DWC Diploma Year 1 students participate in the Reading in Schools project
About 200 Dubai Women’s College (DWC) Diploma Year 1 students spread the joy of reading when they recently participated in a community service project “Reading in Schools”.
“Reading in Schools” Project is a student-run endeavor conducted in partnership with 9 government primary schools.
The project was initiated to foster the spirit of volunteering, raising awareness of corporate social responsibility and also in response to the need for promoting reading in the UAE. Partnerships with community members will enhance the project’s success.
The outcome of the project will have Diploma students setting up and conducting English reading activities with pupils in Grades 2 and 3, with the aim to motivate children to read. DWC Diploma students will also donate a number of books to school libraries.
Two renowned children’s book authors, Julia Johnson and Dr. Safaa Azmy, volunteered to present to DWC students effective techniques used when reading to children. DWC’s Bachelor of Education students have also given practical workshop training to the Diploma students on how to prepare and conduct reading activities for Emirati primary school students. Additionally, Magrudy’s bookstore has offered a 15% discount on children’s book purchases.
The Reading in Schools project was initiated to build up a culture of reading among young Emiratis who are the mothers of the next generation, and in support of the UAEs wider community initiatives such as Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Dubai Cares Million Book Challenge’, Knowledge Without Borders (KWB).
“I did not only learn about reading techniques, but also how to approach and read to my own children in the future”, Amna Ali Rashed Al Shamsi, Diploma year 1 student said.
Deema Mohammed Saeed Al Mazrooei said: “I found this project interesting and it helped me to show young local students that reading is fun and enjoyable.”
DWC English Faculty member Zadjia Zahi said: “This project provides DWC students with an opportunity to be effective agents of change in their society, able to transform challenges into rewarding experiences.”
Cynthia Ogilvy, DWC English Faculty member, also stated that: “Diploma students will be doing their community a great service if they can begin to instill a love of reading in the next generation of young Emiratis.”
