Prince Alwaleed Meets Princess Samira Al-Farhan Chairman of Charitable Society of Autism Families

HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global", received at his office in Riyadh HH Princess Samira Bint Abdullah Al-Faisal Al-Farhan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Charitable Society of Autism Families and an accompanying delegation.

The delegation included Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Othman, Vice President of the Assembly and General Supervisor of the Saudi Electronic University branches, Dr. Saad Abdul Mohsen Al-Otaibi, Appointed Executive Director and adviser to the Association, Mr. Bander Mohsen Hassan member of the Board of Directors, Dr. Dhahi Al-Dhahi, Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors and Media Advisor. Members of the Board of Directors, Ms. Munira Abdul Rahman Al-Zouman, Ms. Huda Abdullah Haider, Ms. Siham Abdulaziz Al-Dosari, and Ms. Amaal Hamid Al-Harbi. Amongst the visitors were three children from the direct beneficiaries of the Association’s programs, and Ms. Enas Al-Hakami, Media Consultant at the Association.

The meeting was also attended by members of Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" that included Ms. Abir Kaki, Secretary General, HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Bin Saud Alsaud, Executive Manager, Media and PR and Ms. Amal Al AlGrafi, Operational Manager.

During the meeting, Princess Samira expressed her gratitude and praised HRH Prince Alwaleed’s efforts and interest in supporting children with Autism, and briefed His Highness on the results achieved by the specialized courses supported by the Foundation. Twenty (20) specialists were trained in art therapy, which is one of the many factors that help a child’s progress.

In 2012, Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" collaborated with the Charitable Society for Autism Families in support of the program; the first of its kind in the Arab world.  This program applies a curriculum that qualifies specialists in Art Therapy, who can help satisfy a great need in the community.

These courses are designed to develop the beneficiaries in two directions: psychologically and through Art Therapy. This highlights how psychology and Art Therapy are intertwined and sheds light on how both fields are scientifically linked and applicable. The courses were conducted at the Art Rehabilitation Center, a bureau licensed by the Institute of King Abdullah Research and Consulting Studies at King Saud University that has taken the lead to set up such courses.