Dubai pupils to raise funds in school charity programme

Dubai: Dubai's schoolchildren will be taking up the challenge of raising funds to get young people in poorer countries into school, through the Dubai Cares School Charity Programme launched yesterday.

Spearheaded by Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the programme will see thousands of young people getting involved in the philanthropic effort, as schools and pupils take part in the campaign to provide primary education for one million children in seven developing countries.

Hundreds of pupils crowded into the Al Maktoum Ballroom at the Dubai World Trade Centre for the launch yesterday, which included footage of Shaikh Mayed's recent visit to the Comoros Islands, where he toured the site of a school currently under construction.

"This is an opportunity for Dubai's children to shape a better future for those who in years to come will be their partners in the global village," Shaikh Mayed said in the film clip.

More than 100 schools have so far registered to take part in the programme, with each student issued with kits that include Dh20 coupons to raise money for Dubai Cares.

The school, class and student that raises the most money or comes up with the most creative fundraising ideas, will be rewarded for their efforts.

At the launch yesterday, Raffles School International, the Repton School, Beacon Group, and the Amsi Institution which manages Al Mawakeb School each donated Dh1 million, and the King's Dubai School donated Dh500,000.

Knowledge and Human Development Authority Director-general Abdullah Al Karam has urged students, teachers, administrators, parents and school owners to support the campaign.

Yemen: Dh1m donated for girls' education projects

Dh1 million was donated for girls' education projects in Yemen during a recent visit to the country by Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

As an ambassador for Dubai Cares, Shaikha Manal visited schools and students in order to assess the country's educational needs.

Shaikha Manal led a delegation of UAE women who toured the Arwa High School to witness the reality of children's primary education in Yemen.

During a briefing, Fawziya Na'aman, Yemen's Deputy Minister of Education, highlighted the low proportion of educated girls in the country.

The delegation included Mariam Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs; Najla Al Awar, Secretary General of the Cabinet; Mona Al Merri, the Chair of Dubai Women's Establishment; Ezza Al Sherhan, Director of ENDP; Ouhoud Al Roumi, Managing Director of the Prime Minister's Office; Kawthar Kazem and Federal National Council members Fatima Al Merri, Najla Al Awadi and Maysa'a Rashed Ghadayyar.