tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post6107636176934035481..comments2024-03-27T11:21:40.742+04:00Comments on Muscat Confidential: Ministry of Manpower idiots arrest volunteers at schools for disabled childrenUndercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-58994492937972334022012-04-13T04:29:23.310+04:002012-04-13T04:29:23.310+04:00Its quite sadenning to know that such an incident ...Its quite sadenning to know that such an incident has taken place. I was planning on visiting the Orphanage at Khuwair next week and I have been trying to get in touch with the Autism center at Athaiba so that I could do something worthwhile by volunteering for them. However I am a bit apprehensive now. Although I am disappointed with what happened, I cant take sides here. My point is ppl who want to do some good work shudnt be stopped from doing so whereas I also believe that these kids shouldnt be exposed to someone without doing a proper background check. So m on d neutral tides here i guess!!<br />But the things that annoys me the most is that NO information whatsoever is published on the internet regarding the procedures involved in being able to volunteer. I have been looking out for places where I can contribute my bit to the society for many weeks now and have hardly got any substantial info on it. This to me is d reason for such incidents.<br /><br />PS - I am yet to read a blog or the comments thereafter without the usual 'Local vs Expat bashin'. These issues are more important than diversifying ourselves based on the color of our skins.depechehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05436415717682339097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-42546387317566843192012-04-13T04:10:39.251+04:002012-04-13T04:10:39.251+04:00I dont know whats the truth here and reading this ...I dont know whats the truth here and reading this post has made me apprehensive of d fact that I could be arrested for trying to do something noble. The main problem i sense here is a lack of clear and concise comunication. On one hand, the arrests were not justified. Whereas it also is a matter of concern if anyone is verifying whether the people volunteering are capable enough to perform what they hav set out to do. Physical assault on any child is unacceptable. But honestly how many of us have not got a good thrashing from our parents in our childhood. Hardly anyone!! So just by singling out one incident and viewing it from an external point of view, will not help us know about the reality at the groud level. The main point that should be addressed here is how to make more people aware about the rules n regulations involved in volunteering. <br /><br />PS - I am yet to read a post where the 'Local vs Expat' bashing isnt there even in d smallest of degrees. All ye educated people, Grow up!!depechehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05436415717682339097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-71036814614072877512011-01-14T13:38:17.273+04:002011-01-14T13:38:17.273+04:00Being a volunteer myself in a centre for children ...Being a volunteer myself in a centre for children with special needs in Oman, I was surprised to read the article. Actions like this should be condemned fiercely, but talking about ‘idiots’ and ‘morons’ doesn’t serve the cause.<br />Strong protests by the centre and volunteers to the ministers involved are the first step to take, beside clarification by the embassies.<br />I work with children with special needs in Oman for 4 years now and I did the same kind of work here 23 years ago, and as a professional in this field I can say that immense steps have been taken and I do see improvements yearly. At the same time there are many steps still to be made, having professional and well-paid staff being one of them.<br />I met a lot of families of these children and I can generally say that most of them are loving and caring. In Europe it took at least 100 years to establish a well developed system for people with special needs, Oman is only 40 years on its way.<br />MaraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-27184969089408595902011-01-08T09:27:26.729+04:002011-01-08T09:27:26.729+04:00A volunteer/teacher cannot be violent with any of ...A volunteer/teacher cannot be violent with any of the kids, irrespective of his/her(teacher's) nationality. <br /><br />Volunteers always have good intention. Why will you do something for which you are not paid? That means they love their job. <br />Do people know that volunteering is not allowed? Every nation's rule must be respected. But that can be done only when the volunteers know about that rule. I feel this is a communciation problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-47396348992178276312010-12-31T17:13:58.339+04:002010-12-31T17:13:58.339+04:00Bottom line is, you can't be violent with any ...Bottom line is, you can't be violent with any kids, let alone children with mental disabilities like autism. You just can't. <br /><br />And I believe volunteers who are harming the kids should be stopped from working at such places.