Students read 1,311 books in less than 2 hours

Dubai: 6 November, 2008 - Students and teachers participated in a Reading Marathon organized by Mirdif Private School today in support of the Million Book Challenge, launched earlier this week by Dubai Cares, a charitable establishment that aims to provide access to quality primary education in developing countries.

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Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Chairperson of Dubai Cares Board of Directors, said: “The response to Dubai Cares’ Volunteer Campaign from students and schools has been overwhelming. Seeing the students answer the call of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed with such energy is a statement to their thirst for knowledge and their commitment to actively helping the needy around the world.”

The school’s Reading Marathon set out to read 1,000 books during two periods from 8:00am to 9:45 am which was followed by a program of fun activities.

Randa Ghandour, Principal at Mirdif Private School, was thrilled with her students’ success this morning with their reading challenge. “Our students exceeded the 1,000 book target and actually read 1,311 books, meaning each student read 8 books in less than 2 hours.”

Students were requested to leave their school bags home and, instead, bring a story or two to swap with classmates. To make things exciting, a contest for “Best Dressed” and “Best Costume” was held for the students who were asked to wear any shade of red, sports clothing or fancy attire.

The Million Book Challenge invites school students from the ages of 3-14 years to collectively read 1,000,000 books in two weeks. Each evening, Dubai Cares will beam the total number of books read on Burj Dubai to mark the campaign’s progress towards its goal.

For each book read, Dubai Cares will purchase a book and donate it to children in need in their local language. The distribution of books will be managed by global organization Room to Read (www.roomtoread.org) and, for books in the Arab world, Arab NGO’s. The books will be donated to children around the world who do not currently have access to books.

Dubai Cares also offers invites residents and visitors in the UAE an opportunity to strengthen literacy in developing countries by sponsoring a book for AED10 each. The books will be donated to children around the world who do not currently have access to books.

Dubai Cares’ Volunteer Campaign offers diverse volunteer opportunities to attract participation from all levels of the community, focusing on the benefits of volunteering in line with the charitable establishment’s continuous commitment to philanthropic values.

Dubai Cares is now considered the largest charitable establishment, solely devoted to improving primary education around the world. Through partnerships with international aid agencies, Dubai Cares is actively addressing the educational needs of more than four million children around the world.

For more information on this year’s volunteer campaign, please visit www.dubaicares.ae

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