Single mum with 2 special needs kids to start charity clinic
The one lesson life has taught me is that if you have a bunch of people who love you and support you — like at my university and my family — you can achieve anything.” Dr Noura Mohamed Juma,
paediatric dental surgeon
dubai — From working two jobs to managing special needs children single-handedly and caring for a mother who is suffering from cancer, a young Emirati doctor shares her inspiring story of how she became a paediatric dental surgeon, and is now working to start her own children’s charity clinic.
Dr Noura Mohamed Juma, who completed her postgraduation from the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, spoke about her inspiring journey at the white coat ceremony held at the university recently that welcomed its third cohort of 64 students of 18 nationalities.
Eight years after her graduation, Dr Noura was divorced — left with two special needs kids — yet she nurtured a dream of pursuing postgraduate studies, not only for her career growth but also to give back to her society.
While her son Zayed suffered from mild cortical cerebral atrophy and learning disabilities,
daughter Ayesha was suffering from a rare eye condition.
“I had worked in various government and private sector institutions and I knew that I needed to update my skills.” Although it was challenging, Dr Noura took up post graduation while managing her job and kids with the help of Al Jalila Foundation that offered her a full scholarship for a two-year Masters in Paediatric Dentistry at the at Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine (HBMCDM) at the MBRU.
No sooner that she joined her postgraduation, Dr Noura received yet another setback. Her biggest support at home — her mother who was managing her kids in her absence — was diagnosed with cancer.
“This is when Al Jalila Foundation introduced me to their Ta’alouf programme that was specially designed to help parents of the determined ones. I was part of the first Ta’alouf Parents Training cohort in 2013 where I met a lot of mothers with children having a much severe condition than my son. It helped me a lot as I was given tips, training and practice which helped me greatly deal with my kids.”
Dr Noura is now working two jobs — one in the government sector while another in a private clinic — along with managing her kids. She is also volunteering with multiple charities where she is giving talks on oral hygiene and also offering dental services free of cost, especially to underprivileged families.
A message Dr Noura gives to all going through adversity: “The one lesson life has taught me is that if you have a bunch of people who love you and support you — like at my university and my family — you can achieve anything. Trust yourself, never stop due to any challenges, work hard and surround yourself by positive people.