We're here to help - Maitha

Dubai: As the amount raised for Dubai Cares surged past the half-billion dirham mark on Tuesday, a visit by an official delegation to Sudan highlighted the need to support education in developing countries.

In her capacity as a Dubai Cares ambassador, Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited Sudan to gauge the educational needs of the country's children.

"Dubai Cares believes in every child's right to education and is committed to ensuring that no child is denied an education. I wanted to tell the children we are here to help them and to, ultimately, help their country," she said in a statement.

During the trip, Shaikha Maitha was briefed by government and Unicef officials on the Sudanese education system, which has been decimated by over 20 years of civil war. The delegation also visited some schools, where there are almost 60 students to a class.

"Having seen the situation on the ground and the conditions that children endure to obtain an education, I am overwhelmed with their capacity to cope with unbelievable challenges.

"My heart goes out to them. Through campaigns such as Dubai Cares, we will empower them, their families and the community," Shaikha Maitha said.

While access to education in cities such as Khartoum is improving, Mohammed Khair, Information Attache at the Sudanese Consulate in Dubai told Gulf News that the children of Darfur were among those most in need of support.

"Especially in Darfur, the situation is very difficult. Before the conflict, education was stable in towns including Nyala and Al Jinena, but it has been impacted by the displacement and conflict."

According to Unicef, in war-torn Darfur more than 50 per cent of children aged 6 to 13, and nearly three quarters of school-age children in Southern Sudan, are not in school.

The Dubai Sports Council will hold a press conference at Zabeel Club to announce the details of its charity auction to be held on October 22 as part of the Dubai Cares Campaign. Donations received by the council from sport stars and celebrities will be revealed. Sports stars such as Maradona and Roger Federer and many UAE sports champions will attend. Bobby Charlton, the Manchester United club's chief executive will also be present.

Pledge: Maktoum receives Dh260m cheque

Dubai World pledged Dh260 million, bringing the total raised for the initiative to educate 1 million children to more than Dh688 million - over three times the initial Dh200 million target.

Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority, received a cheque of Dh260 million from Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World.

"We believe that as a responsible corporate house, it is incumbent on Dubai World to do its best in support of this noble cause," Bin Sulayem said in a statement.

- Staff Report