Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 24 August 2019:   Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, successfully completed today its local Back to School edition of Volunteer Emirates 2019. The popular initiative, which was sponsored by Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) and took place at the Dubai Police Officers Club, brought together more than 300 volunteers from the UAE community to pack school kits that will be distributed to 10,000 orphans and children from low income families aged 5 to 17.

 

This year, the distribution of the school kits will be carried out in partnership with the Faraj Fund, the Manar Al Iman Charity School, the National Charity School in Dubai and the Saqir Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Charity and Humanitarian Foundation.

 

This initiative echoes the success of the recent global “Back to School” edition of the widely popular initiative, which was held last May and involved 2,000 volunteers over 4 days in the assembly of 50,000 school kits intended for children in Senegal and Tanzania.

 

Commenting on the significance of this initiative, Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares, said: “As we continue to deliver vital programs that ensure access to quality education among children and youth in developing countries, it is important to look closer to home and support children who are not fortunate enough to go to school, and whose families and caregivers are unable or are barely able to afford school supplies.

 

We are happy to see 10,000 orphans and children from low-income families benefit from the kind support of our partner in this initiative, ENOC, as well as the commitment and dedication of 300 volunteers from the UAE. Together, we are ensuring that these children go back to school adequately equipped with school essentials that will rich their learning experience.”

 

His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, ENOC, said: “We believe that our future generations need to be equipped with the necessary tools and resources, and receive the support they need to be able to strive, grow and hone their skills, even at a young age. Through our sponsorship of the ‘Volunteer Emirates – Local Back to School’ initiative by Dubai Cares, we hope to positively impact young children from under-privileged families in the UAE. We are happy to see our employees volunteering on this day as we stand by the vision of our nation’s Founding Father, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to provide equal opportunities for all.”

 

Arun Pullanikottil from India said: “I’m proud to be part of Volunteer Emirates initiative. We have accomplished so much in just one day, and I hope that what we have done today here will encourage the community members to volunteer and join us next time.”

 

The assembled kits include a school back pack with stationary such as notebooks and sketchbooks, a plastic ruler and a pencil case with color pencils, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, white board pens, ball pens and a glue stick. 

 

This initiative not only enhances the spirit and boosts the confidence of children by giving them the necessary tools they need to learn and prosper, but also alleviates the heavy financial burden on their families.

 

More Details on Dubai Cares’ community engagement initiatives on Social Media Channels

 

Full details on Volunteer Emirates can be found on Dubai Cares’ website and social media platforms. To stay informed about future community engagement initiatives, please visit the ‘Get Involved’ page on www.dubaicares.ae or follow/like Dubai Cares on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube