Dubai: A new programme will see UAE schoolchildren undertake acts of kindness and write short stories about their acts of giving over the next 100 days.
As part of the National Happiness and Positivity Programme, rolled out by the Ministry of Happiness, UAE authorities have launched a new initiative called ‘100 Days of Giving’.
The nationwide initiative aims to instill and cultivate the value of giving back to the community.
“Happiness is about giving, helping people, and not expecting anything in return,” said Uhoud Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness. She was quoting His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The initiative aims to encourage students, parents and schools to adopt giving as a way of life, she added.
Referencing a recent study by Swansea University in the UK, Al Roumi noted that giving back to the community induces further happiness in individuals — compared to individuals who chase their own desires.
The study revealed that people who had done good deeds to the community showed signs of psychological relief, their happiness surging as a result.
Government partners of the programme include the UAE Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi Education Council and Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai.
To take part in the 100 Days of Giving, students are called to document their participation in the initiative’s activities in special notebooks that will be handed out to them.
Meanwhile, school-led activities are to be documented using the hashtag #100_Days_of_Giving on Twitter.
The top 10 student projects will be recognised with certificates of gratitude, handed out at an awards ceremony.
Here’s how each government partner is taking part
Ministry of Education: The federal ministry has rolled out an initiative titled Life is Better When We Give. This will see students write short stories about giving and its impact on the giver.
The winning stories will be printed and distributed in libraries around the UAE. Proceeds from the initiative will support projects by Dubai Cares, a charity.
Uhoud Khalfan Al Roumi |
Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA): The Dubai education authority saw its chairman, Abdullah Al Karam, and Minister of State for Happiness Uhoud Khalfan Al Roumi volunteer as teachers’ assistants. By temporarily taking on part of their role, the two senior officials hoped to express their gratitude and appreciation for teachers in Dubai’s schools.
Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec): The council’s plan will see teachers in the emirate distribute Spreading Good cards to students. The cards encourage students to go out, do a good deed, and pass the card along to the person they helped.
The card is passed from person to person, amplifying the initiative’s impact.
