Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, deputy premier, interior minister and honorary chairman of the Down Syndrome Charitable Association, has decided to fund the construction of a school for children afflicted with the condition. The school, to be built over 12,000 square meters, will be run by The Voice of Down’s Syndrome Society in Jeddah. In acknowledgement of this generous donation, the association will name the school the Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz School, which will be located at Prince Sultan Civilization Center.

Princess Rima bint Sultan bin Abdulaziz, honorary member of the society, thanked Prince Mohammed for his support, which she said stemmed from his concern for the welfare of children with special needs.

The Kingdom’s government supported several such charities, which are aimed at ensuring those with these and other disabilities can “enjoy independent and decent lives,” said Princess Rima.

Princess Moudi bint Khalid bin Abdulaziz, the secretary-general of the society also thanked Prince Mohammed for his support.

Nawal Babaqi, head of the association, said Prince Mohammed’s generous donation would ease the anxiety of many parents who have been struggling to find special care and education for their children with this disability. She said many parents had approached the society for assistance. This would help achieve the goal of providing specialized care for about 45 percent of Down Syndrome children by 2030, said Babaqi.