FUJAIRAH // Some children do it to relieve the boredom of a long summer, for some it is a chance to learn something new and some just come along for the snacks.
There are many and varied reasons why youngsters have been flocking to Fujairah Social Development Centre’s summer programme this year, which kicked off at the start of the month.
The month-long scheme hopes to bring out children’s hidden talents and to spread the concept of volunteer work and social responsibility, while also increasing their productivity during their free time.
The programme includes workshops, recreational, educational and sports activities to motivate and develop nearly 100 school pupils in Fujairah over the summer break.
“I like to spend my time here other than sitting at home doing nothing,” said 12-year-old Hamad Saeed.
“Karate is my favourite sport and I didn’t miss any classes since the beginning of the programme,” he said.
For his younger brother though, the motivation was slightly different.
“I enjoy karate but I enjoy the snacks break more. I wish that the summer vacation will never end,” said Rashed, 8.
“I liked the class where they taught us how to make our own accessories and I learnt a lot from the cooking classes,” said Ashwaq Ramadan, 12, who was also enjoying the edible element of the scheme.
“Recycling is also great but I’m looking forward to the chocolate class next week; they will teach us how to make it and that will be fantastic.”
Issa Ali, 9, who has enjoyed meeting new people through the programme, said: “I wake up every day so excited to come here.
“I have lots of friends now and I enjoy spending the time with them, playing and learning. I liked all the classes and I hope to join the programme next year too.”
Muhra Ali, despite being only six years old, has already learnt to make her own accessories.
“Isn’t that cool?” she said. “I liked the Holy Quran classes and I’m so happy that they will take us tomorrow to Mall of the Emirates, we will have lots of fun.”
For those helping to run the programme, it has also proved to be a worthwhile experience.
“This is the first time I have participated as a volunteer in a programme,” said 17-year-old Halima Abdullah, who has been helping out.
“I enjoy dealing with kids and I feel so satisfied by being very useful to my community. Today I’m teaching them how to recycle a corn flakes pack by creating a beautiful bag out of it,” she said.
Ahlam Al Ali, director of the Fujairah Social Development Centre, said: “This initiative is under the patronage of the Minister of Social Affairs and it reinforces young people to take responsibility and voluntary social participation, helping them in expanding their energy in a positive manner and strengthen the spirit of national belonging and traditions.
“The summer programme keeps kids and students busy with something useful during summer time. It is a great opportunity for them to obtain new skills and increase their knowledge in various aspects, such as recycling, cooking, traditional handicrafts, painting, sports and much more.”
Ms Al Ali said that the programme was also about helping children to discover where their talents lay, as well as involving them in volunteer work, such as distributing gifts for orphans or food for people in need.
“Such initiatives will lead them into making a difference in their own community and be productive,” she said.
The programme is sponsored by the Emirates Red Crescent in Fujairah, which is also providing computer courses, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the Artisans Centre and the Juvenile Awareness and Care Association in Fujairah, which is providing the programme supervisors.
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THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
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Long term
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Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
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A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Five hymns the crowds can join in
Papal Mass will begin at 10.30am at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on Tuesday
Some 17 hymns will be sung by a 120-strong UAE choir
Five hymns will be rehearsed with crowds on Tuesday morning before the Pope arrives at stadium
‘Christ be our Light’ as the entrance song
‘All that I am’ for the offertory or during the symbolic offering of gifts at the altar
‘Make me a Channel of your Peace’ and ‘Soul of my Saviour’ for the communion
‘Tell out my Soul’ as the final hymn after the blessings from the Pope
The choir will also sing the hymn ‘Legions of Heaven’ in Arabic as ‘Assakiroo Sama’
There are 15 Arabic speakers from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan in the choir that comprises residents from the Philippines, India, France, Italy, America, Netherlands, Armenia and Indonesia
The choir will be accompanied by a brass ensemble and an organ
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About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
