The official charity of the first Gulf Art Fair, to be held in Dubai from today, has been given special status to run its operations in Dubai.
Al Madad Foundation, a UK-registered charity, which raises money and awareness for disadvantaged children, has been granted a licence to have offices in Dubai's Humanitarian and Aid City, from Jebel Ali Free Zone.
The foundation, set up six years ago, has helped better the lives of thousands of children caught up in wars and natural disasters, in the Middle East, Africa and the Subcontinent.
Now, with its new operation in Dubai it hopes to help some of the most needy children in the region through interactive arts and media projects. Faiza Meyassar, founder of the organisation, said the first project to be launched in Dubai, Start, will coincide with the Gulf Art Fair. A gala dinner at the Joharah Ballroom, Madinat Jumeirah, will raise funds for the project.
"Dubai is a great platform for a regional project, which will see us help children in war-torn countries such as Iraq," she added.
"We combine art and cultural awareness and have worked in Palestine and Kashmir in the past. We give children an excellent opportunity to express themselves through art." The projects that Al Madad have funded in the past include photography books, where professional photographers take pictures of children in areas of conflict, which are then interspersed with the children's own drawings.
Silent Witnesses, a book published in 2005, documents the lives of children in Palestine.
The group also worked on a book about Kashmiri children following the devastating Pakistan earthquake of 2005. They are now working on a project in Niger, Africa.
In Dubai, the foundation has already begun workshops in Al Noor and Al Diyafa schools in collaboration with the Prince's Drawing School, a charity established by the Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, which encourages drawing among children.
As part of its work with the Gulf Arts Fair, Al Madad will host similar workshops for children at the Madinat.
By Emirates Today Staff
© Emirates Today 2007
