Challenging handicap, Saudi helps 600 people find jobs

JEDDAH — A handicapped Saudi man has found employment for more than 600 fellow citizens in similar situations through an exclusive job portal he established a few years ago. The Wisata website launched by Ahmed Zayed Al-Malki, who lost both his legs in a car accident, has so far succeeded in finding jobs for more than 600 people, including women. King Khalid Charitable Foundation honored Al-Maliki during a ceremony, which saw the launch of his website’s apps for smart devices. He spearheaded another important project to develop handicap-friendly buildings, facilities and parks in the resort city of Taif. Al-Malki, 30, was born in a Taif village. He had a normal life until he met with an accident. As a child he used to accompany his father to the shop in the village. One day while he was sitting in front of the shop, a speeding car ran over him and he lost both his legs. The young Ahmed was depressed in the beginning but he slowly regained confidence through his determination and with support from others. Al-Malki didn't want to live like other handicapped people putting a burden on his family. The power of his heart, backed by a good education, a strong spirit and positive approach, emboldened him to overcome the challenges. Al-Malki completed his university education specializing in Arabic language and then started looking for a job. “Being a handicapped man I went through a lot of difficulties to get a suitable job, even after obtaining a bachelor degree and attending computer science courses. Finally I got a good job," he said. After that Al-Malki never looked back. He obtained two prosthetic legs and leads a stable family life. Al-Malki launched “Wisata” in 2011 to support handicapped people. By registering at his website, the handicapped can find jobs suitable to their academic qualification and physical condition. Wisata targets all people having mental, physical and intellectual handicaps and visual impairment and provide them with legal protection. Al-Malki has reached an agreement with lawyers to provide them with free services whenever they are exploited by employers. Al-Malki goes through job advertisements in newspapers and other media to recommend them to Wisata members. He also finds out whether companies offer good salaries, electric wheelchairs and other facilities to the handicapped. Ads are also published on the website free of charge. Al-Malki warns members about fake and suspicious companies and employers. He said the main problem facing the initiative is that most of the registered people have not received regular education due to mental, social and family reasons. “Some families do not allow the handicapped to get out of their homes, thinking it would give them a bad name. Most government schools are not ready to receive the handicapped,” Al-Malki told Al-Hayat Arabic daily. Moreover, some companies and employers follow fake Saudization in order to meet the conditions of the Labor and Social Development Ministry, he pointed out. Al-Malki has attended a number of training programs including a course to train trainers. He has formed a number of voluntary teams to provide various social services and want to conduct training programs for the handicapped.