CAIRO: In a ceremony Wednesday, international NGO Caritas honored over 20 people with special needs after they completed training courses it offered in different fields under the supervision of the Ministry of Health's department of mental and psychological health. The courses were offered as part of Caritas' rehabilitation program and were taught by its professionals who were also honored during the ceremony. Magdy Garas, vice president of Caritas, highlighted the importance of integrating people with special needs into the society. "The outcome [of this program] is a live example of the results that can be achieved if mentally challenged people get a chance to mingle in the society, he said. The honorees were treated in both Al-Abbasseya and Helwan mental hospitals. Several schools, such as Saint Joseph, Ramses College, the Good Shepherd School and Le Frère, took part in the program by opening their doors to the students as well as organizing events on their campuses. Garas extended an open invitation to members of the press to pay visits to the NGO. "We have helped reinstate around 400 mentally challenged people released from mental hospitals back into their communities, he said. After he received his certificate, Eid Ashal expressed his happiness with the program. "I am happy because I love trips and songs and all of the beautiful things that I was able to do through this program, Ashal said.
