Special guardian to special students

Most often people who do great services to the society go unnoticed, for they neither demand anything nor engage in a battle for fame. Fifty-seven years old Tariq Mansoor Neama is a man with a difference. A helper to special needs students at the University of Bahrain for the past 32 years, Tariq is respected by all for the relentless service.

A workaholic, he starts his job at 4.30 in the morning, which goes up to 8.30 in the night. “I never feel exhausted because I am helping my own children. Their success is my success and their happiness is my happiness,” said Tariq. Tariq could be found anywhere in the campus helping special needs children. “I am in charge of eight female students and four male students. I treat them as my own children.”

Tariq has three sons and five daughters. He said he became determined to serve the society after losing a daughter to blood hemorrhage. UoB students say he is one of the most respected persons within the campus. Lawyer Abdulrazzaq Abdulmohsen, a successful lawyer who became blind at the age of 10, said Tariq was of great help when he was at the university. “He is someone whom I am indebted to for my personal and professional growth, apart from my teachers, family members and friends,” Mr Abdulmohsen said.