A five-year-old girl suffering from autism and Down Syndrome, whose father is too poor to educate her, is to get help. Pakistani Mohammed Rafeeq had been searching for specialised centres to admit his daughter Iman, but could not afford the fees.

Mr Rafeeq, who earns BD150 as a welder, said he was desperate after two centres demanded BD200 for admission and registration fees, with more costs to follow.

The father-of-three contacted the GDN for help and now the Sneha centre for children with special needs has agreed to take Iman.

The centre is run by volunteers from the Indian Ladies Association (ILA), and cares for special needs children of all nationalities, without charge.

"We take children of different nationalities with autism, Down Syndrome, mentally challenged or disabilities," said centre co-ordinator Supriya Sundaraman.

"We teach them the basic needs of how to fit in society and prepare them for future challenges."

Sneha is the only centre of its kind available for specially challenged expatriate children in Bahrain and is run at the ILA's headquarters in Old Palace Road, Hoora.

It is open from 9am to 11am for children of all nationalities.

Mr Rafeeq said he always dreamed his only daughter could be like other normal children, which was not possible.

He said he was happy now that she would be learning the basic needs at Sneha centre.

Mr Rafeeq's family also includes wife Sanjida Khatoon and his two sons Bilal, 14, and Jibran, two.

He said Iman's condition was deteriorating because of her unusual behaviour and it was taking its toll on the family.

"She's on medication everyday and when she drinks she gets tired, so instead of taking four ounces of medicine like most of the patients, she can only manage to take two ounces at the most," said the father.

"It is putting a lot of stress on us and my wife is not sleeping because she has to attend to her all day."

Iman also has slight defects in her hip and eyes.

Doctors say they can do nothing for her eyes but she could eventually have surgery on her hip.

"However, she is too young for the operation, so they suggested to wait for some more years," said her father.

Mr Rafeeq said at times his daughter doesn't understand what to do.

"Sometimes, she stands in the sun for several hours without eating, drinking or caring about the heat," he said.

"She doesn't feel hot or cold at times, which the doctor said was a normal thing in such cases.

"We take her to the Salmaniya Medical Complex every three months for regular check-up on her brain activity.

"Doctors say her brain is small and not growing with her age and they have given up on her case now.

"They said she wouldn't be able to speak again, which really hurts me.

"My wife takes Iman to various herbal medicine shops, but all in vain.

"As she has talking problem, children make fun of her when we take her out to parks, restaurant, shopping malls or any other place.

"She has no friends and is lonely most of the times, since no one wants to play with her.

"I work day and night to earn money for her operation and some times do overtime, which is not enough.

"All the centres in Bahrain are charging a high amount of fees, which I am unable to pay.

Officials at the Social Development Ministry, which runs a chain of family counselling and guidance offices, told the GDN that it was not responsible and that there were centres in Bahrain dealing with the autistic and Down Syndrome children.

People wishing to make a donation for Iman can call Mr Rafeeq on 39209766 or 36344427.

aneeqa@gdn.com.bh