The six-week program, titled “Building Hope,” was a huge success and was extended by a few days because participants wished to visit more places.
Forty young children, including 18 visually impaired ones, participated in the program. Prizes were also given to the mothers of participating children.
The concluding ceremony, held at Sheraton Hotel, was attended by a large number of dignitaries including consuls general of at least six Arab countries, executives of companies who sponsored the program, prominent artists and media persons.
Jamil Mirza, owner of Mirza Library, recited a poem composed by Baba Tahir Zamkshari.
Noted Saudi singer Mohammed Quraishi entertained the audience by singing along with children.
The children visited over 30 places, including hotels, hospitals, airports and amusement parks.  At the end of the program the children were asked to vote for the three places that they found most interesting.
They voted Al-Shera Water Park first, Ikea second and Voila Chocolate Academy third.
Mohammad Tawfiq Bellow, founder and general manager of the Jeddah-based Ebsar Foundation, expressed his thanks to everyone who contributed in making the program a success.
He said besides learning different skills, the children also learnt the art of advocacy and bringing an issue to the community’s notice in a very positive and confident way.
The idea of combining blind and sighted children together in the program had a desired result. “Many sighted children who participated in the training program came to me after the concluding session offering to help blind children,” he said.
Bellow also quoted a mother who said the program closed the gap between the rich and the poor as some of the participating children came from very rich families while others came from modest backgrounds.
‘Building Hope’ was part of Ebsar’s mission launched earlier this year to “support education and rehabilitation of 15,000 visually impaired children in the Kingdom.
MMJ, a marketing and PR company, is the main sponsor of this mission.