A business network of women in Abu Dhabi’s Sowwah Square are working together to raise awareness for the capital’s children with special needs.
A working women’s network based in Sowwah Square will be banding together to raise awareness and funds to help children with special needs in the capital.
Abu Dhabi’s own business women’s group, the Central Business District Network of Women (CBD NOW) will be hosting the first community bake-off in Sowwah Square on November 19 to raise awareness for the Future Centre for Special Needs in Mohammed Bin Zayed City.
The bake-off will take place on Al Maryah Island’s Sowwah Square with special judges including the Rosewood Hotel’s resident executive pastry chef, Francois Leo, and Carluccio’s regional brand chef, Maurice Maffeo.
The judges will be required to select the best cakes (or cupcakes) and attendees will then be invited to sample the competitors’ goods during the event and enjoy some delicious coffee provided by Carluccio’s.
Tenants of Sowwah Square are being invited to participate in the competition by submitting a baked treat to be judged by the connoisseurs. Categories for prizes are; Overall Winner, Best Tasting, Best Presentation and Most Creative – with a special wooden spoon prize too.
The Future Centre for Special Needs will have a donations box at the bake-off event, and the women of CBD NOW are encouraging attendees to make a personal donation into The Future Centre for Special Needs donations box at the bake-sale. CBD NOW committee member and marketing manager at General Electric, Chloe Hartwell says, ‘It is wonderful to be able to bring people together in a fun and creative way for such a worthy cause. We feel the Sowwah Square community is an ideal forum to be able to raise awareness in this manner.’
CBD NOW is a collaborative network of working women in Abu Dhabi’s Sowwah Square that was launched earlier this year. Their mission is ‘the professional development and advancement of women in Sowwah Square through networking, exchanging ideas, sharing the best practices and fostering community engagement in Abu Dhabi.’
The network has a committee formed of representatives from companies including Clifford Chance LLP, General Electric, Gulf Capital and Mubadala GE Capital PJSC, and accommodates more than 150 members.
Women working in Sowwah Square can join the network. CBD NOW host quarterly events, such as keynote speakers and skill-based workshops as well as networking and community events.
Registration is required to enter the bake sale competition (free of charge), before November 14. The bake-off will run from 3pm until 6pm on November 19 on the 29th floor of the Al Sila Tower, Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island. Email info@cbdnow.org.
Future Centre for Special Needs
The Future Centre for Special Needs is dedicated to empowering those with special needs. It has been operational since September 2000 and now has 194 multinational students enrolled for the 2013-14 academic year between three and 20 years old. It is a non-profit organisation that is partly funded by donations and community assistance. The centre provides education and therapy to students with various disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and motor disorders. Students come from various nationalities, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. The centre’s mission statement is ‘To equip individuals with disabilities with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to realise their full potential, in a safe, secure and stimulating environment, in order for them to lead fulfilling lives.’ (02 553 5306).
