GEMS students raise AED 1.8 million to improve lives of underprivileged children around the region

Sunny Varkey, Chairman of GEMS Education, said the participating GEMS students are a credit to their schools, their families and to the UAE. 'The spirit of compassion and caring beyond borders that these students have displayed, prove just how valuable they will be to the world of the future,' he said. 'Education is not just about broadening the mind, but developing a healthy social consciousness, and these students have shown us the way to do both.'

The fruits of GEMS 'Children for Children' initiative were distributed to aid agencies and support groups yesterday in a special event at Wellington International School attended by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who presented the donation cheques on behalf of the GEMS students.

The receiving charities, a mix of UAE-based and international NGOs with local representation, include the Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs, Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Dubai Centre for Special Needs and branches of the Red Crescent Society in Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain.

Hugh MacPherson, Chief Operating Officer of GEMS Education, said the initiative had been fully conceptualized, organized and executed by GEMS students, a point of pride for both the GEMS network and its students.

'The 'Children for Children' initiative is a fine opportunity for our students to give full rein to their creativity and innovation for a noble and worthy goal,' MacPherson said. 'As such, this is a perfect embodiment of GEMS core values of world citizenship and universal values, combined with quality education.'

Between October 2005 and April 2006, students participating in the 'Children for Children' initiative put together a series of 26 events including musical evenings, fun bazaars, art exhibitions, performances and carnivals in an attempt to collect as many donations as possible, he added.

'Initiatives like 'Children for Children' prepare our students for real-life opportunities of community work and fundraising while building their character from the inside out,' MacPherson said. 'These are the qualities we want to grow in the generations of tomorrow: to feel the need of other less fortunate people and extend themselves into reaching out and caring for them.'

Now a GEMS tradition, this is the third 'Children for Children' event. To date, GEMS students have raised over AED 4.3 million through the 'Children for Children' program. Following the initiative's tremendous success, GEMS Education has committed to holding it every two years for the personal growth of its students and for the benefit of the underprivileged children in the region, he said.