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“My strongly held belief is that

everyone, regardless of race, gender,

nationality, and ability has the
absolute right to be treated with

dignity and respect.”

Through Mawaheb, Wemmy wanted to bring awareness
about people of determination. The more we get in touch with
these beautiful people, she says, the more we can learn to
accept and celebrate the diversity of humanity. Mawaheb was
the first cafe in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to employ
people of determination, and she was inspired to open her
own after visiting a couple of similar places back in the Neth-
erlands. She fondly recalls Het Volkshuis, a cafe in Zutphen,
which was founded in 1898 to combat alcohol abuse and still
stands today as a place where visitors can be served by people
of determination. Wherever she goes in the world, she finds
a place that employs these individuals. “It always brings a smile
to my face”, she notes, “especially as the world shifts to become
a more accommodating place for all people with all capabili-
ties.” However, inclusivity is not only about hiring people of Zaid serves coffee at the cafe
determination and including them in mainstream schools.
Some of these individuals might prefer to work in a more
sheltered workplace and be around their peers instead of in-
teracting with the external world. Thus, social and communi-
ty inclusion is integral as well. This is a big part of the work selves in their own unique way and every piece represents a
needed to continue driving awareness and education about feeling or cherished memory that helps them connect with
people of determination for the upcoming generation. While the world around them. Wemmy believes that art is a common
Wemmy notices that there have been more initiatives for language for people, just like music and theatre. While some
people of determination in the UAE, she understands that it’s of us may communicate by speaking and writing, others
only the beginning: “The term ‘people of determination’ is navigate life through art. It’s also a vehicle that helps people
more powerful and positive, but we are only using this term process emotions. Often times in the determined communi-
in the UAE. We still have to use ‘people with a disability’ or ty, it’s the peripheral people or caregivers who tell individ-
‘people with special needs’ for others.” uals what they should say or do – or in some cases, what they
Over the years, the studio has made a name for itself as shouldn’t say or shouldn’t do. But with the right encourage-
an essential part of Dubai’s art scene. People of determination ment and support, these individuals have a chance to show-
are often very creatively talented but lack a safe and nurtur- case their gift to the external world through artistic expres-
ing environment for artistic expression. At Mawaheb, all sion and be recognized for their creativity and imagination,
Faran greets visitors with a smile and not their differences.
artwork is created by students who choose to express them-

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