Six thousand school children from low-income families in the Emirates of Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah will be provided with 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. This latest edition of Volunteer Emirates, which took place in Horizon School today, is in partnership with Al Ihsan Charity Association and is sponsored by Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region.
Commenting on the latest edition of 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 to ensure that students from 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.”
Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Vice Chairman Emirates NBD said “As a pioneer in the private sector when it comes to volunteering for good, Emirates NBD is delighted to lend support to Volunteer Emirates in enabling 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.”
Ahmed Sofa Al Zaabi, Director at Al Ihsan Charity Association, said: “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 among students from all nationalities, from xx to Grade 12. It is truly inspiring to see so many 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 described Volunteer Emirates 2017 experience as “humbling and heartwarming”, saying: “It is important for all of us to look beyond our own lives, issues, and concerns, and realize that there are people in our society who are not as fortunate. Through our commitment and the new school supplies, we hope the students will have a good start to their next academic year.”