15,600 take part in Dubai Friday walk

DUBAI: Almost 15,600 people took part in a Dubai walk on Friday morning to highlight the millions of children around the world who have to walk an average of three kilometres every day to reach their schools.

Talking, on the occasion, to The News, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive of Dubai Cares, said: “Children of developing countries have to walk around three to six kilometres to reach their schools everyday, so we want to give that experience to residents of Dubai.”

He hoped that the participants of walk would realise the challenges students face to acquire education in developing nations. Millions of students walk an average of three kilometres everyday through difficult terrains, sometimes crossing rivers and mountains to reach school.

Tariq Al Gurg was delighted to express that the generous support Dubai Cares received from all corners of the UAE will certainly help them to extend the scope of their efforts to reach as many children and young people as possible in developing countries. Many people from Pakistan also took part in the walk under the banner of The Citizen Foundation. Dubai has been helping Pakistan in association with The Citizen Foundation (TCF) in building schools and imparting quality education.

Speaking with The News, Chief Executive Officer of the TCF, UAE chapter, Sarah Siddiqui said that they want to create the awareness among our community to help the TCF in providing education to underprivileged section of society. The symbolic walk is held every year in Dubai to show solidarity with children around the world who have limited or no access to education. Drummers, dancers and different cartoon characters also enthralled the participants of the walk.