Dubai, UAE, 19 February 2020:   Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has donated 2,000 books to the UAE’s Wanna Read? initiative as another step in its efforts to promote the culture of reading within the UAE community. Through this partnership, Wanna Read? will distribute the books to pediatric wards at hospitals across the UAE. The books, which comprise of a variety of titles including novels, history and science, will entertain and educate children to help them through the healing and rehabilitation process. 

The 2,000-book donation was drawn from the 7,000 books Dubai Cares collected during the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale in October 2019 ¬— the biggest sale of its kind in the world. As a charity partner of this mega book sale, Dubai Cares committed to distribute and deliver the collected books to the McMillan Public Library in Nairobi, Kenya and hospitals across the UAE.

Speaking about the positive outcome that can be achieved through the collaboration between UAE-based foundations, Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares and Member of its Board of Directors said: “We are pleased to partner with Wanna Read? and support the excellent work of Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Founder of ‘Wanna Read?’, as well as her team for promoting the culture of reading among the UAE’s younger generations. Literacy is a foundation of childhood development, as it unlocks the minds of young people through their ability to comprehend and enjoy the endless stories and lessons contained within literature. We look forward that the donated books will help to bring these same advantages and a source of enjoyment and inspiration to children who are unfortunately undergoing hospital treatment.”

Stressing on the impact of literacy on children development, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan said: “On behalf of Wanna Read?, I would like to thank Dubai Cares for their generous donation of books that will support healing through reading in hospitals across the UAE and which will also be sent to the MacMillan Libraries in Africa. Reading not only promotes brain development in children but also reduces stress, anxiety and boredom during their stay in hospital. I hope these books will bring moments of joy to all the children who read them, sparking their curiosity and giving them a means to travel to places they dream of.”

Led by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and her belief that an enjoyment of books should be encouraged at all ages, the Wanna Read? initiative creates warm, friendly, and stimulating environments in hospitals across the UAE where volunteers can help in reading to young patients. The initiative aims to complement the high standards of patient care provided in the UAE through the educational enrichment that books provide.