DUBAI // More than 1,000 students, teachers and volunteers on Thursday packed books, pencils, pens, calculators and geometry kits into school bags for 50,000 Palestinians as part of a drive to provide basic supplies to children affected by Israel’s bombing of Gaza last summer.
“Rebuild Palestine. Start with Education”, a four-day initiative by Dubai Cares, will reach Palestinian children scarred by Israel’s 50-day war on Gaza.
“If we don’t help them then who will help them?” said Qusai Al Kiswany, 13, a Grade 8 pupil at Dubai Carmel School.
“It’s important that children study even if there are no buildings, and we want to help the children, help rebuild Palestine and make it safer.”
Qusai was among student and corporate volunteers who stood in long queues to reach tables stacked with piles of stationery that was then packed into black school bags.
Organisers have called for community participation in the charity drive at Al Boom Tourist Village near Dubai Creek.
“All we need is more people to come from within the community,” said Tariq Al Gurg, chief executive of Dubai Cares.
“Over the next few days we have to put together bags for 50,000 kids, so we need more people. Palestinians, Jordanians and Egyptians were the first ones to come to our country to give us education. I got education from all those three nationalities.
“So today when the country is going through turmoil, we have to give back to those people. How can I forget the face of the teacher who gave me education?”
Last October Dubai Cares undertook a Dh11 million scheme to build a school in Gaza, along with plans to include counselling for children mentally and physically traumatised by the bombings.
More than 2,000 Palestinians died and nearly 6,000 homes were damaged or destroyed in the seven-week Israeli onslaught last summer.
About 138 schools were bombed, 1,500 young people were orphaned, and 373,000 children need psychosocial support, according to the United Nations.
“Families took shelter in what is left of schools since they lost their homes, so students are being taught in streets, outside clinics, anywhere,” said Samir Hadi, chairman of the Palestinian Business Council.
“This initiative will put a smile on the faces of children. Before the war these people had homes and schools.
“Out of nowhere they have no shelter, no water, no electricity. Children are affected immediately because they have seen death. The psychological treatment will help them to not think of bloodshed and killing.”
Issam Masalha, charge d’affaire of the Palestinian embassy, said the initiative would aid students and teachers.
“There is a light of optimism,” he said. “Students are being taught in two to three shifts because there is no space.
“The UAE is not just providing children with bags but will also train our teachers to counsel the students.”
The appeal also attracted residents from Ajman and Sharjah.
“We saw the message on Facebook, so we came to help,” said Mariam Nizam, 24, an information technology graduate from Sharjah, who was accompanied by her younger sister Iqra.
“Things are very bad in my country Pakistan so we know what they are facing. Every child should get an education, even in bad times.”
Mansi Raval, 12, volunteered along with 20 students from Our Own English School.
“I feel that the children in Palestine will be happy when they see these bags,” she said.
“Even if it’s something small we are doing, it’s important for children who don’t have anything.”
There were also 130 children from The Kindergarten Starters, aged between eight and nine years, who helped. “They will pass the message back to their family and friends about this effort,” said Geoffrey Blaqiuere, a teacher.
“We teach in class but coming here gives them a sense of responsibility and involvement, and builds perspective and a sense of community consciousness.”
Members of the public can join the charity drive each day until Sunday, from 10am to 6pm, at Al Boom Tourist Village near Dubai Creek Park.
rtalwar@thenational.ae
