Dubai chocolate sale could make girl walk again

Dubai: A group of eight- and nine-year-olds at Horizon School held a charity sale to raise money to give a classmate the chance to walk for the first time.

An eight-year-old girl at the school, who her family would like to remain unnamed, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, leaving her dependent on walking sticks.

The year three pupil was cheerfully sitting with her classmates during the charity sale.

Pupils sold home-made chocolates. The sale was also a way to introduce them to the principles of the market.

In the four-week run-up to the sale, pupils were taught how to calculate the cost of making chocolates and setting prices in a way to create revenue.

The little girl is set to undergo an operation this summer, which will determine her ability to walk.

One of the organisers and the girl's class teacher, Jenny Waterhouse, said she is a "very bright child, always on top of her class. She is active and likes to participate in sport activities. She does everything by herself."

Gobind Bakhshi and Sasha Lewis, both eight, said they were happy to take part in the chocolate charity sale as it was for a good cause.

Bakhshi excitedly spoke of the profit he was making.

Waterhouse said they expected to raise around Dh4,000 for the charity, all to go towards the little girl's operation.

The school is also still collecting donations from parents and students to reach the target of Dh45,000 to cover the cost of the operation.