable people particularly children, had worked as a speech therapy specialist in Brussels from 1995 to 1999. She established the Fund Princess Mathilde in December 2000 and has also given her patronage to several associations dealing with issues of concern for the people with special needs.

Shaikha Jamila briefed the princess on the services offered by the city and replied to several questions on the qualifications of the teachers and the therapy methods adopted in rehabilitating the students.

Shaikha Jamila spoke about the city's efforts to decrease the number of students waiting to join the SCHS in addition to the social rehabilitation programmes which offer services to the mentally and physically challenged children with the assistance of parents and families.

The princess attended several classes where students suffering from disabilities were being taught different skills. She took her time speaking to them and enquiring about their cases and the rehabilitation means adopted.

At the Al Amal institute for the deaf students, which is affiliated to SCHS, Princess Mathilde attended an English language class and spoke to the students who asked her about her visit to the UAE. She discussed with them the types of Belgian food and about Belgium in general, its geographic location, population and language.

The visit ended with the exchange of souvenirs between Shaikha Jamila and Princess Mathilde.