Dubai, July 6, 2004: Children participating in the Sweets Surprises theme week activities are sending letters epitomising love, peace and encouragement to the underprivileged children of Palestine, Iraq and other Third World countries who suffer from poverty, starvation and are victims of conflicts on a day-to-day basis.

As part of an innovative activity, titled 'Sweets Messages to the Third World Kids', which is being organised by the Sweets Surprises Committee, this is a honest endeavour of the little ones to express their emotions and feelings around the globe.

Safiya Mohammed Bu Melha, Sweets Surprises Events Coordinator, said that the world today is a witness to a lot of suffering, especially the little ones, who are exposed to poverty, starvation and conflicts all around. "In view of this, the Sweets Surprises Committee came up with the idea of offering an opportunity to the kids of the UAE to send messages of love, peace and encouragement to the underprivileged ones in other parts of the world," she said.

Safiya added that the activity is designed at apprising the little ones here in Dubai about the problems faced by children around the globe, especially those in Palestine and Iraq. "The Sweets Messages to the Third World Kids is also aimed at making the little ones aware of the suffering of children in other parts of the world and share their feelings," she said.

It is very important for the child gifted with a happy childhood to realise the feelings of the children who are not privileged enough to experience the same, Safiya said, adding: "These words of encouragement and concern will work wonders for the less privileged."

Safiya said that children of this generation are very smart and they are fully aware of the problems around the globe and hence they can show their skills by spreading their messages of love by visiting the 'Sweets Messages' Corner at the Al Ghurair City between 6pm and 10pm. "Over 500 kids, in the age-group of 6 to 10 years, have already visited the 'Sweets Messages Corner' to forward their card where they write their messages. The card has the DSS logo as also different drawings related to the event," Safiya said.

The Corner also has some supervisors who guide and help the kids to write. The kids, who do not have the ability to write, can express their feelings and their emotions will be put down by the Supervisors, she said. The children who take part in the activity receive gifts, including balloons embedded with the logo of DSS, bags and T-shirts as also sweets and candies manufactured specially for the little ones.

Safiya said that by the end of the Sweets Surprises Week, they will choose the three best letters going by its content and style, which will receive valuable prizes from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

Sana Farooq, 13, from India, one of the kids who took part in the 'Sweets Messages to the Third World Kids' activity, said: "I am really taken by surprise by the vast range of exciting activities showcased during DSS 2004. As for the Sweets Surprises week, we all are enjoying it to our fullest, because the parents are really happy that their kids are exposed to this wonderful world of sweets from all corners of the globe. I took part in the Sweets Messages' activity because it is an innovative and a great idea and I wrote a letter to the kids wishing them happy days ahead. I also invited them to come to Dubai, promising that they will enjoy their time here with us."

Another kid who took part in the activity is 10-year-old Ahmed Abdul Fatah from Jordan. "The Sweets Surprises week is the best during DSS 2004 and I enjoy all the activities in store. As for the Sweets Messages, I penned down letters to my friends around the globe, advising them to be patient and courageous and wishing them happiness. I have also invited them to Dubai."

Dubai Summer Surprises 2004 is currently in the Sweets Surprises, which is being organised by Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing till July 7, followed by Cartoon Surprises by Dubai Ports Authority from July 8-14, Flower Surprises by Dubai Municipality from July 15-21, Heritage Surprises by Dubai Customs from July 22-28, Adventure Surprises by Dubai Police from July 29-August 4, Knowledge Surprises by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry from August 5-11, Back-2-School Surprises by the Department of Economic Development from August 12-18 and ends with the Colour Surprises by the Department of Health and Medical Sciences from August 19- 27, 2004.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact
Hessah Sultan Aurbaya,
Corporate Communication Coordinator,
Dubai Summer Surprises,
Tel: +971-4-202 0510;
Fax: +971-4-222 1110
Email: haurbaya@mydsf.gov.ae

© Press Release 2004