Tomorrow's World: 'I want to be a vet'

The children of today are the adults of tomorrow. They shape the future and reflect our progress. What are the hopes and aspirations of our kids? How do they see themselves contributing to a better world? What do they feel, think, believe and desire? Every week, we zoom in on the youth living in the Emirates, and hear what they have to say

Children of the Week: Emma Louise Rixhon

Living in Dubai offers unique opportunities to our children, not necessarily available in other countries. For six-and-a half year old Emma Louise Rixhon, it has been the developing appeal for Kathak, a classical North Indian style of dance. Being the only European girl in Kshama Munshi's weekly Indian dance class does not faze her. After all, it was when she accompanied her Indian friend to the class that ignited her fascination for this ethnic art form.

According to mum Marilyn Rixhon, Emma Louise has always displayed a creative flair for movements to music. She also appreciates the different cultural dance forms and enjoys attending various dance recitals.

A consultant by profession, father Philippe Rixhon's work brought the family to Dubai from Switzerland two years ago. Emma Louise currently studies at the Emirates International School and is actively involved in Girl Scouts, basketball and dance classes.

SHE SAYS:

The best part about living in Dubai is that I don't have to wear warm woolly clothes in the cold winter. The hot desert and blue sea are very different from the forest and mountains with snow you see in my home country. But when I went sliding down the sand dunes here, it reminded me of snowboarding in Switzerland.

My grandmother lives in the Matterhorn region and we go hiking, skiing and camping in the mountains during the holidays. I even visit my sister Laura during vacation. She is 14 years old and can't speak. But we understand each other well and have a good time together.

My mother volunteers at the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre and when I go with her sometimes, I like playing with the children there.

The most amazing experience I had with nature was when I visited a volcano in Indonesia. We put a basket of eggs in a geyser of hot water and when it came out from there, the eggs were cooked. It was yummy, but tasted different from usual boiled eggs because the yellow part was as hard as the white. We also visited a wildlife reserve nearby, where cute gibbons followed me everywhere. When my family and I went for a dip in the river, the gibbon also washed herself there.

When I grow up, I want to be a vet and a mommy. As a vet I can save animals. Many times, birds have smashed into the window of our house and I have rescued them. What I do is pick up the fallen birds with a towel, give them water to drink, pet them and talk to them. Sometimes they survive, other times they don't. But you must wash your hands when you finish touching them.

My favourite book is from the library and called Whose Sick Today. It is all about animals that are unwell with sicknesses that rhyme with their name. For example, there is a "fox with chickenpox" and a "beaver with a fever." I also enjoy the bedtime story my mother reads to me about Mrs Pepperpot. She is a lady who speaks animal language and shrinks, so has funny adventures.

My mother is very kind and teaches me about taking responsibility, especially for your pets. I have six turtles and I must not forget to feed them everyday. Even if I have been naughty and my mom is angry with me, I know she loves me. I keep asking questions so it is annoying sometimes.

When I become a mother, I will also explain to my children about right and wrong. I think there will be new machines in the world when I grow up to be an adult. It would be nice to have a super robot that could give us extra help when mummies are busy. It can look after children and do the chores.

My father teaches me French and takes me places. I love going to the park, zoo, fun fairs at the malls and museums. It is fun to learn about old things and at the museums you learn how things used to be. I like the Arabian Wildlife Centre in Sharjah the most.