Following two successful school refurbishment projects earlier this year, Dubai Cares organized the third edition of Volunteer Emirates 2014 on November 1, 2014 at the National Charity School in Dubai. Volunteer Emirates is part of a series of local initiatives by Dubai Cares that offer UAE residents the opportunity to give back to their community and support the philanthropic organization's mission.
As part of the program, over 100 volunteers pitched in to give the school, located in Al Garhoud, a facelift in order to bring its academic resources up-to-date. Sponsored by Al Tayer Group, the event attracted residents as well as corporate volunteers who undertook a number of activities including the assembly of over 1,000 school desks, renovation of the school library with new educational resources, replacement of existing blackboards with white boards and the construction of a shade roof-top.
Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares, emphasized the need for community outreach that reflects the organization's mandate locally, saying: "One of the points we focus on during the course of our work in beneficiary countries in the developing world is the creation of a conducive learning environment. Increasing access to education also involves developing a stress-free and resource-rich environment that stimulates students to think, learn and query. In this regard, the work that the volunteers have carried out today contributes significantly to the overall learning experience of the children enrolled here at the National Charity School in Dubai. It is a matter of great pride for us to be able to smarten up the ambience of this school, whilst providing the residents of Dubai a window to the activities we undertake on their behalf, in developing countries around the globe."
Located in Al Garhoud, The National Charity School in Dubai aims to ensure quality education for boys and girls from Grade 1 to Grade 12, aged five to 17 years, irrespective of their social or economic status. The school provides a robust base in Arabic, English, mathematics and science, helping students build up their foundational skills to transition into higher education institutions. The school follows the Ministry of Education's curriculum.
The first edition of Volunteer Emirates 2014 took place on Saturday May 17, 2014 when Dubai Cares along with 100 volunteers upgraded the premises and enhanced the learning environment of Al Bustan School, the Ras Al Khaimah-based boys-only school. The second edition was sponsored by DEWA, bringing together 130 volunteers at the Gulf Model School in Dubai to give the 32-year old school premises an uplift.
The fourth and final edition of Volunteer Emirates for the year 2014 will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2014. UAE residents interested in participating can register online at www.dubaicares.ae