Over 14,000 residents walk 3km to raise funds for child education
DUBAI — Around 14,500 residents have joined the 8th annual Walk for Education, organised by Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, to walk in solidarity with millions of children around the world who have limited or no access to education.
Adults as well as children gathered for the popular community event to walk a symbolic 3-km route along Riyadh Road in Dubai to raise funds and heighten awareness around the plight of millions of children who walk an average of three kilometres every day to go to school in developing countries.
This year’s Walk for Education is in line with the UAE’s 2017 ‘Year of Giving’, as decreed by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which aims to foster and strengthen a sense of community engagement and develop the spirit of volunteering and serving the nation by involving all members of the community.
Speaking on the occasion, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares, said: “Once again, we are honoured and humbled by the overwhelming support this initiative has been receiving from members of the UAE community who demonstrated their solidarity with millions of children in the developing countries who face a daily struggle to access a basic right for every child. This year’s Walk for Education, which is in line with Year of Giving, was also an opportunity for residents to reflect upon the benefits of extending a helping hand and making a difference in people’s lives.”
Rizwan Ahmed, executive director of IFFCO Group, the main sponsor of the event said: “Our group believes in investing in the future and we know that our children are our future. The IFFCO Group, along with Dubai Cares and everyone who took part in the walk for education, understands this fact and is committed to providing every deserving child a better access to education. We are proud to be associated with this initiative, which has been growing every year, and would like to wish Dubai Cares the best in this endeavour.”
Speaking on the 2017 successful edition of the Walk for Education, Rana Awad, marketing manager at Dubai Cares, said: “Our partners, sponsors, volunteers, and the government departments that facilitated the event, are absolutely invaluable to the continued success of the Walk for Education. They are an essential part of the story of success of any of our local and international initiatives. The level of support we receive from all corners of the UAE community represents the reason why Dubai Cares is able to extend the scope of its efforts, to reach as many children as possible in developing countries.”
This year, IFFCO is the main sponsor for the Walk for Education 2017 and Chevron Al Khaleej is the sponsor along with an array of partners.
This year’s Walk for Education, which is in line with Year of Giving, was also an opportunity for residents to reflect upon the benefits of extending a helping hand and making a difference in people’s lives.”
Tariq Al Gurg, CEO, Dubai Cares