“Fatima”… “a determined woman” challenges her disability with the “camera” and volunteering

“Volunteer photography tasks” is the field that the citizen, Fatima Sabeel, chose as a way to employ her energy in serving the community, and to challenge the hearing disability and loss of speech that befell her at an early age, after she contracted an illness that led to her high temperature.

The organizers of volunteer events have always invited Sabeel, who is keen to be among the first to attend, as she wanders among the audience and communicates with them to take the best photos, and then hands them over to the organizer.

Sabeel told Emirates Today, via the WhatsApp application, that “after she completed high school in one of the schools designated for people of determination (people with disabilities) more than eight years ago, she enrolled in several courses at institutes specializing in the field of photography. Then she worked in the quality department of one of the government agencies, and showed remarkable excellence according to the evaluation of her officials at work.”

She added: “After I developed my photography skills, I decided to employ them in the field of volunteer work, so I joined the social volunteer program (Takatuf), which allowed me to participate in photographing several community and official events, which made me feel extremely happy that I was participating in work that helps others, and strengthened my belonging within me.” To society, I proved that I am capable of serving the nation, and my success was enhanced when I won 10 awards in photography.”

She stated that her participation in volunteer work makes her feel responsible and extremely happy because she is accomplishing work that puts a smile on the faces of others and strengthens her sense of belonging to her surroundings.

Sabeel, who works as a photographer for the Al-Fanar News website, added that “photojournalism provided her with the opportunity for free field work in which she meets different groups of society and communicates with them in the language of the camera and the image, in addition to allowing her to form friendships and social relationships that made her… “It challenges her disability and makes her feel like a creative and giving individual.”

She said: “My work on a news site gave me self-confidence and gave me the skill of free creative photography. Since childhood, I have preferred to rely on myself, and I do not like to be a burden on society, which made me insist on entering the labor market to prove myself and my job capabilities, and to contribute to the renaissance of my country. Like any citizen living in this country,” she explained, “and those around her, whether family, friends, or colleagues, encourage her to continue achieving her ambitions.”

In addition to the skill of photography, Sabeel combines several handicrafts, including knitting, especially crochet, and is proficient in drawing on pottery incense burners and making various shapes of hair ties.