100 community volunteers give school a makeover in Dubai

More than 100 volunteers pitched in to give a school in Dubai a makeover – including assembling over 1000 desks.

They also renovated the library at the National Charity School in Al Garhoud with new educational resources, replaced existing blackboards with white boards and constructed a shade roof-top.

Following two successful school refurbishment projects earlier this year, Dubai Cares organised the third edition of Volunteer Emirates 2014 on November 1.

Volunteer Emirates is part of a series of local initiatives by the philanthropic organisation that offers United Arab Emirates residents the opportunity to give back to their community.

Sponsored by Al Tayer Group, the event attracted residents and corporate volunteers. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares, said community outreach reflected the organisation’s mission to give children access to quality education.

He added: “One of the points we focus on during the course of our work in beneficiary countries in the developing world is the creation of a conducive learning environment. Increasing access to education also involves developing a stress-free and resource-rich environment that stimulates students to think, learn and query.

“The work that the volunteers have carried out today contributes significantly to the overall learning experience of the children enrolled here at the National Charity School in Dubai. It is a matter of great pride for us to be able to smarten up the ambience of this school, whilst providing the residents of Dubai a window to the activities we undertake on their behalf, in developing countries around the globe.”

The National Charity School aims to ensure quality education for boys and girls from Grade 1 to Grade 12, aged five to 17 years, irrespective of their social or economic status.

The first edition of Volunteer Emirates 2014 was held in May when 100 volunteers upgraded the premises and enhanced the learning environment of Al Bustan School, the Ras Al Khaimah-based boys-only school. The second edition was sponsored by DEWA, bringing together 130 volunteers at the Gulf Model School in Dubai to improve the 32-year old school premises.

The fourth and final edition will be on December 13. UAE residents interested in participating can register online here.