The ‘School Feeding Campaign’ launched by Dubai Cares, the UAE-based philanthropic establishment founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has received tremendous response from the UAE business community including shopping malls and retailers, in addition to a number of organizations from the telecommunications, educational and trading industry sectors.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Report, in 2009 over one billion people were either hungry or undernourished; 25 per cent were children. The lack of food and under-nutrition in children in developing countries has tremendous influence on the enrolment rates and the number of children that do not go to school at all. In fact 72 million children do not attend school at all due to limited or no access to food and nutrition, according to WFP statistics.
Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares said, “Strongly supported by our partners, the School Feeding Campaign, which commenced on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, aims to raise awareness about this serious global issue among the UAE community. The UAE’s corporate sector has always supported our efforts in providing children with access to primary education globally. Over 1000 retail outlets have already partnered with this initiative. The tremendous support that we have received, will help us provide children with school feeding, as an incentive to attend school and thereby increase school enrolment rates.
Donations for the Dubai Cares ‘School Feeding Campaign’ can be made through a variety of channels. During the campaign period from the Holy month of Ramadan between Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, shoppers can add AED 5 or more to their purchases at participating retailers: Al Manama Group, Al Maya Group, Al Tayer Group, Aswaaq, Axiom Telecom, Chalhoub Group, Danube, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, Emarat, Jumeirah Group, Landmark Group, Merle Norman, M.H. Al Shaya Co. , Paris Gallery and Sharaf DG.
Al Aqili Furnishings, Dubai Duty Free, Lulu Hypermarkets, Marmum Dairy Farm and Patchi are offering to donate a percentage of their sales to support the campaign and to support Dubai Cares programs globally.
Alpen Capital, Americana Group, Bank Sarsin Alpen, Build A Bear Workshop, Dubai Airports, Dubai Customs, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Outlet Mall, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Kinokuniya, Magrudy’s, National Trading & Development Establishment, Virgin Megastore and Wafi will be displaying Dubai Cares donation boxes at their locations to raise funds in support of the campaign and other ongoing programs.
Citibank, Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bankand Standard Chartered Bank are also offering the direct debit facility to their customers who wish to make donations. With the courtesy of The Dubai Mall and HSBC’s support, Dubai Cares will be organizing a charity event throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan at the Star Atrium, to raise awareness about Dubai Cares’ educational programs globally and the School Feeding Campaign. This event will also aim to attract mall visitors throughout the month to raise funds to support the Campaign.
Donations can also be made online at www.dubaicares.ae.A Corporate Social Responsibility Kit, which provides step-by-step guide to corporates, as to how to implement a campaign within their workplace, is also available on the Dubai Cares website. Media corporations including Arabian Radio Network, Khaleej Times and Dubai Media Incorporated have also joined Dubai Cares in support of the School Feeding Campaign.
Du and Etisalat are also supporting this campaign through an SMS donation campaign. Donors can contribute through SMS by texting the word ‘Donation’ to the following codes:
|
Donation Amount |
School Feeding for 30 School Days |
SMS Code |
|
AED 30 |
1 child |
9030 |
|
AED 90 |
3 children |
9090 |
|
AED 300 |
10 children |
9300 |
|
AED 600 |
20 children |
9600 |
|
AED 900 |
30 children |
9900
|