Volunteers get together to show 'Dubai Cares'

Dubai - Volunteer Emirates has kicked off with the first edition of 2016 taking place at the National Charity School for Girls in Maysaloon, Sharjah.

Famous author Mark Twain once said: "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
And volunteering is at the very core of being human and kind. These are the very unsung heroes who work for a cause and not for the applause and one word that describes them best is "noble".
Volunteer Emirates, one of Dubai Cares' most popular volunteering initiatives, has kicked off with the first edition of 2016 taking place at the National Charity School for Girls in Maysaloon, Sharjah.
The first of four planned editions for the year saw 125 volunteers from the UAE come together to help enrich the school's learning environment by providing equipment and school furniture as well as improving learning conditions for more than 1,200 students.
Participating volunteers joined the Dubai Cares team in assembling 650 desks and chairs for students, installing an additional shade in the playgrounds, installing new white boards in classrooms, providing new sports equipment as well as 30 new desks and chairs for teachers.
"The new equipment, additional learning materials, and refurbishments will completely rejuvenate the learning experience for the children, as well as set a wonderful example of the unity and dedication of the people of the United Arab Emirates." said Abdulla Al Shehhi, Director of Business Support, Dubai Cares.
Anjum Hassan who is volunteering alongside one of her students at Delhi Private School in Sharjah said, "We are very fortunate to be part of this initiative and to be supporting Dubai Cares in its great work. When a large group of people come together, they can make a big difference."
Haseeba who is a first time volunteer with Dubai Cares said, "It is a wonderful experience being with such a diverse group of volunteers. Volunteering at charity schools is a beautiful concept."
Speaking about the event, Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares said: "We first launched Volunteer Emirates in 2008 and it gives me great pride to say that the initiative has been growing in popularity over the years. This grassroots movement, in-line with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, offers volunteers a unique opportunity to truly engage with the local community and make a difference. We have been very fortunate to receive the ongoing support of Visa that has helped us maintain the powerful momentum going into 2016. Together, we will continue to build on initiatives of this kind, and further develop sustainable and inspiring learning environments for children all over the Emirates."
Dubai Cares partnered with Visa for the opening edition of Volunteer Emirates, as well as involved 25 volunteers from the company. Visa is also playing a wider role in Dubai Cares'mission to bring quality education to children around the world, particularly by extending support to initiatives such as Dubai Cares' annual Ramadan campaign.
saman@khaleejtimes.com