The Inclusivity Icon

From its inception in 2005, Manzil is now spreading its wings further. “Manzil literally means destination, and ‘inclusion’ is where our actual destination is,” explains Dr Ayesha. Elaborating further, she adds, “Inclusion is that we focus on making people with disabilities independent and finding their rightful place in life.”

The non-profit organization has transformed reams of lives through their PRIDE program by developing knowledge and skills for students with mild to moderate intellectual challenges and then incorporating them into the workforce, thus helping them scale heights never thought possible. The program also won the Zero Project Award in 2020, as one of the ten best projects globally to be replicated and the team was invited to the UN headquarters in Vienna to present the same.

Besides the above, Dr Ayesha has also bagged the British Council’s Study UK Alumni Award Regional Winner for the Highest Social Impact in the MENA Region, 2018; Social Service Provider of the Year – Arabian Business Achievement Awards, 2016; and Multiple Princess Haya Awards for Special Education including Outstanding Director General, 2012.

Sharing the organization’s metamorphosis, Dr Ayesha reminisces how people didn’t understand the term ‘inclusion’ when they began. “People would ask me to define inclusion, and I had to explain it to them. This was before the law in the UAE towards inclusion came about. So, in essence, we’ve seen the landscape change, and we hope that we’ve been able to contribute in a positive way towards that change,” she proclaims. She goes on to inform that Manzil has worked in tandem with many departments of the government to help step up and bring about the change and is now looking at making a difference internationally.