Dubai Cares launches 2016’s Third Edition of Volunteer Emirates in partnership with Dubai Holding

Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has successfully completed the third edition of its popular Volunteer Emirates initiative which took place on Saturday, 26 November 2016 at Al Rashidyah Private School in Ajman. The initiative saw the participation of over 100 volunteers from the UAE community who came together to dedicate their time and effort in support of a cause they strongly believe in. The volunteers were involved in landscaping and painting work, assembling and installing new playground toys, installing shelving units, upgrading the school theater, equipping the library with books and learning material as well as upgrading the school canteen.

Speaking about the event, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares, said “People in the UAE possess a deeply-rooted spirit of charitable giving and volunteerism, and their response to our volunteering initiatives, whether here or abroad, is a testament to that. Over the past years, Volunteer Emirates has proven to be immensely popular with citizens and residents of the UAE, who feel compelled to give their time and energy to help children get the best possible start in life with quality education facilitated by excellent facilities.

Commenting on the partnership with Dubai Cares, Ahmad bin Byat, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Dubai Holding said: “We believe that education is the most important tool to unlocking our region’s future potential, and we are very pleased to continue our collaboration with Dubai Cares through this edition of Volunteer Emirates. Dubai Holding is aligned with the vision of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, and we are committed to supporting and empowering diverse communities through increased access to quality education, both here in the UAE or abroad.”

Mariam Al Hamadi, Principal of Al Rashidyah Private School in Ajman, said: “In my opinion, Volunteer Emirates is one of the best initiatives launched by Dubai Cares. We truly appreciate the efforts and the invaluable support of the volunteers. Hosting this initiative in our school will certainly have a positive impact on our learning environment and on students’ academic outcomes.”

Rana Awad, Marketing Manager at Dubai Cares said: “Volunteer Emirates presents a unique opportunity for UAE-based volunteers to interact with communities on a local level and help make a positive difference in children’s lives by developing safe and enabling environments that stimulate children to get the best from their education.”

Hassan Ali Tahir who joined Dubai Cares’ initiative for the first time said: “Volunteer Emirates has been a truly inspiring initiative. Through our collective volunteering efforts, we were able to enrich the learning environment of the school and provide them with the appropriate educational environment to prosper.”

About Dubai Cares:

Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, is a UAE-based global philanthropic organization working towards providing children in developing countries with access to quality education. Our mission to increase children’s access to quality education is guided by a common principle: children ready for schools, schools ready for children, parents and the community ready to play their role. Gender equality is a cross cutting theme in all Dubai Cares’ education programs. Central to Dubai Cares’ approach is also a focus on monitoring, evaluation and learning.

Over the past 9 years, Dubai Cares has successfully launched education programs reaching over 16 million beneficiaries in 45 developing countries in partnership with UN aid agencies and international and local NGOs such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Plan International, International Rescue Committee (IRC), World Food Program, Pratham, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED), CARE International and Save the Children among others.

To learn more, please visit www.dubaicares.ae or contact