<br /><br />HOWEVER, I don't agree with the Ministry's actions or for the matter any of the "hush-hush let's arrest 1000 people overnight kind of mentality that the government is fond of". The government should be providing full-time (and fully paid) qualified specialists to work at these centres. At the moment, Bahwan sponsors most of them and other local charities. The centres in Salalah get almost no funding because they have no wasta. The government should (and can) do more for people with special abilities and needs.Nadiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07216581844756113684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-60209034075642299872010-12-31T13:32:37.546+04:002010-12-31T13:32:37.546+04:00Any update?Any update?Saddenednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-22962782525206642162010-12-28T18:47:47.257+04:002010-12-28T18:47:47.257+04:00Blewyn - physical contact for many autistic spectr...Blewyn - physical contact for many autistic spectrum people is very mentally (and therefore physically) uncomfortable and masochism is not an autistic spectrum traitThats What I Saidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12799337685584108553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-53758351076144837312010-12-28T16:04:57.296+04:002010-12-28T16:04:57.296+04:00Wow, I was wondering why some friends of mine were...Wow, I was wondering why some friends of mine were so fearful to participate in a project that I started while living in Oman...now I see why. Volunteers get arrested.<br /><br />I don't know if these volunteers were really registered the proper way or not. I DO know that there was one center I almost volunteered with that would have let me volunteer without any background check and this made me question their validity and caused me to not volunteer. So, I know that 2 years ago it did happen that anyone could volunteer at some of these special needs schools. Whether it is like that today or not I am unable to substantiate.<br /><br />Arresting people who volunteer and confiscating passports is NOT legal though. That I know for certain.Hearts and Hands for Nepalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08933372121103152000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-31895545148160303142010-12-26T21:27:19.467+04:002010-12-26T21:27:19.467+04:00Hi Blewyn
Autism is a complex condition and treat...Hi Blewyn<br /><br />Autism is a complex condition and treatment is individual. Many autistic children would find physical contact threatening or overwhelming. Maintaining eye contact is more important.Helpernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-46821686878289066832010-12-26T18:50:58.469+04:002010-12-26T18:50:58.469+04:00Blewyn - I hope not too many people read what you ...Blewyn - I hope not too many people read what you read re children with autism liking to be handled roughly.Droopydrawersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-17770055541406767862010-12-25T10:51:29.199+04:002010-12-25T10:51:29.199+04:00Nadia, I'm pretty sure I have read somewhere ...Nadia, I'm pretty sure I have read somewhere that kids with autism LIKE to be handled roughly ?Blewynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18436858190541109045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-45673852676189710952010-12-25T02:00:21.451+04:002010-12-25T02:00:21.451+04:00Hi folks, please visit:
http://middleeast-analysi...Hi folks, please visit:<br /><br />http://middleeast-analysis.blogspot.com/<br /><br />The first post is dedicated to India's relations with Oman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-83862136865396414102010-12-24T15:44:35.337+04:002010-12-24T15:44:35.337+04:00I think the main point to be made here is that, if...I think the main point to be made here is that, if a centre is not satisfactory, the Ministry should close it through the accepted procedures. <br /><br />Arresting volunteers is never acceptable.Troublednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-70740214683547659772010-12-23T22:57:59.159+04:002010-12-23T22:57:59.159+04:00OMR
Read the article before you make nasty commen...OMR<br /><br />Read the article before you make nasty comments - the volunteers were registered.ZeZenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-21068158214408304842010-12-23T21:20:01.939+04:002010-12-23T21:20:01.939+04:00I knew from the start that it was kawthar's sc...I knew from the start that it was kawthar's school. If only people knew more about that center.Now i really support what the ministry people did.The gorverment is going to shut that good for nothing fake center soon.OMRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-9684121892190236622010-12-23T20:42:42.507+04:002010-12-23T20:42:42.507+04:00And so many comments from people who think they so...And so many comments from people who think they so much about the life of special needs children Oman. <br /><br />And as the mother of a special needs child in Oman - jeez thanks for telling me how it is. I would never have known otherwise. My god you are all such experts.droopydrawersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-20876771444982126252010-12-23T20:37:39.718+04:002010-12-23T20:37:39.718+04:00anonymous said...
