Braaem Independent Living (BIL), a school for special needs children particularly those coming from underprivileged expatriate families, has been doing yeoman service in the field, but of late, has been facing problems, threatening the institution’s existence.

The institution, which was established in 2010, largely relies on donations since most of the children who attend the school hail from financially underprivileged families, who find it difficult to pay the fees for the specialized education.

Outlining the institution’s objectives and the shape it has taken in the past three years, BIL Founder-Director Fiza Abdul Aziz told Arab News that the center was established for special needs children who were rejected by other centers. These children suffer from a variety of psychological or physical disorders like autism, attention deficiency and hyper-activity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, communication disorders, mental retardation and cerebral palsy.

Stating that BIL had on its rolls competent and caring professionals who serve children with special needs along with their families, she said the implicit faith in continuing with the activities is the belief that learning is a lifelong process.

“Our main vision is to provide a positive learning experience that will help children with special needs achieve success. We have quality facilities and work together with parents, students, schools and the community. We work toward ensuring societal acceptance by focusing on their positive attributes and recognizing their individual strengths and achievements,” she said.

“We are now facing a lot of problems which threaten the closure of the institution, though I am very confident that we will find some sponsorship,” she Abdul Aziz said, adding that she would never allow it to close down since it will affect many lives.

Stating that such children had all the rights to study and mingle with normal children, she said in Saudi Arabia, one can’t get proper facilities unless and until one has a proper legal status. This led to collaboration with Al-Braaem School authorities since they had the license and thus was born Braaem Independent Living.

“However, because of the requirement of special equipment, we had to move to a physiotherapy center. The rent for the place was fixed at SR 400,000 per annum, and the sponsors said they would take care of it through some adjustments. But now we are facing problems, since the school authorities have told me that they are not responsible for the center anymore and we have to take care of it,” she said.

Stating that the center had never shut down in the past three years, she said: “Our Arabic representative tried to sort out the issue, but we need more time. We are in desperate need of sponsorship and financial assistance, but so far, we haven’t succeeded.”

She said she had received some response from a few businessmen who were willing to sponsor her institution, but only on condition that she gets the required attested documents from the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce (JCCI). The existing sponsor, however, was not ready to give her the papers unless she clears the rent.

Parents of children attending BIL also expressed their anxiety about the future of their children. “Three of my daughters have developmental disabilities, and two of them also suffer from severe health and psychological problems. It’s a real challenge for us particularly when it comes to their schooling. The available schools are expensive. I got an opportunity to work in BIL, which also helped me earn some extra money for the family. My daughters were also admitted in the school,” says Nadia Husain, one of the parents.

Stating that the center’s closure would affect several families, she said the institutions not only imparted education to special needs children but also helped parents with insight on how to handle them.

Shabana Naim, another parent, said her two daughters Mahrosa Naim and Nimra Naim, aged 11 and four respectively, suffer from problems like epilepsy, drooling, speech and motor skills. “This institution is a blessing for parents like us since the government centers are only for Saudis and other private centers are expensive. If BIL closes down, where can people like us go?” she asks.