DUBAI // Eight thousand people took part in the sixth Dubai Cares Walk for Education at Creek Park on Friday.
The symbolic three-kilometre walk sought to highlight challenges that children in the developing world face when trying to get an education, one of them being having to walk long distances.
One participant said he found the event to be "very inspirational".
"We are made aware of the hardships endured by other societies through this symbolic walk, and I will definitely be returning next year," said Abdulrahman Al Serkal.
Another walker, Kate Lysenko, said: "I attended Dubai Cares Walk for Education with my company and I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people. It was very fun and exciting to be part of."
There were plenty of post-walk activities for children, including face painting, a games arcade and a bouncy castle, as well as entertainment provided by the aptly named drumming group, Dubai Drums.
"Our Walk for Education is a show of solidarity with those children who are fighting the odds to gain an education and to make a difference in their future, as well as that of their family, community and country," said Tariq Al Gurg, Dubai Cares chief executive.
"The Walk for Education brings the UAE together for a powerful community event - we always have families, children, multinational and local corporates participating in our walk, creating a truly unique and rich atmosphere."
Mr Al Gurg said that this was Dubai Cares' second community initiative in two months this year, after the Rebuild Palestine Start with Education campaign last month.
During the January campaign, 50,000 school bags packed with educational essentials were sent to Palestinian children at United Nations Relief and Works Agency schools in Gaza.
Dubai Cares implements primary education programmes in 35 developing countries.
"In every country we work in, we are faced with a range of challenges - from infrastructural to cultural, which prevent children from receiving good quality primary education," said Mr Al Gurg.
"However, we also witness an overwhelming enthusiasm among children and adults for learning. They understand the power of education to transform lives and nations. Through the solidarity and awareness raised from Walk for Education, we are helping those children and adults achieve their aspirations for a better future."
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