In line with its values and principles as a leading Islamic bank, Acting Group CEO of Kuwait Finance House (KFH), Abdulwahab Iesa Al Rushood affirmed that the initiative to support and qualify talents of people with special needs is an ongoing strategy at KFH. The initiative also confirms the keenness to serve the community and articulates KFH’s vision of the importance of human capabilities in accomplishing development and supporting national efforts.

During a ceremony honoring the second batch of trainees with special needs in collaboration with Kuwait Society for the Handicapped (KSH), Al Rushood pointed out that KFH pays special attention to this segment of society and supports the efforts to engage them into the community, by qualifying them with the experience and skills required for any suitable form of work that highlights their role in society.

KFH Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Zeyad Al Omar attended the honoring ceremony along with officials from Kuwait Society for the Handicapped, in addition to several parents and people interested in the issues of handicapped people. During the ceremony, certificates were given to ten trainees with special needs who spent over 100 training hours in KFH different functions and departments.

Al Rushood added: “KFH’s success in attracting and training this segment of trainees for the second year in a row, while providing all facilities possible for obtaining a distinguished qualitative training that fits their abilities and takes account of their circumstances and privacy, is also part of the strategic partnership with KSH, the first of its kind at the banking sector level.”

Supporting people with special needs a priority at KFH

Al Rushood noted that the application of sustainability standards is at the heart of KFH's business, as a world-leading Islamic bank, stressing that KFH is moving forward in achieving financial inclusion, which is one of the sustainability elements, and integrating people with special needs in financial services and providing job opportunities that suit their abilities. He reiterated that people with special needs can benefit from KFH’s banking products and services without fees. In addition, KFH has allocated a special branch for this segment in each governorate with the appropriate parking and wheelchairs, as well as other appropriate means. Customers with special needs and their escorts can enjoy the full care and special treatment inside and outside the KFH branch according to their circumstances.

He added: “We collaborated with Kuwait Society for the Handicapped, which has noble goals and significant role in the society, to provide the support elements and coordination to train and qualify youngsters with special needs to achieve their ambitions and facilitate their involvement in the labor market, while adding value to national capabilities working in the private sector and different other sectors to achieve development goals and raising performance levels in all fields after having obtained the appropriate job training.”

Al Rushood said: “We were pleased with the impact we had witnessed on the trainees of great keenness to improve their skills and taking part in the practical and theoretical parts of the training in addition to cooperating with their colleagues during the training.” The training program included various departments in KFH such as banking branches, human resources, and banking cards etc. The training program enables KFH to introduce this training model to the banking sector with the aim of providing more training programs for people with special needs and helping them overcome difficulties. He pointed out that KFH is prepared to participate and cooperate in any programs or activities that serve people with special needs, expressing his pride that the human resources department at KFH has a number of employees with special needs of various disciplines.

Meanwhile, Director-General of Kuwait Society for the Handicapped Dr. Elham Al Hamdan, commended KFH’s initiatives and collaboration, saying that these contributions provide job opportunities that give handicapped people the mental, social, and material stability.

“Thanks to the support, encouragement, commitment, and dedication of KFH staff and Kuwait Society for the Handicapped, people with special needs completed more than 100 hours of vocational training alongside their non-disabled peers.” She added.

Al Hamdan pointed out that since this initiative coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (which falls on December 3), it is an opportunity to celebrate the joint efforts of all those who contributed to the integration of people with special needs into society. The idea of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is not only an occasion to celebrate, but also a day to remind others of this segment of society which needs special care, treatment, attention, and motivation, as we are one diverse community.  

She added: "We are very proud to cooperate with KFH as this is an investment in a shared future. Through the implementation of strategic partnerships that concern the rights of persons with special needs, countries will benefit from their contribution to the economy and development of their societies in which they live, train and work achieving social justice and independence in life."

Al Hamdan concluded: "We extend our sincere gratitude to KFH for training a group of our students in pursuit of the KSH's goals of providing care, education and innovative support that can enrich and achieve continuous positive change in the lives of the people we serve. It is also central to achieving the 2030 vision for Sustainable Development plan and Kuwait's 2035 Vision in ensuring that no one is left behind in pursuit of social justice.  KSH will continue its journey by the Grace of the Almighty, with KFH’s support, and with the determination and will of our youths."