FUJAIRAH // Some children do it to relieve the boredom of a long summer, for some it is a chance to learn something new and some just come along for the snacks.
There are many and varied reasons why youngsters have been flocking to Fujairah Social Development Centre’s summer programme this year, which kicked off at the start of the month.
The month-long scheme hopes to bring out children’s hidden talents and to spread the concept of volunteer work and social responsibility, while also increasing their productivity during their free time.
The programme includes workshops, recreational, educational and sports activities to motivate and develop nearly 100 school pupils in Fujairah over the summer break.
“I like to spend my time here other than sitting at home doing nothing,” said 12-year-old Hamad Saeed.
“Karate is my favourite sport and I didn’t miss any classes since the beginning of the programme,” he said.
For his younger brother though, the motivation was slightly different.
“I enjoy karate but I enjoy the snacks break more. I wish that the summer vacation will never end,” said Rashed, 8.
“I liked the class where they taught us how to make our own accessories and I learnt a lot from the cooking classes,” said Ashwaq Ramadan, 12, who was also enjoying the edible element of the scheme.
“Recycling is also great but I’m looking forward to the chocolate class next week; they will teach us how to make it and that will be fantastic.”
Issa Ali, 9, who has enjoyed meeting new people through the programme, said: “I wake up every day so excited to come here.
“I have lots of friends now and I enjoy spending the time with them, playing and learning. I liked all the classes and I hope to join the programme next year too.”
Muhra Ali, despite being only six years old, has already learnt to make her own accessories.
“Isn’t that cool?” she said. “I liked the Holy Quran classes and I’m so happy that they will take us tomorrow to Mall of the Emirates, we will have lots of fun.”
For those helping to run the programme, it has also proved to be a worthwhile experience.
“This is the first time I have participated as a volunteer in a programme,” said 17-year-old Halima Abdullah, who has been helping out.
“I enjoy dealing with kids and I feel so satisfied by being very useful to my community. Today I’m teaching them how to recycle a corn flakes pack by creating a beautiful bag out of it,” she said.
Ahlam Al Ali, director of the Fujairah Social Development Centre, said: “This initiative is under the patronage of the Minister of Social Affairs and it reinforces young people to take responsibility and voluntary social participation, helping them in expanding their energy in a positive manner and strengthen the spirit of national belonging and traditions.
“The summer programme keeps kids and students busy with something useful during summer time. It is a great opportunity for them to obtain new skills and increase their knowledge in various aspects, such as recycling, cooking, traditional handicrafts, painting, sports and much more.”
Ms Al Ali said that the programme was also about helping children to discover where their talents lay, as well as involving them in volunteer work, such as distributing gifts for orphans or food for people in need.
“Such initiatives will lead them into making a difference in their own community and be productive,” she said.
The programme is sponsored by the Emirates Red Crescent in Fujairah, which is also providing computer courses, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the Artisans Centre and the Juvenile Awareness and Care Association in Fujairah, which is providing the programme supervisors.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
