The "We Are All With You in Mecca" initiative: Empowering people with disabilities through 6 pathways

In a significant step reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all segments of society, the Ministry of Education launched the "We Are All With You" initiative today in the Holy City of Mecca, in strategic partnership with the Royal Commission for Mecca and the Holy Sites. The launch was attended by a number of prominent figures, including the Assistant Minister of Education for Private Education and Investment, Iyad Al-Qaraawi; the Mayor of Mecca, Musaed Al-Dawood; and the CEO of the Royal Commission for Mecca and the Holy Sites, Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Rasheed.

Context of the initiative and Vision 2030

This initiative comes within the context of major national transformations led by the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically within the "Human Capability Development" and "Quality of Life" programs. The Kingdom seeks to shift services provided to people with disabilities from traditional care to comprehensive empowerment, ensuring their independence and integration as active participants in national development. Makkah, with its sanctity and status, represents a leading humanitarian model in implementing these standards, as the initiative aims to create an inclusive educational and social environment that leaves no one behind.

The goals of "We Are All With You" and its six tracks

The "We Are All With You" initiative primarily aims to provide comprehensive support to students with disabilities, extending beyond academics to include rehabilitation, health, and social aspects. The initiative was launched through six integrated tracks encompassing twenty high-quality opportunities, which are:

• Educational path: To develop school environments and curricula.
• The health pathway: to provide the necessary medical and rehabilitative care.
• The technical track: to employ technology in facilitating the lives of students.
• Career path: To prepare students for the job market.
• Community path: To promote inclusion and acceptance of others.
• The sports track: to develop physical talents and promote general health.

Strategic partnerships and sustainable impact

The Director General of Education in the Makkah Region, Abdullah bin Saad Al-Ghannam, affirmed that the initiative fulfills students' rights to equitable empowerment, noting that the work was based on a realistic study of students' actual needs in cooperation with the Royal Commission. For his part, Engineer Saleh Al-Rashid praised the level of integration between sectors, commending the role played by the Sanad City for Special Education as a key contributor to the success of these efforts.

Launch of the "Humanitarian Rituals" Fund

On the sidelines of the event, the launch of the "Nusuk Humanitarian Fund" and the inauguration of the initiative's digital platform were announced. This will enhance the sustainability of the projects and ensure that support reaches those who need it most efficiently. This initiative is expected to bring about a qualitative leap in the level of services provided to people with disabilities in the Makkah region, serving as a model for other regions of the Kingdom.