HOPE Qatar Centre for Persons with Disabilities has been conducting a highly successful and popular annual event Message of HOPE since 2010 as part of the organization’s mission to spread awareness in the community about children with disabilities, and the need to provide them appropriate and timely educational and training opportunities.
These events showcases individuals or groups of individuals who in spite of their challenges and disabilities, have gone on to become successful, famous, and in the process – self advocates for persons with disabilities across the world. The organization also uses this opportunity to mobilize continued corporate support to help sustain the ambitious programs of HOPE Qatar in service of Centre for persons with disabilities.
The message of HOPE is that if given the right opportunities at the right time, children with special needs can achieve great success, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that such opportunities are provided to them so that they become value adding members of the society and will not be considered as a social liability.
More information about the past and future Message of HOPE events, together with videos, photos, and ways in which you can join hands with us can be found on the different pages of this website. Please also take a moment to visit our social media pages and like us.
Please note that the links on different pages lead to different videos and photos of the events - so don't miss any of them.
It is my great honour to present to you the Message of HOPE series of events that is organized annually by HOPE Qatar Centre for Persons with Disabilities. It is a small and humble effort towards advocacy for children and persons with special needs all around the world.
As you see in the opening page of the Message of HOPE website, our effort can be compared to the flame of the candle which endures to dispel the darkness of ignorance around us. It is a sad fact that many persons in this world do not realize the immense potential that lies unexposed in many persons with special needs. Many of such gems are forced to live a life of seclusion and unfortunately remain hidden forever, partially due to lack of awareness and opportunities, and partially because of the social stigma attached to those with disabilities.
It is my great honour to present to you the Message of HOPE series of events that is organized annually by HOPE Qatar Centre for Persons with Disabilities. It is a small and humble effort towards advocacy for children and persons with special needs all around the world.
It is our hope that these messengers and their message will help create awareness and confidence in our society so that no child with disability is considered a social liability. They are human beings like you and me, and God has given us a responsibility to provide them with opportunities to succeed.
We would not have been so successful in our effort without the support of the dedicated team of Friends of HOPE, our corporate supporters and the general public, especially youth, who have stood by us in our effort since 2010, to whom I am ever thankful. I invite all of you to join in so that we can continue to make this message stronger, louder, and reach each and every person in Qatar and the region.
Together we can make a difference, together we can provide hope for their future.
Rajeev Mathew Thomas
Chairman, Message of HOPE Organizing Committee
Founder and Advisory Board Member, HOPE Qatar Centre for Persons with Disabilities
Sujeet Desai the Messenger of HOPE 2010 is a young adult with Down's Syndrome living with his parents in United States of America. With the help of his mother and father who are strong advocates for his rights and abilities, Sujeet dispelled all doubts about his abilities by proving that he was more abled than disabled.
Sujeet who holds a Masters Degree in Music from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy in Massachusetts plays over 7 musical instruments. He is also a master of taekwondo, a great orator, swimmer, medalist at various Special Olympics events. He has been the recipient of various national awards in USA. He has appeared on various international news channels, featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and travels around the world advocating the cause of persons with special needs. Currently Sujeet travels around the world spreading the Message of HOPE and is a source of inspiration for thousands of youngsters and their parents who see Sujeet as a role model and a benchmark for what their own children with disabilities can achieve.
In Qatar, Sujeet and his mother Dr. Sindoor Desai joined hands with HOPE Qatar Centre for Persons with Disabilities for two separate events.
In a special seminar held at the Doha Modern Indian School Qatar, Sujeet and his mother spoke to parents, teachers, educators, social workers, and persons working with disabled, and a sizeable number of youngsters. Sujeet presented a musical power point workshop titled 'Story of My Life' in which he shares his story from infancy till after his marriage, his current independent life and also described his struggles with self advocacy during his various achievements.
Dr. Sindoor who is the President of Asian Parents of Children with Down’s Syndrome, and Sujeet’s mother, talked in her widely acclaimed workshop about life time parental advocacy for a special child, and how to apply “Theory of multiple intelligences” to overcome their weaknesses and bring the best in the child. She also explained various researches to show how human brain can be trained to use multiple intelligence theory in medical field as well as in schools.
In a separate event a few days later, Sujeet Desai enthralled music lovers from across nationalities at the Qatar Aspire Hall at a special musical concert during which he showed his musical abilities on various instruments. He was accompanied by the chamber members of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra which is a member of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. The collection of songs included famous Western Classical numbers along with popular Hollywood Musical themes. Sujeet combined his musical abilities with his wit and humor and emphasized the message that if children with disabilities are given opportunities, they can achieve great success in life. His parting message to the audience was 'if they have at least one of the many different intelligences, then they should not be called DISABLED'.
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Nick Vujicic the Messenger of HOPE 2011 left a permanent impression on the youth and general public in his first ever visit to Qatar on 10 February 2011 through 2 events attended by thousands of people both young and old.
Nick who was born without arms and legs has overcome his personal challenges and is today one of the world's most admired motivational speaker with over 3 million fans across the world.
Nick joined HOPE Qatar in spreading the Message of HOPE through two separate events on the same day.
In a session attended by the who-is-who of the corporate and government sector in Qatar held at the La Cigale Hotel, Nick inspired hundreds of policy makers, diplomats, ambassadors and corporate heads and employees to overcome their challenges and to never give up.
In the evening, Nick addressed thousands of youth in an unforgettable evening at the Qatar Foundation Education City Student Center. He combined his wit and humor with the strong message from his own life and left the audience both roaring with laughter and crying with emotions. He left with the promise to return to Qatar once again.
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The 2012–13 edition of Message of HOPE was a powerful, inspiring event from February 3 to 14, 2013, held at the Hamad bin Khalifa University Student Center Art Gallery at Education City in Doha, Qatar.
It featured five extraordinary artists from the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) organization, whose powerful motto is “Self-help, not charity.” These artists paint with their mouths or feet. Overcoming immense challenges, these artists embody resilience and creativity, proving true strength that comes from within.
Visitors were captivated by the extraordinary paintings, each brushstroke a testament to the artists’ spirit and talent.
Held at Education City, the exhibition captivated large audiences with hundreds of thousands in attendance, while workshops engaged thousands of participants in a unique experience of determination and talent.
A nationwide student art competition celebrated young creativity, making this more than an art event — a moving testament that physical limitations can never limit the human spirit.
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