Greenline Interiors - Al Noor Training Centre for Children with ...

Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saeed Bin Thani Bin Juma Al Maktoum
inaugurates first retail store run by people with special needs
Greeenline Interiors and Al Noor School partner to launch retail store “Smiles n’ Stuff”
May 26, 2010
“Smiles n‟ Stuff” officially opened its doors for the public on May 26, 2010. The launch event saw over 300
supporters and attendees with a special appearance from HH Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saeed Bin Thani Bin
Juma Al Maktoum who officially opened the store in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
In the interest of giving back to the UAE community, Greenline Interiors approached Al Noor Training Centre
with an initiative to support people with special needs that go beyond their training and education. In response
to this interest Al Noor partnered with Greenline to launch the first retail store run by people with special needs
called “Smiles n‟ Stuff”. Greenline Interiors which is recognized for delivering high quality interior design, has
conceptualized, designed and outfitted “Smiles n‟ Stuff”. Located within Al Noor‟s own premises, this initiative
is considered the first stepping stone in what is aimed to become a retail chain that will expand the job
opportunities available for people with special needs.
“Smiles n‟ Stuff” is one of the Centres initiatives to create awareness and raise funds to help people with
special needs lead more independent lives. Greenline‟s drive to take part in this community initiative was to
support Al Noor in achieving this. By designing a friendly welcoming retail atmosphere, this space offers the
first platform for Al Noor‟s students to slowly acquire the skills needed to properly manage and run a retail
store and to deliver efficient customer service allowing them to further integrate in their surrounding society.
Director of Al Noor Training Centre Isphana Al Khatib, talking on behalf of the centre says “This project will
provide our students with a unique platform to showcase their talents and abilities as well as enable us to
market all the products under one recognized brand name.”
The merchandise found within the “Smiles n‟ Stuff” store inclusive of mugs, t-shirts, bags and other crafts are
all manufactured by the students themselves within Al Noor‟s vocational training unit. These items have
historically been distributed through various points of sales including bazaars and Al Noor‟s catalogue.
However, through providing Al Noor with this new retail destination, Greenline has facilitated Al Noor‟s aim to
help people with special needs acquire more recognition for their efforts and achievements as well as opening
new channels of raising funds for the non-profit organization. Speaking on behalf of Greenline Interiors,
Business Development Director Lea Badro quotes “Greenline Interiors is proud to be part of such an inspiring
and rewarding project. Promoting such a project to support people with special needs required a platform
which we were able to provide; from inception to design, manufacturing and branding. Now that the store is
open, we are looking forward to seeing the development and growth of not only the funds, but also the
personal development of the students we have closely interacted with.”
Ends
About Greenline Interiors
The unique interiors designed to fit the nature of this initiative is yet another example of Greenline Interiors‟ 34
years of dedication and passion for designing and manufacturing interiors. Examples of the aesthetic values
of the company are evident in its portfolio of local and international clients. This includes the design and
execution of the luxury palaces of ruling families of the UAE as well as their properties in the UK and Paris,
the Presidential Library in Texas of the former U.S. President – George Bush (Sr.), the first Emirates Airlines
First and Business Class lounge at Dubai International Airport, the Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat in the South of
France, Le Vendome Paris, the Sheraton Edinburgh in Scotland , the 7 star Conference Palace Hotel in Abu
Dhabi as well as the execution of 202 suites of the 7 star Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai.

About Al Noor Training Centre
Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs is a 28 year old non-profit organization which has
passionately worked through proactive selfless efforts in providing a fair chance for individuals with special
needs residing in the UAE to lead comfortable independent lives. Al Noor has successfully been fulfilling its
community service through the dedication of a professional staff as well as up-to-date training skills and topend
tools and equipments. The purpose built facility in which „Smiles n‟ Stuff‟ is housed was donated by HH
Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai and
through the benefaction of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.
For further information on this story please contact:
Sarah Michaelson-Yeates
Anushe Ramzi
sarah@greenlinegroup.com
aramzi@alnooruae.org
+971 4 886 22 44 +971 4 340 4844
+971 50 902 11 71
www.greenlinegroup.com
www.alnoorspneeds.ae