Dubai Cares Mystery Readers pay surprise visit to schools as part of Million Book Challenge

Dubai Cares has recruited prominent members of the community to visit schools throughout the UAE to read a favourite children's story and encourage students to keep reading so they can reach the one million-book mark by 16 November.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Chairperson of Dubai Cares Board of Directors, said:

"The Mystery Reader is Dubai Cares' way of creating excitement among the nation's youth and reminding them that reading is fun - a habit that we hope children will retain even after the Million Book Challenge has concluded. The response so far has been overwhelming. Parents and schools have been calling to tell us how kids have essentially adopted reading as their own hobby or past time."

The Million Book Challenge invites all students aged 3-14 years to collectively read 1,000,000 books in two weeks. For each book read, Dubai Cares will purchase and donate a book in the local language to needy children around the world. The distribution of books will be managed by global organization Room to Read, and by Arab NGOs for the region.

"The Million Book Challenge is truly a great way to encourage children to read and to celebrate the gift of reading and learning - a gift that children will have with them now and throughout their lives. Reading not only exercised my imagination but it taught me of the endless possibilities we have at our disposal to turn our ideas into reality. This should encourage children to pursue their dreams as it encouraged me to do the same,"

said Harib.

Stacked atop one another, one million books is, conservatively, four kilometres high, which is five times the height of Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world. Each evening, Dubai Cares beams the total number of books read on Burj Dubai, which is being used as a visual thermometer, to mark the campaign's progress towards its goal. Currently, the total number of books read stands at 640,688.

The Million Book Challenge is part of Dubai Cares' greater effort to foster a reading culture among students here and throughout the region, aiming to nourish children's creativity and trigger their thirst for knowledge.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Cares launched its Volunteer Campaign in line with the charitable establishment's continuous commitment to philanthropic values.

Residents and visitors in the UAE can also contribute to strengthening literacy around the world by sponsoring a book for AED10 each by calling 800 DXB CARES or at participating bookstores.

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