Over 400 Multinational Volunteers Help Dubai Cares Prepare Donation Boxes in Reading Nation Campaign

More than 80,000 Books Sorted for Distribution to Campaign’s Beneficiaries

Dubai, UAE, June 26, 2016:   On the occasion of Zayed Humanitarian Day, Dubai Cares, the organization mandated to lead the Reading Nation Campaign, sorted more than 80,000 books and prepared over 600 boxes for distribution to the campaign’s beneficiaries, collected from more than 500 schools in UAE. 

Held at Al Boom Tourist Village in Dubai, the eventful day witnessed the participation of Her Excellency Jamila bint Salem Al Muhairi, UAE Minister of State for Public Education, in addition to officials from the Ministry of Education and more than 400 multinational volunteers from across the UAE aged between 10 and 60 years. Working in morning and afternoon shifts, the volunteers sorted the books according to their language, scientific and literary content, and target age groups. 

Ahead of the sorting and preparation process, Dubai Cares had distributed special boxes to over 500 schools in the UAE in early June. The boxes were used to collect the books donated by students and place the tags in which students had written personalized messages to beneficiary children. 

With the completion of the sorting and packing process, Dubai Cares has announced that the shipping and distribution of books will be conducted in cooperation with various government entities that are responsible for implementing the Reading Nation campaign, as directed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 

Commenting on these efforts, Her Excellency Jamila bint Salem Al Muhairi said: “Today we remember the great heritage, wisdom and generosity of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who was, and still is, a teacher and a role model to all of us. Citizens and residents of the UAE are continuing today the legacy of a wise man whose charitable works and initiatives had transcended borders to include Arab and Muslim countries as well as other developing countries.” 

She added: “The Ministry of Education cooperates with Dubai Cares in engaging the youth in the campaign that was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. We encouraged students to donate used books to express their support of their student counterparts in the Arab and Islamic world who are living extremely tough conditions and are often deprived of education and knowledge.” 

“The remarkable response from multination volunteers towards this campaign and their valuable support is just another proof of the charitable spirit that our founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had inspired in young generations.”  

"We have successfully completed preparing the boxes that reflect our aspiration in the UAE to spread knowledge, love and tolerance across the globe. We are pleased with the outcomes of our collaboration with Dubai Cares as this partnership has provided tangible support to the Reading Nation Ramadan campaign,” she concluded.

For his part, His Excellency Tareq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares said: "The Zayed Humanitarian Day witnessed wide participation from volunteers. This is a special day in which we remember the accomplishments of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, an inspiring leader whose humanitarian initiatives spread globally. The great charitable contributions that are offered today by UAE citizens and residents are just another outcome of the country’s 45-year-old journey of tolerance and coexistence that was started with Sheikh Zayed and is continued today by our wise leadership.” 

He added: "Dubai Cares has recruited a large number of volunteers throughout the campaign's period, which reflects the positive spirit and passion for charity among citizens and residents of the UAE. Our volunteers have worked long hours to promote and spread awareness about the campaign. They have also encouraged students and visitors in schools and malls to donate to the campaign. 

"The Reading Nation campaign is a turning point for the UAE’s humanitarian initiatives. It has focused on spreading knowledge and providing next generations with the necessary education to help enlighten the youth and avoid the wars and conflicts we see today in many countries. Thanks to its progressive agenda, its visionary leadership, and its remarkable achievements in such a short time, the UAE has set an example for providing advanced strategic solutions to help refugees and children worldwide.”  

The Reading Nation campaign is one of the UAE’s humanitarian initiatives that was launched during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Previous campaigns achieved their targets by providing shelter, food and water to millions of needy people across the globe.