Dubai: Syrian refugee children in the Emirati-Jordanian Camp received packages containing gifts and toys to celebrate Eid Al Adha.
Organised by the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) and Knowledge Without Borders (KWB), the ‘Gift from the Heart’ campaign formed part of the ‘Read to Syria’s Children’ initiative launched by Shaikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, UAEBBY Patron and head of the organising committee of KWB.
The first phase of the gift campaign, which was launched in August, gave UAE citizens and residents the chance to make a difference in refugee children’s lives by purchasing a gift that was selected by the children in the Emirati-Jordanian Refugee Camp from Hamley’s Toys stores at The Dubai Mall and Mirdif City Centre.
The second phase of the campaign was held in collaboration with gift service Fionka, which brings gifts and gift wrapping services to people’s doorstep. During this phase, the Fionka bus visited busy locations across Sharjah to give people the opportunity to buy and donate gifts.
The toys were distributed by a delegation from UAEBBY and KWB. During their visit, the delegation also inspected the recently opened Big Heart Library – a 3,000-volume library that was established earlier this year.
Each child received a gift package consisting of a number of items, with the exact contents adjusted for age and gender, such as a watch, a doll, various accessories, and educational toy, a ball, a car, and a book.
In addition to the distribution of the gift packages, the children’s Eid celebrations included entertainment activities and performances.
The ‘Read to Syria’s Children’ aims at supporting Syrian refugee children affected by the crisis in Syria, easing their suffering and giving them and their families hope for a better future. The visit received wide international recognition, particularly from international organisations concerned with children, refugees, and reading promotion.
