JEDDAH, 28 March 2007 — Parents looking to develop their children and raise their self-esteem can try the Self Development Center (SDC), which was founded and is being run by Hala Hashmi, who offers parents consultation on how to deal with children and holds workshops for children to develop talent and self esteem.
“Parents are the basic soil that affects the growth of children. If they are strong, have high self-esteem and know what they want, then the children will also develop the same qualities,” said Hashmi.
“Children come to me for a couple of hours and go home. They spend most of their time with their parents and pick up their manners and ways of thinking. So we work on parents first and make sure they’re ‘good soil’ to bring up their children,” said Hashmi, while epitomizing the work that the SDC carries out.
Before she started the SDC, Hashmi underwent an occupational abilities test that showed she had the caliber to be a businesswoman. She holds a bachelor degree in chemistry, a master’s degree in psychological engineering and also qualifications in psychotherapy. She is also working on a PhD through distance learning course run by the American University in London. She has previously held many jobs including as a teacher, which she says was not for her.
Her idea to set up the SDC began two years ago. She enrolled on a one-month course in Jeddah on how to start small businesses that was run by the Dubai-based Ta’aheel Habilitation Company, who held the course under the supervision of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Her final project was ranked the best and qualified for a sponsor to finance it into becoming a real business.
It was then that Hashmi embarked on a journey to see her project become a reality. She traveled to other countries to see how similar centers were operating and found that in Canada, children at kindergarten schools were trained in self-esteem and nurtured to enjoy reading.
Speaking about her previous ambitions to become a children’s trainer, Hashmi said, “I was very interested in designing training programs for children, but couldn’t find a way to do this in any of the jobs I had previously worked.”
As a youngster, she participated in different summer camps and worked as a volunteer in training children for different activities since high school. She continued those activities while at university and until she turned 27.
It was then that she thought of turning her interests into a business.
Having been given an opportunity to set up the SDC, Hashmi started laying the foundation of her project. She also undertook a course in Bahrain on how to be a trainer.
In her programs at the SDC, she starts with building the self-esteem of mothers in the early sessions. Then she works on teaching them the basics of raising their children. Hashmi deals with children in workshops, in which she familiarizes herself with their abilities.
Children are divided into teams according to their ages. Before each program, Hashmi ensures that children who are coming for the first time are introduced to the rest of the group. She gives them group activities that allows them to acquaint themselves with each other and makes them feel comfortable.
“The games differ according to different age groups. For example, some children bring pictures, so I ask them why they feel happy here or why they feel upset participating in the activities. This is to teach them how to express themselves and understand why they behave as they do,” she said.
Helping Hashmi coordinate programs is an entire team of young women — students or young graduates.
At the end of the programs, the children are handed photographs taken during the activities and performance reports to inform parents of their children’s talents to help them develop further.
Last summer, Hashmi ran a program called “How to Express My Feelings,” which will run again this summer. For two years, the program has been held at Chuckey Cheese, Andalusia Café and Abkarino Talents Club at the Jariri Mall.
Among other activities being held is an eight-session children’s reading program set to start today. The sessions will be held every Wednesday and Thursday at Andalusia Café. The program is open for children between 10-12 and 13-16.
“In our schools, we are taught how to read, memorize and recall information for exams,” she said. However, the reading program will concentrate on the art of dialogue, reading out aloud and listening.
“I care that children express what they read and the ideas they pick up and share them with others. They must respect the different views of other children. This is to make it more fun for them and make reading a fun experience for them, rather than something associated with boredom,” she said.
Children are also given an opportunity to read about talented Arabs such Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khawarizmi, who invented algebra. This is being done with an aim of providing children with role models.
Hashmi has written two books, which are available at Al-Obaikan and Tihama bookstores.
One is on teaching children about decision-making and the other is about teaching children how to organize their thoughts, become organized and good-planners. The books also include exercises and workshops.
For further details about the activities that the SDC carries out contact: 0569513563 or e-mail www.sdc4t.com.
