DUBAI // As well as the traditional arts and crafts that go on at holiday camps, youngsters attending Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children in Dubai enjoy a special insight into the world of television and radio.
More than 100 children from the ages of 4 to 16, are attending the winter camp in Al Wasl Road.
The younger children have been making clay pottery, paper models, learning to cook healthy food and understanding the basics of recycling, while the older ones have been learning how to build a smartphone app and make small robots.
The centre has a big library, with books in Arabic and English, and a music centre where children can learn to play instruments.
A production studio gives children a rare opportunity to learn how to direct and produce TV shows, as well as lighting, presenting and editing.
Bushra Al Rahoomi, programme director at the centre, said since they started a year ago the children’s holiday camps have become more popular.
“The children used the [Arabic] letter ‘nun’ as the inspiration for their artwork this week,” she said.
“Each has used it to create their own individual piece of work, in a different way.
“It encourages them to use their imagination and to take pride in their work, as each piece has gone on display.”
Children were also working hard on a theatre production to perform for parents.
Each child had made their own mask to wear ahead of a performance in which they had learnt dance moves and steps in time to traditional Arabic music.
The second act, called The Princesses and the Well, was aimed at raising awareness among kids to respect and follow the law without any exceptions.
The process has been a good way to teach expatriate children about Arabic culture, and to encourage them to take part in physical activity, rather than play on video games during the winter school holiday, organisers said.
“Each child has presented their work in their own way,” Ms Al Rahoomi said.
“We have had a lot of Persian kids, two Russians and some French boys who do not speak Arabic at all.
“For the 10-day camp, we let children build their bonds between each other, to help each other to translate language themselves and build friendships.
“The children rotate on each activity, according to their age groups, so they get to try everything. The boys love to learn about the radio and television, and a lot of the girls want to learn how to cook Arabic food. Everyone has a smile on their face, both the volunteers and the children.”
nwebster@thenational.ae
