Empowering Lives in Khenifra
In the city of Khenifra, where simplicity of life meets the strength of solidarity, Majda Al-Hakawi has dedicated her professional and humanitarian journey to advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities and supporting their families. Her dedication is fueled by a deep belief in the potential of this community to fully integrate into society. Al-Hakawi, who obtained her degree in psychology from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in Rabat, embarked on her social work journey with a firm conviction that special needs should never be an obstacle to inclusion and success.
Her initial professional experience was in Settat, where she worked as a specialized educator at a center for the disabled. This opportunity marked a significant turning point in her life, as her daily interactions with children with disabilities and their families ignited a dream within her to create a similar facility in Khenifra to serve this demographic. In 2014, she founded the "Dar Al-Aman for Disability and Preschool Education" Association, followed by the establishment of a psychosocial educational center for integrating and rehabilitating individuals with disabilities in 2017. This social care institution focuses on enhancing the educational conditions for people with disabilities, offering a range of educational and rehabilitative services that include psychological follow-ups, semi-medical care, and occupational therapy.
Collaboration and Community Support
Through her unwavering commitment, Al-Hakawi, who hails from Khenifra, has successfully established a partnership with the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family, as well as the National Cooperation Foundation since 2018. This collaboration, supported by the Social Protection and Social Cohesion Fund, has allowed for an expansion of activities and services aimed at individuals with disabilities. During an interview with the Moroccan News Agency on International Women's Day, she emphasized the importance of supporting families with children who have disabilities, highlighting that her association organizes awareness and guidance sessions to help alleviate psychological pressures and foster a positive outlook towards their children, while proposing practical solutions to overcome various integration challenges.
Additionally, Al-Hakawi oversees a center dedicated to the rehabilitation and integration of individuals with disabilities, which was established under the National Human Development Initiative. This center provides various services to young people, particularly in vocational training, currently accommodating 97 beneficiaries and offering diverse social services, including the distribution of wheelchairs and assistive devices. Her work is grounded in a multidisciplinary approach, backed by a specialized team that continually benefits from training sessions led by her as a clinical psychologist. This aims to develop educational and rehabilitation programs that contribute to the social, behavioral, and cognitive development of children with disabilities.
Moreover, Al-Hakawi is committed to leading awareness campaigns to promote community consciousness regarding disability issues, particularly autism spectrum disorders, while focusing on preventive programs and collaborating with various stakeholders to facilitate the integration of children into public educational institutions. After more than 12 years of experience in the social field, Majda Al-Hakawi continues her journey with great passion, striving to balance her role as a mother within her family and her humanitarian responsibility towards children with disabilities.
Today, this dedicated activist dreams of establishing a modern integrated center for children with disabilities, ensuring the continuity of efforts and enhancing the independence and participation of this group in public life. Through her determination and ongoing work, Majda Al-Hakawi is crafting an inspiring human story, transforming Khenifra into a beacon of hope and solidarity, turning individual initiatives into genuine bridges towards inclusion and the preservation of dignity.
As reported by madar21.com.
