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LITTLE Bashayer Abbass may not be able to focus on her surroundings but the four-year-old blind child's cherub face lights up every time she steps out in safety in a new garden enclosure.
The children of the Friendship Society for the Blind finally have a safe haven to play in thanks to The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa's community outreach programme and local charity champions, The Palm Association.
The chirping of the birds in a large cage also captivates Bashayer and her friends as their sensory powers are extended in the fresh air while they are watched over by teachers and assistants.
The society, located in Sanad, was established in 1981 as an association concerned with the welfare of the blind. It was created to help families caring for children with impaired vision to gather and discuss options available to help them with the challenges encountered in daily life.
The organisation also serves as an on-site school for children from the age of three. Every class has at least two qualified teachers dedicated to encourage and help the pupils develop.
School principal Ali Haji, says the recent work carried out around the garden has totally transformed the facility. He said: "Our children had to remain indoors as they could not make their way around in the 'supposed' garden area which was mainly a sandy mess. It was not safe for them at all and was really upsetting.
"Also, members of the society that met up during the week were confined to the conference room.
"When we were approached with the idea of the clean-up I was extremely happy. Now the children have a place to play and sit with their teachers and our adult members also have a new gathering spot. We are very thankful. We can now use this garden for so many things."
Bashayer is one of three children in her family to be born blind and her family is painfully aware of the challenges that lie ahead for her.
But little things like the sensory garden installed in the grounds of her school and the inspiration of an academically-gifted teenage sister may make all the difference in her future happiness and progress.
Bashayer's parents, dad Abbas Mahmood Hanthal, 40, and mum Nadhra Muhsin, 32, say the peaceful new garden allows the children to relax, listen to wildlife and recite poetry from the collection of Braille books at hand.
Mr Hanthal, who works at the Ministry of Interior, lives in Riffa, and is no stranger to the plight facing the visually-impaired as three of his daughters were born blind.
He is thankful to the support offered by the authorities in the kingdom and says his eldest daughter Al Hanouf, now 15, has excelled in the classroom and enjoys life to the full .... although it has not been an easy journey.
"Shortly after Mariam, now six, was born blind, followed by Bashayer. I was distraught. I was worried about my girls. How would they cope in school? What about their future? I just wanted them to have a good life," Mr Hanthal said.
"Thanks to Al Hanouf my worries have eased. She was the first blind girl in the kingdom to join a public school and mix well with the other kids. She is at the top of her class, writing and reading poetry, reading the Quran and she is also brilliant with computers. She is a joy to be around, very smart and skilled."
The proud father and her teachers are not the only ones impressed. His Majesty King Hamad has honoured her for her achievements and enjoyed listening to her recite poetry.
And, the Minister of Education Dr Majid Ali Al Nuaimi, also congratulated her on her accomplishments as she paved the way for other blind children to integrate into mainstream society.
Mr Hanthal added: "When I saw how well she was coping with school I started to feel relieved. In fact, now I don't feel that my daughters have a handicap at all.
"Al Hanouf has not only given hope to her family, she has given hope to all children facing similar challenges."
The family would like to say a special thank you to Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of Administrative Affairs in the Ministry of Interior, and the principal of the Saudi Bahraini Institute for the Blind, Adbul Wahed Al Khayat.
'Big Sis' Al Hanouf enjoys a challenge and is determined to help her siblings succeed. She said: "My blindness has not stopped me from having a thirst for knowledge."
As for little Bashayer, at the moment she is just happy that she has a loving family and a little garden haven to play in. The facility has shelters and is secure.
Amani Al Qalaf, 28, nursery supervisor, from Hamad Town, said: "Before the work it didn't feel like a garden at all or a place where the kids could enjoy. Now we take the children out often. It is safe. There is a path to get in and they can feel their way around. Seeing the smiles on their tiny faces makes all the difference."
The hotel in Seef got involved as part of its social and environmental responsibility programme, known as Community Footprints, in partnership with The Palm Association.
Mark Neukomm, the Ritz Carlton's general manager, and his colleagues, supplied lumber, tiles and paint to transform the messy ground into a tropical themed retreat for all to enjoy. He said: "The space was totally abandoned and messy. Now it looks clean and will definitely serve its purpose.
"While this may seem like a small act it should have a great impact on the children and adults who use it. It will give them a chance to sit in a comfortable environment that is shaded and with a clear path.
"And, the initiative has not only benefited the society but also our team. It was fun and we were able to challenge ourselves outside our regular routines.
"We built the fences and benches while our engineering department worked on the foundations and fixing up. Over a few days we managed to deliver something safe and beautiful. The children truly deserve it."
Veronica Niblett, the Palm Association's chairman, from Saar, said: "When the Ritz approached us about a community project we thought the society was perfect as we have had this project bubbling away with us for years but never had the manpower to help us with it.
"We brought them along, showed them what it was like, grabbed the bull by the horns and turned it around. Although the garden is now complete the team will continue maintaining it, making it a continual project all year round."
