Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs has announced the launch of its 2004 greeting card collection. With designs sourced from the work of local artists, art students from various local schools and the work of Al Noor students, the 2004-2005 range proves to be the most creative and inspired yet. “We try and cater to all tastes each year – with a little something for everyone,” said Isphana Al-Khatib, Al Noor’s Director. “Whether it be the Heritage & Eid or Christmas Collection or even the Traditional Al Noor Collection, images to chose from vary from floral, scenes, calligraphy, jewellery and abstract.” The catalogue includes sections on Impressions by Ihsan Al-Khateeb; Nature’s Majesty by Morris Jebsen; Waterways by Peter Lawrence; Bougainvilla Collection by Maruska Lebrun; Exclusive Collection by artists living in the UAE; Christmas Collection and Heritage & Eid Collection designed by Al Noor students; and Traditional Al Noor Collection with paintings by artists living in the UAE and Latifa School for Girls students. For every order of 250 cards or more, Al Noor will customize the cards and provide complimentary offset printing in one colour. Al Noor would like to thank all the local artists that contributed to the project, students of Latifa School for Girls for their artwork, Kali Jal for photography, Shuttle Advertising, Motivate Publishing, Dubai Country Club, Marriott Group and Helena Pierloot-Rich for yet again managing the Greeting Card project. The catalogue also features some products that have been created at the Centre by the students, namely bookmarks, key chains, pencil holders, table cloths and cushion covers - perfect for gifts and all for sale with all proceeds for Al Noor. The Centre, which is run under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, provides professional multi-disciplinary training to help children with special needs from infancy through to functional integration into society. Al Noor does not rely on any regular funding other than the limited fees charged, which represents only one-third of the real cost of providing the education and care each child receives.