ASD Walkathon

American School Dhahran and British School Dhahran held their annual walkathon on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Elementary and middle school walked around the campus to generate awareness about the Best Buddies program, of which both schools are members affiliated with.

Best Buddies runs as an after school activity and students from Grade 8/ Year 7 to Grade 12/ Year 13 volunteer at the ACCEL center for individuals with special needs. Students create friendships and run fun activities with members of the center once a month.  When they are not at the center, ASD and BSD students are learning about this community and planning their next activities. 

Working with individuals with special needs reduces the social stigma and allows people with disabilities to feel more comfortable in society.  

Best Buddies International is a not-for-profit, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Their programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills and feel valued by society.