Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 3 February, 2019: Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has announced a spectacular line-up to mark the 10th anniversary of its annual Walk for Education. The event will take place on Friday 15 February, 2019 at Dubai Creek Park, next to Al Garhoud Bridge, Gate 2. Dubai Cares invites members of the UAE community to participate alongside family, friends and colleagues to walk 4,000 steps (3km) in solidarity with millions of children in developing countries who walk long distances every day to go to school. This symbolic three-kilometer walk also aims to raise awareness about the importance of providing underprivileged children and young people around the world with access to quality education.

 

Walk the Distance and Make a Difference

The Dubai Cares Walk for Education 2019 represents an important milestone in the history of the event, serving as a special occasion to celebrate its ever-growing popularity among the UAE community, as well as to reaffirm the importance of providing access to quality education to children and young people in developing countries.

 

Speaking about the upcoming 10th edition of the annual Walk for Education, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares, said: “We have come a long way since 2009, where we have collectively walked 287 million steps in solidarity with millions of children who embark on a long and treacherous journey to school every single day. To ensure the maximum impact for the 10th edition of this important event, I call upon the support of the entire UAE community to join us in this 4,000-steps walk and make a real difference in children’s lives in developing countries. Together we will send a resounding message to the world about the importance of safe access to school for underprivileged children and young people. I look forward to this event with great anticipation as I am sure it will build on its previous successes to become the most impactful Walk for Education thus far.”

 

Family-friendly Lineup and Fun-filled Activities 

The walk will be co-hosted by radio presenters Abdulla Ismail and Saif and Sound, joined by Dubai-based DJ Keza. The carnival themed event will be complemented by a family-friendly lineup of pre- and post-walk entertainment inside the park, including face painting, hair braiding, carnival games, music and traditional dance in addition to a fun-filled program of entertainment activities including, hula hoop, bouncy castles and arts and crafts stations. The program also includes sport activities that will be handled by DuPlays. In addition, attendees will get to savour delicious food and drink by visiting pop-up food and beverage stalls from Costa, Ice cream Lab, Kulcha King, Mom’s Crepe and Subway.

 

The Walk celebration will include a fantastic parade of bands and heritage dance groups representing different cultures and nationalities, such as the Dubai Police band, a traditional Emirati performance presented by the students of the Ministry of Education, the Agha Khan Scouts and Guides Band, a choir performed by the GEMS Modern Academy’s students, an Indian classical dance performed by GEMS Millennium school as well as the Dubai Drums. 

 

Rana Awad, Community Engagement Manager at Dubai Cares, added: 'The popularity of the Walk for Education has continuously grown year after year, having more than 15,000 participants and 250 volunteers in 2018, so we are naturally expecting an even higher participation this year. We invite the UAE public to join us in great numbers on this day to advocate for education, while celebrating what we have together achieved so far over the past decade. All participants can expect an impactful day out with plenty of fun-filled and family-friendly activities.”

 

Generous Sponsors and Supporting Partners 

This year’s main sponsor is Aetna, joined by Chevron as a sponsor. Subway was the first organization to sign up and confirm the participation of 2,000 people. Al Tayer Group and The Kindergarten Starters have once again demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm by signing up, and confirming the participation of 1,500 staff and 1,000 students and staff respectively.

 

Dubai Cares’ other supporting partners for the Walk for Education 2019 include Arabian Radio Network (ARN), Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Sports Council, ExpatWoman, JK58, Hills Advertising, Virgin Megastore Ticket, VOX Cinemas, ITP Media Group, RTA, UAE Exchange.

 

The registration amount of AED 30 is considered as a donation to Dubai Cares to support its educational programs around the world, with entry being free of charge for children under five. Participants can register online through Virgin Megastore Tickets or on the day, and are advised to arrive at 7:30 am with the walk starting at 9 am.