Kalimat Foundation Launches UAE School Campaign to Boost Children’s Access to Books

Sharjah: Kalimat Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on providing books and educational resources to underserved children, refugees, and visually impaired youth, has initiated a campaign aimed at engaging private school students in reading and humanitarian efforts. The first activation of this campaign took place at Emirates National Schools (ENS) in Sharjah.

The inaugural event featured students from various age groups and sections at ENS organizing a charity bazaar, which successfully raised over Dh40,000. The funds will support Kalimat Foundation’s ‘Pledge a Library’ initiative, designed to deliver curated Arabic libraries to communities with limited access to books. The event was attended by Fudail Al Ahmad, Cluster Manager for Northern Emirates at ENS, alongside teaching and administrative staff.

ENS has committed to ongoing support for Kalimat Foundation’s initiatives across its campuses in the UAE. This partnership aims to enhance children’s access to knowledge while encouraging students to engage in community service and humanitarian activities.

Promoting Responsibility Through Education

Kalimat Foundation emphasizes that schools serve not only as educational institutions but also as environments where students can cultivate a sense of responsibility towards others. The organization aims to connect students with causes that promote reading and support for children in underserved communities through fundraising and volunteer-led activities.

The initial school engagement illustrates the potential impact of student involvement in meaningful humanitarian actions. Contributions that begin as school activities can evolve into libraries for children who lack access to books, thereby broadening their learning opportunities and personal expression.

Amna Al Mazmi, Director of Kalimat Foundation, highlighted the significance of the students’ efforts, stating that their initiative embodies the spirit of the campaign. She noted that the students learned that giving is a deliberate act with far-reaching effects, even for children they may never meet. Al Mazmi expressed gratitude for ENS’s support in fostering a culture of philanthropy among school students in the UAE.

Access to Books as a Fundamental Right

Al Mazmi further asserted that access to books is a fundamental right for every child, regardless of geographic location, economic status, or educational resources. She pointed out that many children have never owned a book or entered a library, emphasizing the need for knowledge resources in their native language to foster confidence and imagination.

Ahmad Al Bastaki, Deputy Director-General of ENS, echoed this sentiment, stating that the school’s role extends beyond academic education to include character building and instilling values of social responsibility. He affirmed the commitment to engaging students in initiatives that promote active participation and a deeper understanding of their potential impact on communities.

Al Bastaki also noted that Kalimat Foundation’s initiative provided students with a vital opportunity to connect with a humanitarian cause related to reading and children’s rights to access books. He expressed pride in the enthusiasm and teamwork displayed during the charity bazaar, which translated their participation into meaningful support for other children.

Expanding Partnerships for Greater Impact

Through this campaign, Kalimat Foundation aims to broaden its network of partnerships with private schools throughout Sharjah and the UAE. The organization encourages educational institutions to adopt initiatives that support reading and connect students with humanitarian efforts. Additionally, the Foundation seeks to enhance the availability of Arabic books for children in need while providing sustainable resources that bolster learning and cultural connections.

Kalimat Foundation commended the contributions of ENS, including its leadership, teaching staff, and students, recognizing that school partnerships are crucial for making reading more accessible to every child. The organization strives to instill the practice of giving in students from a young age.

Since its inception, the ‘Pledge a Library’ initiative has successfully distributed over 200 portable libraries, benefiting more than 100,000 children across 27 countries in collaboration with international organizations. Each library contains 100 Arabic books tailored for various age groups, providing essential resources for schools and communities that require improved access to reading materials.

Through this initiative, Kalimat Foundation continues to enhance access to Arabic books for children in underserved areas, employing a model that allows individuals, institutions, and schools to sponsor complete libraries. This approach not only sustains the initiative but also deepens its impact within beneficiary communities.

Source: www.emirates247.com

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Published on 2026-05-22 21:24:00 • By the Editorial Desk