Dubai Cares turns focus on high school students with introduction of web-based, fundraising initiative

The charitable establishment that aims to provide access to quality primary education in developing countries, announced the launch of eCares a web-based community fundraising initiative that gives high school students an opportunity to play the role of a fund raiser as well as a donor to charities that support primary education globally.

eCares includes two phases: Phase I - The Fund Raiser and Phase II - The Donor- and is the latest program introduced by Dubai Cares as part of its Volunteer Campaign, launched in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on 2 November, 2008.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Chairperson of Dubai Cares Board of Directors, said: "In an effort to reach out to every demographic, Dubai Cares' volunteer campaign is offering programs and initiatives that resonate across many segments of the UAE population. eCares is our approach to engage technologically inclined and Web savvy high school students in Dubai."

Her Excellency added:

"This grassroots program demonstrates to students how they can use their unique skills to make a difference by helping humanitarian organizations that share our commitment to improving primary education around the world."

With eCares, Dubai Cares is challenging high school students to use their online research and information gathering skills to identify a unique charity working in the field of education that they personally feel Dubai Cares should support. During the recently completed Phase 1, students created eCares web-based fundraising campaigns that outlined the unique aspects of acharity and illustrated why they feel this charity deserves funding for its cause. Dubai Cares is currently evaluating all submissions and will choose the top campaigns which will be displayed on the eCares website.

In Phase 2, Wednesday 26-30 November, Dubai Cares will allocate 1,000 'Virtual Dirhams' to every high school student in Dubai. Once the students register online, they will be given an opportunity to spend these virtual funds on the eCares campaigns they feel best represent the type of organizations Dubai Cares should support. Once the virtual funding cycle is complete, Dubai Cares will review the web campaigns and fund the top performers with actual Dirhams.

Dubai Cares' Volunteer Campaign offers diverse volunteer opportunities to attract participation from all levels of the community, focusing on the benefits of volunteering in line with the charitable establishment's continuous commitment to philanthropic values.

Now considered the largest charitable establishment solely devoted to improving primary education globally, Dubai Cares is actively addressing the educational needs of more than 4 million children around the world through partnerships with international aid agencies.