Top marks

For most children, a week off school for the Eid holidays would normally mean spending time with friends, hanging out at the mall or heading to the cinema.

But 15-year-olds Mohammad Al Sakka and Mohammad Nasser decided to put their time to better use and volunteer for the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF).

Students at the Rawafed Private School (RPS) in Abu Dhabi, the teenagers were set tasks from the moment they arrived at Emirates Palace Hotel here.

Good experience

Whether it was lugging boxes around, organising dinner settings or even arranging flowers, the boys made the most of the experience.

Al Sakka said: "We applied to be volunteers a while ago online and we thought it would be good to be a part of such a big festival.

"When they called us up to say that we could be involved, we were very pleased. We get free access to all the films when we have finished our work which is a great perk."

Nasser added: "It is a worthwhile job to volunteer for and we are enjoying it. We are meeting lots of new people and it is
also a lot of fun."

Big event

tabloid! caught up with the pair, both from Abu Dhabi, as they shifted flower arrangements from the ballroom theatre to the
auditorium.

Nasser said: "It may not seem very interesting and maybe some friends would think it's boring but the important thing is that you are part of a much bigger picture. We are helping what could turn out to be one of the Middle East's most important events take shape."

To volunteer for MEIFF next year, visit the website for information at www.meiff.com