In line with Sheikh Mohammed’s National Strategy for Empowering People with Disabilities as well as the initiatives set for the Year of Giving 2017, he would like to turn Dubai into a friendly city for persons with disabilities by 2020 and call the disabled ‘People with Determination’. DEWA is the first government body to take this strategy forward on December 13th, and organized its gathering for Happiness and Integration of People with Determination in the Innovation Tent at their headquarters. The event date is even more significant as it falls on the ‘Arab Day for People with Disability’.
Mosaic Live happily took on this project and created a People with Determination event with activities that everyone will enjoy regardless of their disability.The Innovation Tent was transformed to a market styled setting where the People with Determination exhibited and sold their handicrafts, paintings, hand-made products as well as sharing their skills in many traditional and national activities. To add a touch of color, green and red table cloths were placed on all the tables and fairy lights hung from the ceiling to create a starry sky.
The gathering was inaugurated by HH Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, and highlighted the importance of such events and emphasized the role of integrating the people with disabilities into society and meeting their needs. Mosaic Live created a String Art activity where employees and guests will weave the UAE colors from string to create the flag. Also, a canvas backdrop made of canvas paper for paint was positioned as the ‘Tree of Determination’ where employees and People with Determination would place their paint dipped palms on the tree branch designs to create ‘leaves’ made from their hand print. The assortment of colors that created that tree was mesmerizing since the tree was covered in hand prints from both the guests and employees! To add a cultural touch to the activations, a wooden panel with a falcon outline was positioned next to the tree. The falcon outline needs to be filled with different bottle caps in a range of colors. It was a crowd favorite as the finished result was a beautifully filled falcon made entirely of bottle caps.
To further the market styled theme, an ice cream truck was parked behind the tent and served different icy treats. As a way of giving back to the community, the ice cream truck donated 10% of their profits to organizations that treat People with Determination. Guests were able to enjoy the outdoors on picnic benches, colorful oil drums and bean bags as well as a crate styled seating area. Fresh popcorn was served along with hamburger sliders and finger foods at lunch time.
This experience not only engaged the employees and guests of DEWA but also the People of Determination which gave them a sense of importance and stand in society. It was an experience that brought everyone together as one and ensured that there is always a place for them in our community and heart.