DUBAI 16 July 2017: Some 6,000 schoolchildren from low-income families in the Emirates of Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah will get school backpacks containing essential schools supplies, thanks to Dubai Cares and its team of 200 volunteers who participated in the 5th edition of Volunteer Emirates.
The latest edition of Volunteer Emirates, which took place in Horizon English School in Dubai today, was held in partnership with Al Ihsan Charity Association and was sponsored by Emirates NBD, said Wam.
The school bags include a pencil case, notebooks, sketchbook, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, glue, colouring pencils, and ruler and whiteboard pens. The backpacks were handed over to the Al Ihsan Charity Association, which will distribute them among the schoolchildren.
Commenting on the Volunteer Emirates, which is line with the UAE’s Year of Giving 2017, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares, said, “Instilling the spirit of volunteering within the community is a pivotal aspect of Dubai Cares’ work, and the success of this and previous editions of Volunteer Emirates demonstrates how the people of the UAE respond and commit to helping those less fortunate.
By supporting Dubai Cares’ efforts today, the volunteers have helped ensure that students from the low-income families are fully equipped to learn, discover and thrive. I thank them for their eagerness and commitment; they are truly one of our biggest assets. I would like to also extend my gratitude to Emirates NBD, which is sponsoring this initiative, thereby covering the cost of the bags and essential school items, as well as the Al Ihsan Charity Association for supporting us through the distribution of these 6,000 school bags ahead of the upcoming academic year.”
“As a pioneer in the private sector, when it comes to volunteering for good, Emirates NBD is delighted to lend support to Dubai Cares’ Volunteer Emirates initiative to enable needy schoolchildren. This initiative resonates strongly with our commitment to contribute positively to the UAE community, and we hope that our efforts will encourage more private sector participation in volunteering initiatives,” stated Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Vice Chairman Emirates NBD.
Ahmed Sofa Al Zaabi, Director at Al Ihsan Charity Association, remarked, “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dubai Cares for their support and to the dedicated team of volunteers who helped us assemble 6,000 backpacks, which will be distributed to students from all nationalities, from kindergarten to Grade 12. It is inspiring to see so many different members of the UAE community share the same belief and spirit, and witness how they give their time so generously to support both this initiative and the UAE’s Year of Giving 2017.”
Shekhar Sawant from India, who described his Volunteer Emirates 2017 experience as “humbling and heartwarming,” noted, “It is important for all of us to look beyond our own lives, issues, and concerns, and realise that there are people who are not as fortunate. Through our commitment and the new school supplies, we hope the students will get a good start to the academic year.”
By Sheena Amos