“Lebanese Art Academy” for teaching arts to people with special needs is launched
on June 05, 2014: Under the auspices of H.E. the Minister of Telecommunications Boutros Harb represented by his wife Mrs. Marlene Harb, and as part of the “alfa 4-Life” CSR program, a press conference was held to announce the launching of the “Lebanese Art Academy”- the first academy of its kind in Lebanon for teaching arts to people with special needs. This initiative falls within the continuous cooperation between alfa, managed by Orascom Telecom, and the Lebanese Autism Society (LAS).
The press conference, which was held at the Sacré Coeur school in Gemayzeh, was also attended by alfa’s Chief Communication Affairs officer, Mrs. Aline Karam, the director of the Lebanese Autism Society, Mrs. Arwa Halawi, interested stakeholders, and media representatives.
"through this academy, the Lebanese Autism Society will help people with special needs, especially gifted ones, follow art lessons with specialized professors to develop their talents in order to become active members of society"said Mrs. Halawi adding, "this is the only academy in Lebanon that will provide people with special needs a chance to enhance their artistic talents".
the young autistic artist Ali Tlais from the Lebanese Autism Society, whose talent was discovered through the “alfa 4-Life” program. Took the stage and transpired words that reflected his love of art and hope of living a normal life and practicing his favorite hobbies just like any other member of society.
Mrs. Aline Karam noted that “this initiative comes to complement other initiatives we launched with the Lebanese Autism Society, with constant support and encouragement from the Ministry of Telecommunications”, adding that through its “alfa 4-Life” CSR program, alfa has supported children with special needs for eight years through its cooperation with relevant associations, including children and adults who suffer from deafness, blindness, physical disability, and mental and social problems. She said that "children and adults with special needs are entitled to be fully integrated into the community. These children have special ways of expression, and we consider it our duty and our role as a socially responsible company to help them unleash their talents in order to benefit from them and benefit the society at the same time".
finally Mrs. Marlene Harb, representing H.E. the Minister of Telecommunications Boutros Harb, began her speech by congratulating alfa for this initiative and said: "I wish Life for alfa so that you can continue to fulfill your role in society and successfully serve its various constituents, knowing that this role should be played by the state”. Mrs. Harb hoped that "these initiatives and projects will set an example for everyone to play a similar role". She pointed out that "disability has no religion and is not a political party”, adding that "these initiatives show that there are people who work together in order to reform society and help people with special needs lead a normal life with dignity". She also hoped that "we will all emulate your efforts in launching this initiative in order to unite and reach a country with a proper society”. The press conference featured a short film highlighting the most important stages of the cooperation between alfa and the Lebanese Autism Society, and it was concluded by a cocktail party.
