The Kuwaiti "journey of hope" cruise for the mentally disabled has left Toulon port in France on Friday, heading to Italy as part of an international trip to bring awareness towards this category of society.
The cruise members were seen off by First Secretary at Kuwait Embassy in Paris Abdullah Al-Mailam and representative of Kuwait's military office Dawood Al-Dawood.
France is the 20th country visited by the cruise, which launched its trip from Kuwait last May, visiting 39 ports all over the world.
The cruise members met with officials of French organizations in charge of the mentally disabled people. The meeting was headed by Kuwaiti Ambassador to France Ali Al-Saeed.
The idea of the cruise was initiated by parents of mentally challenged citizens, who had some successful experience in dealing with their children who suffer Autism and Down syndrome. The 88 foot long ship was built by Kuwaitis, with a crew of 16 members.