Kuwait journey of hope boat anchors in Aqaba port

 Kuwait's "Journey of Hope" boat, making a journey around the world to bring attention to the plight of people with mental disabilities, anchored Sunday in the Jordanian coastal city of Aqaba.
Upon arriving at Tala Bay Resort port in Aqaba, the crew and passengers of the boat were welcomed by Kuwaiti Ambassador to Jordan Dr. Hamad Al-Duaij, Kuwait's Military Attache Maj-Gen. Falah Al-Sunni, Dr. Kamel Mahadin, Chief Commissioner of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Sami Maaytah, Acting Governor of Aqaba, and Kuwaiti Embassy' officials and staff members.
"This is a beautiful opportunity to meet with a number of elite Kuwaitis who took upon themselves a significant responsibility in showcasing abilities and capabilities of those with special needs in general, and those with Down syndrome and Autism in particular," Ambassador Al-Duaij said during a ceremony he held in honor of the Journey's crew and passengers.
"This mission, which included most of the world countries, had been supported mainly by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah," added the Kuwaiti diplomat.
He also commended efforts exerted by First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as well as senior officials at the foreign ministry in facilitating measures and procedures for the Kuwaiti mission in a number of countries they visited, expressing his gratitude to organizers of the mission and wished them luck in attaining their goals and humanitarian message.
For his part, Yousef Al-Jassem, a Journey of Hope member, praised Jordan's hospitality and generosity toward the Kuwaiti mission, noting that the boat had gone 10,500 miles across the ocean, docking at 33 ports in 21 countries as they currently have 49 remaining days to return to Kuwait, which is expected on December 1st.
The idea of the worldwide journey was the brainchild of a number of Kuwaiti parents with children having mental disabilities including the Down syndrome and Autism. The parents wanted to bring awareness to the plight of these children and life's restrictions on them.
The boat, which sailed from Kuwait on May 1st this year, is supposed to make 37 ports of call in all during 210 days of sailing around the world.