“Tree of Light”, an in-mall activity at The Dubai Mall, is receiving tremendous response from mall visitors, according to Dubai Cares. Sponsored by Paris Gallery, “Tree of Light” is located in the mall’s Star Atrium and runs throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Each year Dubai Cares launches a campaign to raise awareness of issues related to children’s access to quality primary education globally and to encourage further support from the UAE community. To mark its fifth anniversary this year, Dubai Cares is extending its thanks to the UAE community for its continued support across the years, with “Tree of Light” one of the activities part of this year’s campaign. Running until 15 August, the activity offers mall visitors the opportunity to take photos with cut-outs of children from Dubai Cares programs and attach the photos on postcards which can then be stringed onto the "Tree of Light".
Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares, said: “The ‘Tree of Light’ is a colorful tree-like structure that lights up when someone takes a photo with the cut-outs. It symbolizes the bright future that has become possible for millions of children in developing countries thanks to the support of the UAE community. We are pleased with the support we have received so far and invite everyone to visit the stand in the Star Atrium. It is a great way to learn about the impact the UAE community’s contributions are making in the lives of children in developing countries and to be part of the overall experience.”
Mr. Mohammed Abdul Al Rahim Al Fahim, Paris Galley CEO, said "The Paris Gallery Group applauds Dubai Cares for its highly commendable efforts on a very worthy cause. We are extremely glad that through our partnership with Dubai Cares in this initiative, we are able to reach out to the underprivileged areas of the world, especially the children. The children are the future, and the future needs our help today. The vision and passion of Dubai Cares is an inspiration. We have seen the arms of the organization grow longer and wider, able to reach out to many distant corners of the globe. Their efforts have borne much fruit. Millions of children are educated, provided nutritious food, given medical aid, and much more. The campaigns launched to increase the awareness of the importance of girls educations are laudable."
Mr. Al Fahim added "The 'Tree of Light' in Dubai Mall is an excellent concept with the purpose of highlighting and educating the people of Dubai on the vision and mission of Dubai Cares and to shed light on the most pressing need of the hour. It's a big success in that it has cast a vision in the hearts and minds of people. We would like to congratulate and thank Dubai Cares for coming up with such innovative and impressive concepts, and believe that great strides shall be made in fulfilling its mission."
Since its launch in 2007, Dubai Cares has implemented integrated primary education programs that are reaching more than 7 million children in 28 developing countries. Program activities include building and renovating over 1,500 schools and classrooms; providing more than 1,000 water wells and potable water sources and constructing over 3,000 latrines in schools; providing nutritious food everyday to more than 490,000 children in schools; keeping more than 1.5 million children free from intestinal worms through its de-worming activities; distributing over 2 million books written in local languages; establishing over 6,600 Parent-Teacher Associations; and training over 23,000 teachers.