Six thousand schoolchildren from low-income families to receive school supplies

Some 200 volunteers took part in an initiative organised by Dubai Cares to assemble backpacks filled with essential school supplies.

Some 200 volunteers helped assemble 6,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for children from low-income families. Wam

Thousands of schoolchildren from low-income families in Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah will be given backpacks containing essential school supplies.

Two-hundred volunteers took part in Volunteer Emirates — organised by Dubai Cares — to assemble and handover 6,000 backpacks to Al Ihsan Charity Association, which will distribute them among the schoolchildren.

"Instilling the spirit of volunteering within the community is a pivotal aspect of Dubai Cares’ work, and the success of this and previous editions of Volunteer Emirates demonstrates how the people of the UAE respond and commit to helping those less fortunate,” said Tariq Al Gurg, chief executive of Dubai Cares.

“The volunteers have helped ensure that students from the low-income families are fully equipped to learn, discover and thrive."

Ahmed Sofa Al Zaabi, director of Al Ihsan Charity Association, said the school supplies would be distributed to pupils of all nationalities and from kindergarten to Grade 12.

“It is inspiring to see so many different members of the UAE community share the same belief and spirit, and witness how they give their time so generously to support both this initiative and the UAE’s Year of Giving 2017," he said.

Shekhar Sawant a volunteer from India, described his experience as "humbling and heart-warming.”

"It is important for all of us to look beyond our own lives, issues, and concerns, and realise that there are people who are not as fortunate. Through our commitment and the new school supplies, we hope the students will get a good start to the academic year."