Students in Dubai assemble 9,000 school kits for families with low incomes
Over 3,000 students from Dubai schools united to pack school kits for children from low-income families in the UAE. In the second phase of the Dubai Cares' Students for Students initiative, volunteers prepared 9,000 school kits for their peers. These kits will be distributed by Dubai Cares to various charitable schools and organizations across the UAE, which will ensure they reach students before the new academic year starts. Beneficiary entities include Al Etihad Charity Foundation, Al Ihsan Charity Association, Hemaya Schools, and National Charity Schools. Hassan Sawalmeh from the National Charity Schools emphasized the profound impact of the initiative on students from low-income families, stating, "It brings joy and happiness to their hearts and makes them feel that they are not alone in facing life's challenges. For volunteers, this initiative is equally significant as it fosters a sense of purpose and community, allowing them to develop valuable skills and gain respect and recognition. We are grateful to Dubai Cares for leading this initiative and look forward to participating in more activities that promote humanitarian values and support the community." A total of 3,573 student volunteers, along with teachers, parents, and family members, participated to support the education of underprivileged children. Arianna Abraham, a student at Jumeirah College and one of the volunteers, shared her experience: "We had such a great time with the school packing activity. It was amazing to see students of all age groups working together to make this initiative truly special. Some even made handwritten postcards, and everyone ensured the bags were packed to perfection with the utmost care. Supporting local charities is so important because they address the needs of our community here in the UAE. I hope these backpacks are a nice surprise for them in the new school year." In the first phase of the initiative, students from various schools in Dubai organized several events, including spring fairs, bake sales, and games, to raise funds. These activities successfully raised over Dh700,000, which Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), used to purchase essential school supplies such as school bags and stationery. Abdulla Ahmed Alshehhi, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Cares, expressed the organization's admiration for the community spirit demonstrated by the 14 participating schools. "The dedication and hard work of the students, teachers, and parents have been truly inspiring," he said. "Their efforts will significantly impact the lives of many children, ensuring they have the necessary tools for a successful academic year." He also mentioned that the feedback about the initiative has been very promising. "It meaningfully involves the students in making a positive impact. We thank all the participating schools and students for their remarkable efforts and unwavering support and look forward to the participation of more schools in the coming year." Leanne Fridd, principal of Safa Community School, one of the event participants, expressed her pride in her students. "They have shown exemplary leadership skills, leading our spring fair back in February to raise over Dh 80,000. Our students were incredible at packing over 1,000 school kits," she said. "We can’t wait to see the recipients’ faces when they receive their kits in the new academic year. A very big thank you to Dubai Cares for driving this initiative and for allowing us to be involved; their organization has been incredible, and we look forward to working with them in the future," she added.
Source: Khaleej Times
