More than 10,850 boys and girls from Grade 1 to Grade 12 aged 5 to 17 years have been given an extra-special start to the new academic year. Dubai Cares and its 350 volunteers participated in the 6th edition of Volunteer Emirates, whereby school children enrolled in the five National Charity Schools in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman will be provided with school backpacks containing essential school supplies. Sponsored by the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), the latest edition of the ‘Volunteer Emirates’ initiative was organized today at Horizon English School. 

Speaking about the 6th edition of Volunteer Emirates, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares said: “A new school year represents a new chapter in the story of so many children, and we hope that the essential school supplies provided to thousands of children through this latest edition of Volunteer Emirates will help ensure that their story is one of learning, development, enjoyment and achievement. I thank once again members of the UAE community who continue to demonstrate their compassion, social awareness, and innate sense of contribution and service. I would also like to thank ENOC for their support and for illustrating their true belief in the power of education and their trust in Dubai Cares.” 

“CSR is deeply rooted in our organization’s ethos and this initiative has been introduced as a way for us to contribute to the happiness and wellbeing of our future generations. At ENOC, we continuously aspire to forge and maintain partnerships that promote education, while enabling our nation’s young minds. We are pleased to partner with Dubai Cares on this edition launch of ‘Volunteer Emirates’ and are overwhelmed by the positive response we received so far.” Added H.E. Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Chief Executive Officer, ENOC Group. 

Each of the school bags packed by the volunteers included a pencil case, notebooks, sketchbook, pencils, blue pens, crayons, stickers, sharpeners, erasers, glue, felt tip pens, rulers and a geometry set. The packs were handed over to the National Charity Schools to carry out their distribution.

Dr. Kamal Farhat, General Manager of the National Charity Schools said: “Providing a true quality education requires many things, and the infrastructure, resources, and equipment that enable learning, curiosity, and growth are among them. All National Charity Schools are tremendously grateful for Dubai Cares, ENOC and the volunteers from the UAE community for their generosity and selflessness in giving thousands of school children a perfect start for the new academic year.”