Dubai, UAE, 1 April 2014 - Today, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre invited students from Cambridge International School (CIS), located in Garhoud, to participate in its Succeed Through Service program, designed to teach children valuable life skills and help them forge a path to success in the future.  The program is part of the luxury hotel company's global youth engagement program, and its Community Footprints social responsibility commitment.  

The Year 9 students completed sessions with members of The Ritz-Carlton DIFC's Community Footprints team, specially created to provide some of the resources necessary to help young people lead happier, healthier and more productive lives.  The day started with a healthy eating and safe food handling session with Executive Chef Ron Pietruszka, where the students were taught the importance of a balanced diet and food hygiene.  This was followed by a practical session in the hotel restaurants' kitchens, where the students had the opportunity to put the theory into practice, and learned how to make a healthy meal for their families, including sautéed salmon, pumpkin puree, spinach and quinoa.  

Along with a team building workshop that involved making up a bed in one of the guest rooms in small groups, the children, aged 13-14 years, then completed two valuable life-skills sessions, spending time with the hotel's Director of Housekeeping, Mercedita Fernandez, and Director of Engineering, Mohammed Balkemy, to learn every day skills such as how to read a water meter, and essential energy saving tips to apply around the home. 

"As the name suggests, Succeed Through Service is all about helping young people to thrive, and inspiring them do their best", says Lothar Quarz, General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC.  "Being in a hotel environment for many children is an aspirational experience, and by using the diverse skill-set of our Ladies & Gentlemen we are able to share some essential skills to help equip the students for their lives beyond school, and hopefully inspire them to achieve success in their future careers".

Craig Lamshed, Principal of Cambridge International School, Dubai adds: "At CIS, like all GEMS Education Schools, we aim to prepare children to face the modern world and The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC's Succeed Through Service program perfectly complements this focus. The partnership offers a stimulating environment for the children to learn a range of important life skills, as well as engaging them with the first steps of career exploration".

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About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 85 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, an award that originated in 1987. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of quality excellence, recognize quality achievements of companies and publicize successful quality strategies. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won the award in 1992 and 1999. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR).

About GEMS Education
Cambridge International School, Dubai is a part of the GEMS Education global network of schools.

GEMS Education is a pioneering education company. Through our schools, consulting practice and our charitable foundation we are advancing education for all. Every day in our schools around the world, we prepare thousands of children of all ages for real world success.

We are a catalyst and delivery partner.  We work with governments, donor agencies and private clients to improve education systems, and provide vital training for young people in an increasingly competitive world.

Through the Varkey GEMS Foundation we campaign for, and support initiatives that change lives through education.

Contact:  Hannah George                                                        
hannah.george@ritzcarlton.com
Director of Public Relations, The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC          
+971 (0) 55 300 4620             

© Press Release 2014