More than 4,000 devices have been distributed to low-income families in Abu Dhabi so children can continue e-learning while schools are closed.
The 'Together We Are Good' initiative was launched in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge in April to support families struggling financially due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As part of the programme, a public fund worth tens of millions of dirhams was set up to help parents who have seen wages cut or jobs lost. It also extends to cash for food and help with rent, if needed.
Since it launched, thousands of laptops and tablets have been distributed among families by 24 government bodies, as part of a collaboration between the Authority of Social Contribution, Maan, and Abu Dhabi Digital Authority.
Ayna Chembai, a grade 4 pupil at The Model School, was among the first to benefit, having received a laptop.
“I am extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed and I am very excited to be using this laptop every day for my school work.”
Her father, Shajir, praised the programme for making a big difference to his daughter’s education.
“By the time I had applied, we received the laptop within 15 days. It was very difficult for my daughter to learn online before but this has made it much easier,” he said.
“Many people have had problems during these times with people losing their jobs or having their salaries reduced and contributions like these are a big help.”
Together We Are Good is the first project to be realised as part of Maan’s social fund that invites community contributions to help tackle social challenges.
Eliza Thomas, a grade 11 pupil at The New Model School, said the scheme had helped reduce the pressure on her as she prepares for exams.
“I will be sitting my exams soon, which is an important time for students and receiving a laptop that I can use to study every day will help me a lot,” she said.
“I am really thankful to Maan as they are helping a lot of people who are in need.”
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
WORLD RECORD FEES FOR GOALKEEPERS
1) Kepa Arrizabalaga, Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea (£72m)
2) Alisson, Roma to Liverpool (£67m)
3) Ederson, Benfica to Manchester City (£35m)
4) Gianluigi Buffon, Parma to Juventus (£33m)
5) Angelo Peruzzi, Inter Milan to Lazio (£15.7m
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
