Over 200 blue-collar workers treated to VIP movie screening

Over 200 blue-collar workers received a red carpet welcome, literally, at a Dubai cineplex as they disembarked from their company buses to enjoy a movie treat at the cinemas - something most of them had never done before.
The labourers belonged to the group that sacrificed their weekends to complete courses designed to improve their English communication skills and confidence. The workers, part of the 2018 H2 batch, were being treated for completing the four-and-a-half month course called SmartReading, an English programme that was launched by NGO SmartLife in 2016.
The movie treat was sponsored by VOX Cinemas that booked an exclusive screening of a Bollywood movie for the workers at Cineplex Grand Hyatt. About 300 seats were reserved for the workers. They were accompanied by about 30 SmartReading teachers.
A Pakistani driver, Najmul Hassan, said: "I am at the Senior 2 level and I have completed a year with SmartReading. I am feeling very happy and excited today.
Not many people think about taking us out on a treat but the SmartReading staff members have become like our family. They are not only educating us but are building our personality.
"This is actually the first time I have ever come to a cinema to watch a movie. I am super happy and excited as a child as I am here with all my classmates," Hassan told Khaleej Times.
Manjula Ramakrishnan, president of SmartLife and project lead of SmartReading, said: "SmartReading is primarily about spoken English, reading and communication skills, but beyond that, we are trying to achieve a kind of bonding with our students with the aim of instilling confidence in them in a fun way."
Ramakrishnan said: "We tell the students that these courses are all about learning combined with fun. At the end of the course, we either promise them a picnic or some outing, but this time VOX was kind enough to sponsor them. This is a recognition of the fact that they have stayed with the programme and have shown the confidence to sit for the exam. This is our way of applauding and encouraging them."
Sunitha, a bus conductor, who is part of the Junior 2 batch of SmartReading, was hanging out at the cinema lobby with two of her classmates, who were also from the beginner-level batch.
"I feel a sense of achievement today, thanks to SmartReading. Teachers here keep motivating us and do not let our spirits go low even when we give them a hard time. They don't let us fall but instead correct us without making us feel small or embarrassing us. This is what boosts our morale and energy."
SmartReading batches start from beginners' level, moving up to Junior 1 and Junior 2; and then become seniors and go on to Senior 1, 2, 3 and 4 levels.
Michelle Walsh, COO at VOX Cinemas at Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, said: "As part of its sustainability initiatives, VOX Cinemas has an ongoing programme of activities supporting workers across the region. This is one of many initiatives we have rolled out to create great moments for everyone every day."
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai