Gayatri Narasimhan, a teacher, and trainer of a school for special needs children in Oman is excited. And the reason for that is, her special student, an Omani boy with Down syndrome.

Abdullah Saleh Salim Al Ruqaishi, a 17-year-old, will be representing the Sultanate in Special Olympics which will kick off in Abu Dhabi on March 14, thanks to his parents and trainers.

“I can’t tell, how much I am excited. I knew him for several years. I was one of the trainers in the school for five years where Abdullah pursued studies. He has grown up now to represent his country, Gayatri told The Arabian Stories in an interview.

Abdullah will be competing in sailing as a part of Oman Sail team.

“Abdullah is a very social and lively person. He is a fast learner as well. More than that, he is a perfectionist,” Gayatri added.

How it all started?
“One fine day, I got a call from Abdullah’s mother requesting help to train Abdullah in some job-oriented skill which makes him independent. It was quite challenging. But I was confident that I would be able to help Abdullah. So, took up the responsibility happily,” Gayatri said.

“I started to train myself and Abdullah from that point itself. We designed a project for Abdullah which enhances his skill development,” Gayatri added.

To begin with, Gayatri started to train him to make designer candles followed by bath soap making.

“After that, we started to teach him how to do block printing. Now, he does embroidery work. He also now knows how to make chocolates and beautiful bouquets,” she said. 

A year after, Gayatri felt that Abdullah is becoming independent and the only thing they felt is that he needed an opportunity.

“So we started to give him some exposure and he grabbed it well. He proved us that he is capable of doing things alone,” she said.

“Only thing he needed was adult supervision,” she added. 

And now, Abdullah and his mother are set to open a new shop at Al Hail in which all the products made by him will be sold.

The opening of the shop is expected after his return from the Special Olympics.

“Now, we are in search of corporates and kind-hearted people who can help us in setting up the shop for Abdullah as his family can’t afford it,” Gayatri added.

According to Gayatri, Abdullah’s project was designed to show society that these children are not to be confined to home and they can also become independent like normal ones.

“They do have skills and talent which we have to cultivate and encourage. They can do wonders,” she said.

“Our society should come forward and encourage these children. Companies and institutions should hire these kids and support them to become independent.  Children with autism are excellent with routine jobs which a normal child or an adult can’t do,” she explained.

“When a child is continuously working it is very good therapy for them as they can improve their skills and it reduces their erratic behaviour etc. our main focus is on that,” she said.

Gayatri’s focus is to help a child to attain a meaningful occupation as therapy.

Gayatri and her team have designed a new course for Abdullah and his friends.

“It’s about multimedia, web designing, photography etc. It is designed and prepared by a therapist, professionals, and special education counsellors and we will be launching it soon in Oman,” she said.

“So this will help these children to enter into photography related area and job as well,” she added.

She also requests Oman to have a center for children with disabilities in awarding them with certificate according to their skill level or achievement which helps these children to become independent.

“And these centers should reach the rural areas of Oman,” she concluded.