School organises 'giving' carnival?

About 2,000 parents, community members came for the event and the school managed to collect Dh10,000 that was handed over to Dubai Cares. You must have heard of festivals, year end fairs but one school in Deira has added meaning to the whole idea by introducing a 'Carnival of Giving' for the first time on the school campus.

About 350 students of Sabari Indian School (SIS) celebrated a 'Carnival of Giving' with all the proceeds of the event going to Dubai Cares. About 2,000 parents, community members came for the event and the school managed to collect Dh10,000 that was handed over to Dubai Cares.

"The ethos and culture of our school is underpinned by the universal core values of social responsibility, care and giving. This carnival aims at instilling the values of caring and giving back to the community in our children and in encouraging them to raise funds for their underprivileged peers, who do not have access to schools around the world, Latha Venkateswar, principal of the school, told Khaleej Times.

Explaining the philosophy of giving, Latha said: "At a very young age we want to sow the seeds of giving so that these tiny tots blossom into global citizens who learn to give from their hearts and not mere do a lip service. We explained to the kids that giving must be an ongoing process, the more you give the more you receive. You stop receiving when you stop giving."

The carnival was inaugurated by Raza Khan, CEO, Al Najah Education, while Kenneth Jones, director; and Karan Brown, head of Indian Schools, of Al Najah Education were also present.

Apart from a number of spot performances, lucky draws, games, magic shows, it was a beautiful dance of love by a group of 4-year-old students that stole the show while it conveyed a deep message of love, hope and happiness. The song and dance depicted how by small actions such as a smile, or doing small deeds to bring happiness in someone's life, we can make this world a peaceful place.

It was heartening to see a senior citizen and grandparent of a student was invited to release the balloons, giving a little joy to the grandparent and his family and all present there.

Heer, grade 8 student, said: "We are having this carnival not only for our fun but for the refugee children who are suffering somewhere in some corner of the world."

Another student Hari said: "We realise that we are very privileged. We have facilities and resources so why not share them with those who don't have them."

The principal concluded the five-hour carnival with an apt quote by Mother Teresa, "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."

Read more: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/dubai/school-organises-giving-carnival