The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) and Knowledge Without Borders have launched a new campaign in aid of Syrian refugee children, which will see children in the Emirati-Jordanian Camp receive packages containing gifts and toys.
Set to run during the next Eid Al Adha under the title ‘Gift from the Heart', the campaign forms part of the ‘Read to Syria's Children' initiative launched by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, UAEBBY Patron and Head of the Organising Committee of Knowledge Without Borders (KWB).
U.A.E. citizens and residents are being urged to take part in the campaign and make a difference in refugee children's lives by purchasing a gift that has been selected by refugee children from Hamley's Toys stores at Dubai Mall and City Centre Mirdiff.
The toys were selected by the children in the Emirati-Jordanian Refugee Camp during a visit by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi to the camp two months ago. A delegation from the UAEBBY and Knowledge Without Borders will distribute the gifts to the children during their forthcoming visit to the camp during Eid Al Adha in October.
Sheikha Bodour inaugurated the initiative by opening a children's library and organising the first series of workshops on reading therapy for teachers and parents, as well as a number of reading sessions and entertaining and cultural activities. The focus was placed on books as a cornerstone of activities, as Sheikha Bodour strongly believes that reading helps children to see different beautiful things, think differently, and will open minds towards a better future after the crisis is over.
People wishing to contribute to the campaign may visit Hamley's Stores from 1st to 31st of August and select the gift they wish to donate to Emirati- Jordanian Children Camp and those wishing to contribute may post their photos with the gifts they donate to the Syrian children via the hash tag #read_for_Syria_children #Hamleys or at various social networking sites.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's visit to the Emirati-Jordanian camp and launch of Read to Syria's Children were in support of the Big Heart Campaign for Syrian Refugees launched by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children to support Syrian refugee children.
The campaign aims to support Syrian refugee children affected by the crisis in Syria, ease their suffering and give them and their families hopes of a better future. The visit received wide international recognition, particularly from international organisations concerned with children, refugees, and reading promotion.
Source: WAM