DUBAI // Visitors to Dubai Mall can now help needy children get an education by donating to an international project while they shop.
Dubai Cares's "End Poverty. Educate Now" campaign, which will run throughout Ramadan, aims to help children out of poverty in developing countries by providing them with schooling.
Shoppers can donate at participating stores in the mall by adding Dh5 or more to the cost of their purchase.
The charity will also stage presentations at Dubai Mall showing where the money will be spent.
"It's not enough just to build schools and have teachers," said Tariq Al Gurg, chief executive of Dubai Cares. "You need to make sure the teachers are properly trained otherwise the child will go to school but not learn anything."
The charity does not have a set target of how much money it hopes to raise during Ramadan, but the not-for-profit organisation is hopeful of a good response from the public.
"Our campaign aims to garner the support of the UAE community to improve the lives of underprivileged children globally and help further reduce the number of out-of-school children, which according to Unesco stands at 57 million," Mr Al Gurg said.
According to Unesco, education plays a vital role in reducing poverty, with one extra year of schooling increasing an individual's earnings by up to 10 per cent.
Studies have shown that better educated people have a greater chance of being employed and are economically more productive.
Dubai Cares works with non-governmental organisations and the United Nations in about 31 countries, helping 8 million children.
Each country has its own unique issues, so aid projects must be tailored to their requirements.
"It takes us about three to six months to get all the information and then we devise a plan for that particular county based on its needs," said Yousuf Luiz Caires, the charity's deputy director of strategy and planning.
People can also donate vis SMS by sending the word 'donation' to 9030, 9090, 9300, 9600 and 9900 to donate Dh30, Dh90, Dh300, Dh600 or Dh900 respectively.
Dubai Cares will have a stand at the Star Atrium in Dubai Mall to help shoppers learn more about the charity.
Donations can also be made online at www.dubaicares.ae or at donation boxes across the emirate.
