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Tuesday, November 24 - 2009

HSBC launches regional environment awareness campaign in primary schools

  • United Arab Emirates: Sunday, October 26 - 2008 at 14:52
  • PRESS RELEASE

As part of HSBC's sustainability commitments, the bank today announced the launch of their latest environmental awareness campaign targeted at primary school students across the Middle East.

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  • Hassan Al Khafajy, HSBC programme volunteer reads Omar's Goats to students.
    Hassan Al Khafajy, HSBC programme volunteer reads Omar's Goats to students.
Omar's Goats, a children's environmental educational book by author Kathy Hoopmann and illustrator Donna Acheson-Julliet has been developed in conjunction with HSBC for this initiative. The book is published by Dubai based publisher, Jerboa Books.

The programme will see over 900 HSBC employee volunteers conducting a series of story time sessions for children across 150 regional schools in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq and Pakistan. The innovative and interactive approach has been developed to engage students from 3-8 years in the subject matter.

The book comes with a useful teacher's handbook which gives factual information about environmental issues and includes class work suggestions, a section encouraging parents to get involved, plus activity sheets for students.

In the UAE, the book has been launched in partnership with the Ministry of Education in the 18 Madares Al Ghad elementary schools, part of the Ministry of Education's school reform project across the Emirates.

Dr. Fouzia Badri, CEO of Educational Affairs, said:
"We welcome this opportunity to be part of this important initiative with HSBC. The Madares Al Ghad programme is seeking to develop new initiatives in the areas of both storytelling and environmental awareness."


Available in English and Arabic, Omar's Goats, the story uses local characters and native animals to enable teachers and students to learn about simple solutions to protect the environment and responsibly enjoy the outdoors.

Speaking at the launch, Kaltham Al Koheji, Chairperson, HSBC in the Community Middle East Foundation said:
"Our regional team has put great effort into making this programme a success and we hope that the initiative will contribute to a new generation of environmentally friendly citizens."


Kathy Hoopen, the Auther, said:
"I've always been drawn to children's books. I was surprised to find that there were very few that told tales of local animals in the region. Essentially the moral of the story is to show that each child can make a difference. If we encourage our children to recycle from a young age, the impact on the environment can be a powerful thing."
Also consider reading:
Log in to request more information from HSBC Bank Middle East

Notes and media contacts

About HSBC Bank Middle East Limited:
HSBC is the largest and most widely represented international bank in the Middle East. HSBC Bank Middle East Limited has 37 branches throughout the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon and the Palestinian Autonomous Area. In addition to the branch network the Bank maintains representative offices in Tehran, Iran and Tripoli, Libya. This extensive regional coverage is strengthened by another member of the HSBC Group, HSBC Bank Egypt SAE, and by its associated companies, The Saudi British Bank, British Arab Commercial Bank Limited, and HSBC Saudi Arabia Limited.


About the project:
The project is funded by the HSBC in the Community Middle East Foundation is a charitable and community initiative, funding educational, environmental and community projects and activities across the region. The formation of the Foundation underlines the Bank's long association with the region and its continued commitment to the Middle East.

The Madares Al Ghad program was created by His Excellency Dr. Hanif Hassan, Minister of Education, UAE. His vision for the program is to create in the UAE a world-class public education system that will not only serve the Emirati children, but will also become the model for public education throughout the Middle East.
The Madares Al Ghad program features:
• International best practice in educational methods and techniques,
• Professional development for teachers and administrators,
• Innovative curricula that combines international best practice with regional sensitivity and cultural practices.
• Forward-looking school facilities that support student-centered, active learning experiences,
• Classrooms rich in the use of technology to enhance learning, and
• Educational links with other educational institutions worldwide.

The book is available at Magrudys bookstores in the UAE.

For further information, kindly contact:
Andrea JAISHANKAR
Manager - Regional Communications
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Emaar Square, Opp Al Murooj Rotana Hotel
Building No 5, Level 6, Dubai, UAE
Tel:+971 04-4235635
Fax:+971 04-4267372

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