The Hope Qatar Centre for Persons with Disabilities marked its 20th anniversary by hosting its Annual Science Exhibition 2026 in Doha, spotlighting the talents and potential of children with disabilities. The event, held under the theme "Science & Technology," featured vibrant displays of student projects and fostered a sense of celebration and inclusion among participants, families, and attendees.
Founded two decades ago by Dr. Rajeev Mathew Thomas, the centre was inspired by his personal experience with his elder son Stephen, who has Down syndrome. Upon moving to Qatar and finding limited resources for his son, Dr. Thomas established Hope Qatar to provide much-needed support. What began as a centre assisting one child has since grown into a recognized institution serving 120 children from 19 nationalities, staffed by 38 professionals from 12 countries.
The centre offers a comprehensive approach to development, combining academic instruction with various therapies, including speech, occupational, behavioral, as well as newer programs such as sports therapy and dance movement. Emphasizing that the institution operates not for profit but with a personal commitment, Dr. Thomas said the centre delivers the same quality of care and education he would want for his own son.
During the exhibition, students confidently presented projects that ranged from renewable energy models to interactive scientific experiments. Senior students, including Sadeem Tarek Ahmed and Mohammed Jamisah Zerkhan, demonstrated a solar energy project featuring a water pump and battery system that they had developed over several weeks. Both students expressed clear aspirations for their futures, with Sadeem aiming for a career in business or engineering, and Mohammed initially interested in becoming a pilot.
Dr. Thomas highlighted the significance of these ambitions, underscoring the centre’s mission to “celebrate abilities, not limitations.” He stressed the importance of providing children with disabilities equal opportunities to showcase their talents, noting that societal attitudes are gradually shifting but there remains work to be done.
Over the past 20 years, Hope Qatar has also engaged in wide-reaching community awareness initiatives involving motivational speakers, artists with disabilities, and inclusive workshops in collaboration with institutions such as the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar. Dr. Thomas pointed to increased governmental and societal awareness, referencing Qatar’s national framework for supporting persons with disabilities under the Qatar National Vision 2030 plan and recent legislation.
One of the centre’s newer programs, the “Hope Sadhiki Programme,” is designed to foster friendships between children with disabilities and those from the wider community. This effort stems from Dr. Thomas’s own experience with his son Stephen, who often faced social exclusion. The program encourages peer connections to promote inclusivity beyond the centre’s walls.
The exhibition and ongoing initiatives reflect a broader commitment to acceptance, empowerment, and opportunity for children with disabilities. “The future is going to be beautiful,” Dr. Thomas remarked. “If society gives these children a chance, they will shine.”