You can help children of poverty chase dreams

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You can help children of poverty chase dreams

The campaign emphasises the abundance of talent and resourcefulness among children in developing countries.

By Staff Reporter

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Published: Thu 25 Jun 2015, 1:14 AM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jul 2015, 3:09 PM

The drive will promote skill exchange between children in impoverished communities and those from around the world. — Supplied photo

Dubai - The Dubai Cares has launched its Ramadan campaign called ‘We Can Teach Each Other’. The campaign emphasises the abundance of talent and resourcefulness among children in developing countries, as well as the responsibility of the international community to help empower these children through education.

The campaign looks at children from different backgrounds in developing countries who showcase their skills and aptitudes through making crafts such as wearable items and toys using simple materials such as disposable bags, old shoes, plastic and clothes, as well as natural resources such as tree leaves and twigs.

The unique campaign aims to promote a first-of-a-kind skill exchange between children in impoverished communities and school-going children from around the world.

Tutorial-style ‘how to’ campaign videos present the unique capabilities these children have gained within their environments over the years. The videos conclude with a message urging the community to empower the children by teaching them to read by donating to the Dubai Cares programme during the holy month of Ramadan.

Tariq Al Gurg, chief executive officer of the Dubai Cares, said: “Whether they are from the UAE or a developing community anywhere around the world, children are born with an innate desire to learn. Learning through playing and exploration, children find innovative ways to absorb new content and learn from their surrounding environment, thus building their creativity and confidence.

“However, millions of children are unable to complement their learning journey with basic literacy and numeracy, which form the foundation of their academic learning. As global citizens, it is our responsibility to help them harness this potential so that they can advance despite the handicaps induced by poverty, such as lack of resources and opportunities. Through the ‘We Can Teach Each Other’ Ramadan campaign, we aim to demonstrate the capabilities of these children while highlighting the creativity, curiosity and value that they can bring when given the right skills through education.”

Social media campaign

How you can support

> Donate via SMS by sending the word “donation” to 9030, 9090, 9300, 9600 and 9900 to donate Dh30, Dh90, Dh300, Dh600 or Dh900 respectively through official telecom partner Etisalat

> Donate at Waterfall Atrium in The Dubai Mall till July 6

> Make donations online at www.dubaicares.ae

> Conduct personal fundraising activities in support of Dubai Cares through www.justgiving.com/dubaicares

> Make a direct financial donation via the Dubai Cares’ account or with a cheque in the name of Dubai Cares

> Drop your contributions in donation boxes placed in various locations throughout Dubai

 #IsFor explained

> Dubai Cares’ biggest social media campaign, #IsFor, will drive the creation of the first Instagram alphabet book

> UAE residents just need to post photographs of objects whose words start with each letter of the alphabet, such as an image of an apple and a description of “A #IsFor Apple” or an image of a bike “B #IsFor Bike” or a picture of a train “T #IsFor Train”, while also tagging #DubaiCares

> Dubai Cares will collate many of the images along with the profile pictures and user names of the users who shared them in an Instagram alphabet book, which will be distributed in English, Arabic and French in some of the organisation’s beneficiary countries

The campaign also features the organisation’s biggest social media campaign to date — #IsFor. It drives the creation of the first Instagram alphabet book with the support of the UAE community.

Residents of the UAE and people around the world are encouraged to post photographs of objects whose words start with each letter of the alphabet, such as an image of an apple and a description of “A #IsFor Apple” or an image of a bike “B #IsFor Bike” or a picture of a train “T #IsFor Train”, while also tagging #DubaiCares.

Towards the end of the campaign, Dubai Cares will collate many of the images along with the profile pictures and user names of the users who shared them in an Instagram alphabet book, which will be distributed in English, Arabic and French in some of the organisation’s beneficiary countries.

The Dubai Cares’ annual mall activity at The Dubai Mall is also supporting the creation of the book, giving shoppers a convenient way to donate during Ramadan.

“We are very excited about this campaign, especially since the content of the book will be community-sourced and created by the people of the UAE. As a tool that will benefit children around the world, we encourage every resident and visitor to get involved. We believe this is something that gives our supporters a real sense of ownership and contribution — a sense of giving more than just money. The process is underpinned by interaction, empathy and connectivity, which is exactly what we look to foster through our programmes,” said Al Gurg. -reporters@khaleejtimes.com


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