ABU DHABI // Hundreds of children took part in a one kilometre walk along the capital’s waterfront on Tuesday to promote health and well-being.
Organised by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad) as part of the Healthy Children 2021 campaign, the first Abu Dhabi Corniche Walk saw pupils and college students step out to get some early exercise before the heat of the day.
“This is a national programme and all emirates are contributing,” said Dr Jamal Al Naqbi, manager of community health and surveillance at Haad.
“This is the first time that we have launched such a walk for promoting physical activity but we participate in many walks all year round.
“Our message to the community is, let us walk together at the Corniche and at other places. You can enjoy your life while including more physical activity.”
Haad is working to promote the benefits of regular physical activity and a healthy diet as a way to combat rising levels of childhood obesity and diabetes in the UAE.
Data from the International Diabetes Federation to mark World Diabetes Day in November showed there were 803,900 diabetics in the UAE – about 19 per cent of the population.
Staff and pupils from private and government schools from across the emirate turned up for the walk, Dr Naqbi said.
“Schools were very supportive of the idea. There will be many more events like this,” he said.
Mona Youssef, who teaches art at Al Dhabiania Private School, Al Mushrif, took part with 38 students, aged nine to 11.
“The girls are so excited about this event.
“We encourage the students to go out and walk, and include activities in the school as well. If they are involved in sports now, they may grow up to enjoy physical activity and know how important it is.
“This is crucial now, as more and more children are becoming obese or have diabetes.”
Mariam Humaid, 11, a student in Grade 4, was excited to be on the Corniche on a school day with her friends.
“I do like walking and I am happy to be here, though I come here often with my family,” she said.
Marwa Al Marzooqi, 9, also in Grade 4 at Al Dhabiania, said if she had to pick her favourite physical activity it would be dancing, but she was enjoying the walk.
Adiba Mukhallalati, an English teacher at Al Bashair School in Mussaffah, accompanied a group of 35 fifth grade students.
“They are very happy to be here and are driving the camera person crazy,” she said.
“It is really hot today and I am worried about them being out in the sun for so long.”
But she said: “This kind of activity makes children work as a team, and they communicate and collaborate with each other, which is very important.”
Fatima Naim, an 18-year-old student at Abu Dhabi University, volunteered for the event. She used to eat junk food as a child and only now fully understands the significance of taking care of her health.
“The children are learning at a young age the importance of eating right and exercising,” she said.
Another volunteer, Farah Sulaiman, said the pupils were happy to be out of school, even though it was a hot morning.
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
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Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
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