Dubai — Seeking to touch the lives of millions of children in refugee camps and schools around the world, the ‘Reading Nation' Ramadan campaign launched by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has got a rousing start across the UAE. Setting an ambitious target to distribute five million books to students in need during the holy month of Ramadan, the Reading Nation Ramadan campaign has flagged off an Open Week of activities in more than 800 schools across the UAE inviting students to contribute books to needy students and children in refugee camps worldwide. The week's activities to encourage book donations and promote reading will run until June 16, 2016. Organized under the management and supervision of Dubai Cares in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi Education Council, and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai, the Open Week initiative seeks to reinforce a culture of giving among students through encouraging them to make a difference in the lives of their less-privileged counterparts. Dubai Cares is providing participating schools with donation boxes to collect the books and support the campaign's efforts of providing knowledge resources to refugee children as well as to establish more than 2,000 school libraries around the world. In addition, the campaign is also mandated to support the educational programs implemented by UAE-based humanitarian organizations around the world. Besides their donations, students are also given the opportunity to send dedications to the beneficiaries of the campaign on specially created stickers that will accompany the books. Speaking on the progress of the campaign, Michael Guzder, Executive Principal of The Millennium School, Dubai and Vice President of Indian Schools – GEMS, said: "It is our privilege to support the Reading Nation Ramadan campaign launched under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. At The Millennium School, the practice of reading is inculcated from the very early stages and is promoted throughout the school years. This campaign gives us the unique opportunity to spread knowledge to places where we cannot ourselves go and ignite a passion for reading and learning – essential steps in the journey of life." Rachel Higgins, Vice Principal of GEMS Jumeirah Primary School, added: "The families of our school students are delighted with the latest Reading Nation initiative, and look forward to supporting children worldwide in their love of reading." According to a senior student at Dubai's Ambassador School, the Reading Nation Ramadan campaign offers a means to pass on the life-changing impact of reading. The student said: "Reading has opened up a whole new world of opportunity and learning for me. I am keen to do my bit make a difference in the lives of my less fortunate brothers and sisters across the world." To promote reading among its students, the school has also established initiatives such as reading corners in classrooms, the ‘Drop Everything and Read' (DEAR) project, and a Reader's Cup championship. Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares said: "The response has been overwhelming. It is amazing to see the participation of parents who join their children in donating books and in activities such as reading stories and poetry and in raising awareness of the challenges and difficult circumstances children are facing in other parts of the world. It is a truly heart-warming experience and reinforces the human ties that link us with people everywhere - regardless of the differences in the color of our skin or in our thinking." Another student said: "I heard about the campaign via social media and was thrilled to know that my school was organizing activities to support this campaign. I am proud to be part of this humanitarian activity because I know first-hand just how important reading is for my future. I am glad that the books I donated will be useful to less privileged children and have a lasting impact on their lives and future." Speaking on the role of parents and family in conveying the message of solidarity, a father of three, said: "Since the campaign started I have wanted to involve my kids in it. The engagement of schools is a great way to encourage students to do something worthwhile and instill the values of helping those in need - especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Through organizing activities centered around the campaign, schools allow us to contribute towards changing the lives of thousands of children for the better." He urged the parent community in the UAE to actively participate in the Reading Nation Ramadan campaign along with their children to further inspire them to become change agents that positively transform the lives of needy families. Given the fact that more than 10,000 schools in the Arab world do not have school libraries and millions of refugee children do not have access to adequate education or books, there is a need for urgent intervention to provide them with an opportunity to learn. Towards this priority, the Reading Nation Ramadan campaign aims to distribute two million books to children and students in refugee camps, and use another two million books to create 2,000 libraries in schools in need around the world. The remaining books will be available to support educational programs of the UAE's humanitarian organizations working abroad. The campaign will continue until the 19th day of Ramadan that coincides with Zayed Humanitarian Day.
