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Santhosh Chandran
Doha
Ciby Mathew, Founding Director of Hope Qatar, an institute for children with special needs, and a beacon of hope for large numbers of children with special needs, left Qatar after 13 years of successful humanitarian service amid emotional adieus that came as a shock to many.
Students, parents and colleagues of Hope Qatar arranged a befitting farewell for Mathew as a mark of respect and gratitude to Mathew at a function in Doha recently.
The farewell ceremony was attended by patron of Hope Qatar, Jummah Ismail al Boeinein, President of Indian Cultural Centre, Milan Arun, prominent Indian community member and all- time supporter of Hope Qatar, Nizar Kochery, prominent personalities from the Indian community, parents and students.
Hope Qatar has offered hope to a number of expatriate children with special needs since it was founded in 2013. Even though scientific training programmes constituted the foundation of the curriculum of the school, Ciby's charisma always reflected everywhere both in the functioning of the institution and personal life of every child.
For both students and employees, Dr Ciby was a loving ?Mom' rather than ?Madam' or an official on duty. She was available for them round the clock, and Hope Qatar was an extension of their home. She always spurred them to do more and grow beyond their limitations.
In an emotionally charged farewell speech, Ciby Mathew said that as an institute for the children with special needs, Hope Qatar has now its own address and identity in Doha. She talked at length about her work and life in Doha: œIt gives me a sense of pride and fulfillment that Hope Qatar has made lots of parents feel their children are equal to other children in society. My efforts in this direction will continue wherever I am, ? Ciby said even though she doesn't have any clear plan back in India.
Herself mother of a differently-abled child, Ciby Mathew founded Hope Qatar in 2005 with the vision to light up the lives of children with special needs. It doesn't only help them overcome their handicap by equipping them with life skills but also emboldens them to interact with others in society on equal terms. Inspired by Ciby's vision, a number of likeminded people from the Indian community in Doha joined her mission.
Ciby was always keen to involve the Hope Qatar children in all public activities and functions in the way others do. No wonder, children of the institute projected their own concepts and ideas through public functions including Indian Independence Day celebrations and many other functions which grabbed wide attention. Ciby never allowed her children to miss any important public functions. Her students held their own while participating in public functions like Qatar National Day and Sports Day and were able to undertake local and international trips like any other ordinary children. It all made her more than a teacher. She took the achievements of her pupils as her own and a reward for her endeavours.
The honours she received for her initiatives include a letter of appreciation from the United Nations and words of recognition from various embassies in Qatar. She always ensured academic excellence of students and enabled them to attend public examinations through ?Open Schooling' programmes.
Acknowledging Ciby's contributions, Patron of Hope Qatar Jummah Ismail al Boeinein said that Ciby played a key role in building up Hope Qatar. œTo bring this institution to where it stands today is not a small feat and much of the credit goes to this lady of strong will and noble vision. ?
Even though Ciby has gone back to India, those closely associated with her mission in Doha and students of Hope Qatar strongly believe that her spirit will always be there to guide them like a beacon of light.
