Business & Money | Friday 1 January, 2016 5:28 am |

ALWALEED PHILANTHROPIES, chaired by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, sponsors The Right to Live Society (RLS), which has received the 2015 Stars Impact Award.

RLS provides healthcare and education services to children in the Gaza Strip diagnosed with Down Syndrome and autism. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, nearly 38,000 people affected by these conditions live in the strip.

A ceremony was held on Dec. 12 in Versailles, France during the Philanthropreneurship Forum 2015 whose theme was ‘New Frontiers of Philanthropy.’ Ahmed Al Helou, executive manager of RLS, attended the ceremony to receive the award on behalf of the organization.

“We stand speechless in front of all those who supported our activities and services financially and morally,” said Muna Wahbe, Stars Foundation CEO. Al Helou highlighted the importance of the event. He was enthusiastic about the new starting point for RLS in moving toward developing high quality services and attracting international partners. Al Helou also thanked the RLS staff for the great accomplishment.

This year’s Impact Award was granted to 24 organizations from different countries. The honor awards $50,000 in unrestricted funds and supports the winners in improving and developing their services.

Alwaleed Philanthropies sponsors the main Center of the Right to Live Society. The center offers rehabilitation services specialized in providing healthcare to the growing number of children diagnosed with Down Syndrome. sSome of the services are aimed at developing the capabilities and skills of those children and creating appropriate programs that encourage them to invest their time and energy in learning.  The center also provides educational, social, psychological and health services for the development of the local community in an effort to change the public perception of the disorder and to encourage the welcoming of the children as active members of society.

Alwaleed Philanthropies supports and initiates projects in 104 countries, regardless of the gender, race or religion. We collaborate with a range of philanthropic, government and educational organizations to combat poverty, empower women and youth, develop communities, provide disaster relief and create cultural understanding through education. Together, we can build bridges for a more compassionate and tolerant world.