• 26 March 2015

Volunteer Emirates, a staple of the Dubai Cares community engagement calendar, has recently completed its first of three editions set to take place in 2015. 100 volunteers led by Dubai Cares gathered at ZamZam School in Kharan, Ras Al Khaimah to work together on enhancing the school's learning environment for its 600 female students.

The first edition of Dubai Cares Volunteer Emirates 2015 received widespread support from the local community with volunteers participating in maintenance work as well as adding a dash of color to reinvigorate the general ambience of the school. Volunteers installed murals across the school corridors, a shade umbrella to protect students from the hot weather as well as new playground toys. Volunteers also assisted with refurnishing the sports hall with new gymnastics mats, yoga balls and dumbbells.

Speaking about the 2015 edition of Volunteer Emirates, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares said: "Dubai Cares transforms the learning environments of children in developing countries around the globe and through Volunteer Emirates, we are able to bring a slice of the work we do to the UAE through a volunteering initiative. The new resources and the display of color the volunteers have infused into Zamzam School as part of Volunteer Emirates 2015 has created a space within which students can study, play, imagine and create. Providing a safe and improved learning environment to children is a key component of our mandate and is essential to the students' learning experience."

"DEWA has been a generous supporter of Dubai Cares since its launch in 2007 and has played a crucial role in helping us deliver on our promise to provide as many children as possible around the world with the gift of education. Today, DEWA continues to support Dubai Cares, particularly through its active involvement in our local initiatives such as Volunteer Emirates. We look forward to their continuous contribution to keep our momentum going for the years coming," concluded Al Gurg.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA said: "DEWA is supporting the Volunteer Emirates initiative as a main sponsor. This initiative is one of Dubai Cares' main local community engagement pillars that aims to improve the educational environment in not-for-profit schools in the UAE. It gives the chance for volunteers to serve society by dedicating their time and effort to support important causes. Our sponsorship supports the directives of our wise leadership, the UAE Vision 2021 to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world, and the Dubai Plan 2021 to establish Dubai as an inclusive and cohesive society that embraces common civic values. It underlines DEWA's corporate social responsibility and our commitment to the comfort and well-being of all society."

"As a sustainable innovative world-class utility, corporate social responsibility is one of the key foundations of our strategic plans to achieve social development, well-being of society, and instill positive values in society. DEWA works to establish a basis for sustainable development in support of Dubai's vision," he added.

"We are proud to sponsor the Volunteer Emirates initiative to enhance social service by focusing on the concepts of solidarity, collaboration, and sponsoring CSR initiatives and programs. This underlines DEWA's leading role as a national organization that is active in the development of all society, including the educational sector," concluded Al Tayer.

Azza Rashed Salem Abdullah, School Principal, ZamZam Primary School for Girls said: "Volunteering is the most precious form of activity as it is invaluable and comes at no cost from individuals who contribute their time to bring happiness into the hearts of others. Our gratitude goes to Dubai Cares, its staff and volunteers who participated in this activity, wishing them blessings, progress and prosperity. "

Aurora Benavidez, one of the participating volunteers, said: "All the events I've attended with Dubai Cares have been refreshing and satisfying. In all the Volunteer Emirates editions that I have been part of, Dubai Cares has shared with us the status of the needy schools we're visiting and the importance of upgrading the learning environment for the students. This is why I continue to volunteer with Dubai Cares. I want to help make a difference. I look forward to volunteering in similar initiatives in the future."

In 2014, Dubai Cares' volunteers undertook renovation work in the Obay Bin Kaab School, Gulf Model School and Al Bustan School in Ras Al Khaimah, as well as the National Charity School in Dubai. Volunteer Emirates is a Dubai Cares community engagement initiative which encourages UAE residents to contribute some of their time towards enhancing the learning experience of students in non-profit schools across the country.

Residents of the UAE interested in taking part in the next edition of Volunteer Emirates 2015 can register online at www.dubaicares.ae

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