Young minds can make a difference too

Dubai: About 4,000 pupils from Academia Management Solutions International stood hand-in-hand with Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Al Mawakeb School campus in Al Barsha yesterday and pledged themselves for the Dubai Cares project.

Dr Abdullah Al Karam, chairman of the board of directors and director general of Knowledge and Human Development Authority, said that His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has through the Dubai Cares project taught pupils and students something that they cannot get from books.

He said: "The Dubai Cares initiative has helped us deliver a message to all children at every schooling age that they, too, have a role and that they, too, can make a difference."

'I felt important'

"As a pupil I felt important," said Mariene Alexander, a Romanian Grade 12 pupil. He was one of the 14 pupils representing various nationalities and chanting "I care because Dubai cares" in the language of the country they represented.

A collaboration of academicians and educators, the Academia Management Solutions International (Amsi) is the management institution of Al Mawakeb Schools in Al Barsha and Garhoud, Dubai, International School of Arts and Sciences (ISAS), Al Warqa, Dubai, and the International School of Al Koura, Lebanon. Al Mawakeb School is one of the oldest private schools in Dubai.

Amsi yesterday donated Dh1 million for the Dubai Cares project.

"I am from Romania and when I was up on the stage my mind went to the education system that exists in my country which needs a revamp. The education system is far superior that what we have in Romania," said Alexander.

Shaikh Mayed also attended an event organised by the Administrative Services Unit (ASU) in Dubai School Agency. The art-related event was held at Deira City Centre in aid of Dubai Cares. In a symbolic gesture, Shaikh Mayed added his signature to his hand impression and appreciated the efforts of children to raise funds.

Shaikh Mayed also received Dh1 million for the Dubai Cares campaign from Rohit Walia, CEO and Managing Director of Bank Sarasin-Alpen and Alpen Capital in Dubai, part of the Swiss based Bank Sarasin Group.

Ala'a Galadari, a UAE national who is also a grade 12 pupil, said that the project has given every pupil an opportunity to raise a global awareness for children who can't attend school because of poverty.

She said: "I think we should do something for the poor children in some of the Asian countries. In my opinion if the Dubai Cares project touches the heart of one pupil, it is an achievement in itself."

The Department of Economic Development (DED) organised a donation campaign to support the Dubai Cares initiative. The campaign, led by Ali Ebrahim, Deputy Director General for Executive Affairs, gained overwhelming response from all employees.