By Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

DUBAI: Over two dozen children along with their parents have participated in a number of artistic workshops to celebrate the Emirati Children's Day activities at the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children in Dubai.

The activities including artistic workshops were held at Jalila Centre in cooperation with Al Jalila Foundation to host a number of young patients of the Foundation’s ‘Farah’ programme and their families for a day of arts and culture. The aim was to spread happiness to sick children.

The children, ages 6 to 16, participated in art workshops including music, ceramics, drawing, fashion design and theatre. They enjoyed learning technical skills and had the opportunity to retain their artistic pieces, along with enjoying some quality family time at the centre dedicated to nurturing children’s creativity.

The children’s centre believes that art is one of the most important means in the child's therapeutic journey supporting them psychologically and enhancing their positive energy and confidence. Art also has the power to distract them from their suffering by focusing on their artistic talents and abilities.

The participating children, belonging to different nationalities, attended the workshops along with their parents who expressed thanked the foundation and the centre for organising the day-long activities.

“The opportunity of attending the artistic workshops including painting, ceramic, music and others with the technical support of professionals from the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children has not only enthralled the children but given them the chance to learn new things. We are thankful of these opportunities and hope such will continue for other children as well,” said Dave, a parent of a young boy.

Farah, Al Jalila Foundation’s paediatric programme in Dubai, is dedicated to saving young patients' lives by providing medical treatment, funding research and spreading hope among sick children and their families.

Through Farah, Al Jalila Foundation is transforming children’s lives in the UAE; the humanitarian programme also brings the community together to raise funds through community-based campaigns and encourages donations from the wider society. All funds raised are invested in vital treatment and research of paediatric medical conditions. The programme helps alleviate the financial burden on families with sick children, allowing them to focus on the treatment plan and recovery.

Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children contributes to all community initiatives that serve children in the UAE. It also provides artistic activities for orphans and sick children, in order to give every child in the community an opportunity to discover his/her talents and become the best versions of themselves and confident citizens of the world.

It is also mentioned that Al Jalila Foundation, a global healthcare philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives, was founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai in April 2013, to position Dubai and the UAE at the forefront of medical innovation.

The foundation supports medical treatment for individuals unable to afford quality healthcare, provides scholarships to nurture a home-grown generation of medical professionals and supports ground-breaking research that addresses health challenges prevalent in the region: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and mental health.

Al Jalila Foundation is named after Sheikha Al Jalila Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the daughter of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

The Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children was established under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children was established in 2014 and its Board of Trustees was chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. The council includes a constellation of UAE intellectuals.