Dubai: A Dubai charity has provided 6,000 schoolchildren from low-income families in Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah with school backpacks.
On Saturday, 200 volunteers for Dubai Cares gathered at a school in the emirate, and packed the equipment. Each of the school bags packed by the volunteers included a pencil case, notebooks pens and other stuff.
This latest edition of Volunteer Emirates, which took place in Horizon English School in Dubai on Saturday, was in partnership with Al Ihsan Charity Association and sponsored by Emirates NBD.
Each of the school bags packed by the volunteers included a pencil case, notebooks, sketchbook, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, glue, colouring pencils, ruler and whiteboard pens. Following the initiative, the backpacks were handed over to Al Ihsan Charity Association, which will manage their distribution among school children from low-income families.
Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares, said: “By supporting Dubai Cares’ efforts today, the volunteers have helped to ensure that students from low-income families are fully equipped to learn, discover and thrive. I would like to also extend my gratitude to Emirates NBD who are sponsoring this initiative thereby covering the cost of the bags and essential school items as well as Al Ihsan Charity Association for supporting us with the distribution of these 6,000 school bags ahead of the start of the coming academic year.”
Hesham Abdullah Al Qasim, Vice-Chairman at Emirates NBD said: “Emirates NBD is delighted to lend support to Dubai Cares’ Volunteer Emirates initiative for the needy schoolchildren. This initiative resonates strongly with our commitment to contribute positively to the UAE community and we hope that our efforts will encourage increased private sector participation in volunteering initiatives.”
“We would like to extend our 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 among students from all nationalities, from kindergarten to Grade 12,” said Ahmad Sofa Al Zaabi, Director at Al Ihsan Charity Association.
“It is truly inspiring to see so many different members of the UAE community share the same belief and spirit.”
One volunteer, who originally hails from India, called the experience humbling and heartwarming.
“It is important for all of us to look beyond our own lives, issues, and concerns, and realise that there are people in our society who are not as fortunate,” said Shekhar Sawant.
“Through our commitment and the new school supplies, we hope the students will have a good start to their next academic year.”
