Bank Sohar recently supported the Oman Association for the Disabled in Ibri as part of its contributions under Sohar Al Atta – the bank’s social development wing. The funds have been earmarked for the purchase of cerebral palsy wheel chairs and standard wheel chairs for members of the association. Bank Sohar’s good will gesture constitutes a key component of its larger community oriented goals outlining initiatives for building more capable, self-reliant societies and spurring development through expedient resource allocation.

Reiterating the bank’s commitment towards giving back to society, Ms. Munira Abdulnabi Macki, GM – HR and Corporate Support, Bank Sohar, said, “We are strongly committed to empowering communities and creating access to quality facilities in healthcare, education, economic development and social support systems for disadvantaged sections of society. Over the years, the bank has implemented a timely and comprehensive outreach programme that has reintegrated differently-abled individuals into the mainstream. Our support towards the activities of the Oman Association for the Disabled is an example of this longstanding commitment.”

Mr. Salim Awadh Al Ghafri, Supervisor of the Oman Association for the Disabled Ibri Branch, thanked Bank Sohar for its support saying, “We feel deep gratitude to have been receiving assistance from one of Oman’s most reputed financial institutions. The contributions from Bank Sohar and our other corporate partners have made a significant difference to the association and in enabling it to provide better quality care for its members. We have been fortunate to receive assistance from Bank Sohar for the 2nd consecutive year, which demonstrates the extent of their commitment to our goals for helping Oman’s differently-abled citizens lead successful, fulfilling lives.”

The donation cheque was handed over to Mr. Salim Awadh Al Ghafri, Supervisor of the Oman Association for the Disabled Ibri Branch, by Mr. Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, Sr. AGM - Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, Bank Sohar.

Last year Bank Sohar helped the association acquire cerebral palsy wheelchairs, sports wheelchairs and standard wheelchairs for its members. With these initiatives and similar endeavours, the bank has been an actively participating member of Oman’s social development goals, contributing towards the growth of opportunity and change for large sections of society.

Bank Sohar’s contribution forms part of its 2017 fourth quarter donations towards social development organizations that promote community empowerment. It joins several other initiatives under a comprehensive CSR strategy that provides crucial financial assistance to numerous social development associations across the country. They range from child care centers, associations devoted to disability causes and charity associations and much more. Over the years, Bank Sohar has supported over 30 organisations numerous times around the Sultanate under its social responsibility program striving to ensure that its contributions are carefully planned and evaluated in order to diversify and reach the maximum number of people - especially those in most need of it - offering recipients positive support and making meaningful change.

In recognition of its contributions, Bank Sohar has received numerous accolades for its CSR efforts locally, regionally, and internationally. The most recent of these awards was the ‘Golden Order of Merit in the field of CSR’ from the Arab Organization for Social Responsibility in UAE. This award is the fourth that the Bank has received from the Arab Organization for Social Responsibility for this category.

The Oman Association for the Disabled was established in Muscat in the year 1995 with the aim to serve disabled individuals and help them realise their potential. The association provides support mainly to the hearing-impaired and physically challenged individuals by providing them with the tools and the right equipment to that they can become productive members of society and lead lives that are not adversely impacted by their disability.

It works to ensure that they are accorded proper rights and encourages their participation in various extracurricular activities and social enrichment pursuits. Apart from this, it also focusses on skills and talent building among differently-abled individuals to maximise their potential.