I was there. One of the staff f...anonymous said... <br />I was there. One of the staff for ministry of manpower pushed an autistic child against the reception table. <br /><br /><br />If you're referring to the centre I think you are - then thank god this has happened and hopefully it will be the first step in getting the place closed down.Sharifanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-81009169467104560232010-12-23T15:43:38.926+04:002010-12-23T15:43:38.926+04:00We all know what process you have to go through in...We all know what process you have to go through in the west if you want to work with kids,paid or not paid.The ministry was just doing its job.<br />I dont see why everyone is attacking Nadia because what she is saying is true.The blame is with the center who didnt register the people,would any of you let someone work in your house without doing any back ground check or knowing who her agent is? Would you take someone from the street to look after your kids? Its a big NO, so why should it be any different with these centers? I bet all this noise is because they were western expats.OMRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-36134234650602453822010-12-23T14:57:56.942+04:002010-12-23T14:57:56.942+04:00That is BULL... there is no safe haven for childre...That is BULL... there is no safe haven for children that have been sexually, emotionally or physically abused in Oman. I know! I have worked with these children in Omani schools. <br /><br />School is the place where they feel safe. I have had children cry that they do not want to come home. <br /><br />I had a child that failed a test and came back to school the next day with belt marks all over his body and a black eye.. and the school (muscat private)) said they couldnt do anything because there was no law in Oman to protect children from child abuse.LILLY JANEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-80955763369052552952010-12-23T10:52:26.556+04:002010-12-23T10:52:26.556+04:00Cart before horse - the birth of a child doesn'...Cart before horse - the birth of a child doesn't have to be registered in Oman.<br /><br />www.yapi.org/stateless/<br /><br />I wonder what happens to these children (especially if they are orphans with no family name) when they reach adulthood?ZeZenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-6489203381161867462010-12-23T04:43:13.057+04:002010-12-23T04:43:13.057+04:00Postscript:
I'm not making this up. Just 3 da...Postscript:<br /><br />I'm not making this up. Just 3 days after the above edu-fascist incident, Oman LLC is pumping out the bullshit below about how fantastic they are by making yet another law that won't be properly enforced:<br /><br />Khaleej Tims:<br />"Oman child law to be promulgated soon<br /><br />23 December 2010 MUSCAT — Oman has made considerable headway in protecting rights of children, a senior official said, also revealing that a ‘Child Law’ would be promulgated soon.<br />Dr Yahya al Ma’awali, Under-secretary at the Social Development Ministry, said efforts were under way to reinforce children’s rights in the areas of education, health and social care. <br /><br />He noted that 99 per cent of the country’s children were now covered by the general or basic education system and school curricula had been prepared to ensure that children were fully aware of their rights. Ma’awali was speaking at the Fourth Arab Child Rights Conference that concluded in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Tuesday. He said a Child Law was now being given the final shape in Oman and would be issued shortly. He also said the sultanate’s health care system encompassed nearly 100 per cent of mothers and children.<br /><br />Specialised teams had been formed to follow-up cases of abused children, while a hot line had been set up to guide families in all matters related to child care, he added. Ma’awali said Oman encouraged all community child welfare efforts, especially rehabilitation programmes."<br /><br /><br />Oh yes, its all just dandy in Oman for special needs kids... You've just gotta laugh.Undercover Dragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-87827635508457715162010-12-23T00:13:45.023+04:002010-12-23T00:13:45.023+04:00This is so sad - it's only been in the last fe...This is so sad - it's only been in the last few years that the 'orphans' have had a place to call their own albeit not a great one. Nadia - go and check the care in these places. I think your eyes will open wide.<br /><br />It's also only recently that I've begun to see disabled people out and about because families normally hide them away.<br /><br />The great shame in all this is that the authorities should be spending oil money in setting up professionally staffed places to allow these children to reach their full potential. Instead, the centres are charities and are dependent on voluntary contributions.<br /><br />The MOM should be disbanded and staffed with trained personnel. The raids have targeted the poor and defenceless and have ignored the immorality of the sponsors in selling visas to third world nationals. Most of these sponsors have wasta, are ROP and (I suspect) MOM employees. <br /><br />Disgraceful for a country that prides itself as being hospitality.ZeZenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-43214953386369592772010-12-22T22:42:42.329+04:002010-12-22T22:42:42.329+04:00that was such an idiotic thing to do.
Oh my poo...that was such an idiotic thing to do. <br /><br /><br />Oh my poor children!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-88405232736185338632010-12-22T22:11:44.951+04:002010-12-22T22:11:44.951+04:00There is supposed to be a checking process at leas...There is supposed to be a checking process at least for documentation.<br /><br />The persons CV and certificates go to the ministry for pre-approval. After the pre-approval they must go to their embassy to get the documents stamped and attested. <br /><br />If a teacher beats or abuses a child, the school can ask for a banning order, which will ban the teacher from ever teaching in Oman.Fatimanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-53690068754068139072010-12-22T19:22:49.460+04:002010-12-22T19:22:49.460+04:00I'm not defending the implication of the "...I'm not defending the implication of the "Both Expats" comment from Nadia, which I think was unhelpful and plain wrong (so expats have the monopoly on mistreating kids or lying about qualifications huh? I think not).<br /><br />Underlying her comment, though is a very important point, which implies that there isn't a checking/vetting process for those looking after children, as there would be in most countries. It's not apparent from the quoted post if this is happening here. I hope it is, for expat or Omani, volunteer or paid staff.Mike who doesnt have an accountnoreply@blogger.com