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Needy kids get to go on Eid shopping spree

Farah Mohammed, a 7-year-old who survived the Syrian war with third degree burns on her face, is now in happy spirits.
Syrian twins Aysar and Islam, who fled the war from Syria's Daraa, just turned six and got to cut their cake with their friends.
These youngsters were among 50 children that the Dubai branch of Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) took on a shopping spree, as part of their 'Joy of Eid Clothing Project,' in collaboration with Rawafed development and learning center. The project allows sponsors to cover expenses of Eid clothes for underprivileged children living in the UAE.
While the project served 2,000 children last year, the ERC is aiming to clothe 3,000 children.
Accompanied by volunteers, each child shopped for a minimum of Dh200 at Ibn Battuta Mall's Red Tag, with full expenses sponsored by the shopping mall.
The charity organisation then took the underprivileged children who hailed from Yemen, Syria, Palestine and UAE to Chuck E. Cheese's to have a meal and play games. Ibn Battuta Mall will sponsor 50 children every week of Ramadan to help clothe 200 kids. The rest of the trips to Red Tag are sponsored by different private entities, schools and individuals throughout Ramadan.
"The best part we loved about today was the games!" smiled Farah's older sister, Hoor Mohammed, aged 11. "I bought two dresses, a top and pants with shoes. I will not wear these clothes until Eid," she said. It was the sisters' second year taking part in the shopping trip."
The family of eight fled Deir Al Zour of Syria when little Farah got disfigured after a bomb hit her house. She was three at the time and survived, but with permanent scars on her face and body.
The family fled to Turkey before coming to the UAE three years ago. They currently reside in Ajman. "We plan to spend our Eid with the family. We may go to Sharjah and have a picnic there," said Hoor.
Nine-year-old Maha Ahmed, from the UAE, bought three tops, two pants, shoes and a perfume. "I'm happy I got to choose my new outfit for Eid that I will spend the holidays with."
Innovative ways of giving
Mohammed Al Zarouni, ERC director, said the organisation works on finding innovative ways to allow the public to do their part in giving. "It makes it easy for the public to join such initiative and see where their money is going. Joining the children to buy their clothes not only makes the children happy, but also to volunteers who get to see the children's happy faces thanks to their efforts," said Al Zarouni.
Meanwhile, main organizer Shadia Al Jabri, director of Rawafed Development and Learning Centre, said: "It's always overwhelming to see kids choose what they want for Eid, which is very important to them. Watching them bounce with joy and drag their bags of clothes as they walk is a privilege that makes it all worth it."
Lee West, country head at Red Tag for UAE, said businesses must get more involved with the underprivileged throughout the year. "You look at disadvantaged children and the plight they're going through, and it's nice to see them smile and benefit from something they don't get a lot of throughout the year. It's priceless," said West. He stressed that the shop wants to cover 3,000 kids this year.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com