Khaleej Times

Orphans skate their way to happiness

- Staff Reporter

abu dhabi — Young orphans got their first skating lessons on a special day out as part of the UAE’s Year of Giving. The day out saw the children visit the martyrs’ memorial Wahat Al Karama and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, before taking a trip to the ice rink at Zayed Sports City. There, they enjoyed lessons from the stars of Masha and the Bear on Ice.

Many of the children took to the ice to skate and pose for photos with the cast of Masha and the Bear on Ice, who were in the city to perform a series of shows as part of this year’s month-long Abu Dhabi Summer Season (ADSS) extravagan­za.

Saif Saeed Ghobash, directorge­neral, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA-Abu Dhabi), said: “We are committed to helping communitie­s and charities and this is one of a series of our Year of Giving corporate social responsibi­lity initiative­s undertaken by the authority throughout the year to contribute to societal developmen­t and benefit others.

“Abu Dhabi Summer Season provides us with a perfect platform to allow those less privileged to be part of the entertainm­ent taking place across the emirate during the month of festivitie­s,” he added.

We thank the TCA-Abu Dhabi for this patriotic humanitari­an initiative in the spirit of the ‘Year of Giving’ that has introduced the orphans in AMAF’s care to the beautiful sights of Abu Dhabi.” Tayeb Al Rais, secretary-general, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation

Earlier this month, TCA-Abu Dhabi also arranged for the cast of Tom and Jerry to visit sick children at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and distribute presents ahead of their summer season debut.

Tayeb Al Rais, secretary-general, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) in Dubai, said: “We thank the TCA-Abu Dhabi for this patriotic humanitari­an initiative in the spirit of the ‘Year of Giving’ that has introduced the orphans in AMAF’s care to the beautiful sights of Abu Dhabi.

“Apart from bringing the children joy and happiness, the trip will go a long way towards strengthen­ing their loyalty and sense of belonging to their country, and boosting their pride in the achievemen­ts of our wise leadership.”

reporters@khaleejtim­es.com

 ??  ?? Orphans with the cast of Masha and the Bear on Ice at the ice rink in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. — Supplied photo
Orphans with the cast of Masha and the Bear on Ice at the ice rink in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. — Supplied photo

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