GEMS students raise Dhs4m for Dubai Cares

Students from GEMS presented the cheque to His Highness Sheikh Mayid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, during a ceremony held at the Dubai American Academy today.

Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman of GEMS said that he is in awe of the efforts made by students to raise valuable funds to support the alleviation of poverty that has plagued poor and developing countries by providing proper education.

'The student's enthusiasm has been an inspiration for all and I thank them wholeheartedly, as I do their parents and teachers for the support they have shown for the Dubai cares campaign,' he said.

'We have been amazed by the creativity of each school in developing different ways to raise these funds in under six weeks. I do believe that they have had a lot of fun along the way, while also learning important lessons.'

Examples of the students' fundraising include 'Chores for Change', an initiative by the Jumeirah Primary School involving students doing chores at home for a donation, while Royal Dubai School gave students the opportunity to become teachers for half and hour through an auction.

Anne Mcphee, Senior Director of school operations, GEMS added, 'This is an enormous accomplishment that demonstrates the big heart of our students and how much they care about their peers in other countries who are less fortunate than themselves - this is all part of the GEMS ethos of World Citizenship and Universal Values.'