Dubai: Hundreds of students 'shop for free' through unique Ramadan initiative

Khaleej Times

04-03-2025

Grade 12 students Maryam and Azhar were busy sifting through rows of clothes, picking out jeans and shirts — not for themselves, but for their younger sisters. Meanwhile, across the campus, Grade 11 Syrian student Suhayb Badar was on the lookout for trendy t-shirts and comfortable trousers for his younger brother.
These students were part of the National Charity School in Al Garhoud benefiting from an initiative called 'Gift It Forward' by Dubai Holding. This initiative serves hundreds of students from Grades 5 to 12, offering them a unique opportunity during Ramadan.
Now in its second edition, 'Gift It Forward' began on Tuesday and is more than just corporate charity. It gives beneficiaries the chance not only to receive gifts for Ramadan but also to select and curate their own items based on their personal needs and those of their loved ones.
'It's both an empowering and a dignified way of receiving gifts,' Tala Khlat, Dubai Holding associate director for philanthropy, told Khaleej Times, explaining: 'With our initiative, you choose your own gifts. We also let you choose items you would like to give to your family or friends.
Dubai Holding set up marketplaces or mini-bazaars at both the Girls and Boys campuses of the National Charity School, where a wide array of items was displayed, including clothing, accessories, personal care products, homeware, toys, and school supplies.
The students were invited to choose up to 10 brand-new items from a selection donated by 25 companies. These included brands from Dubai Holding, such as Jumeirah and Dubai Parks and Resorts, as well as other contributors like Azadea Group, L'Occitane en Provence, Virgin Megastore, Apparel Group, Alshaya Group, and The Giving Movement, among others.
This marked the first time Dubai Holding held the event at a school. Last year, the initiative distributed around 120,000 items, valued at approximately Dh7 million, to more than 10,500 individuals — mostly workers — across Dubai.
'This year, we're expanding in schools. We are doing this throughout Ramadan at various locations in Dubai. We are targeting single mothers, low-income families and workers. We collected more than 200,000 brand new items from our partners and we have more than 500 volunteers to help us with this Ramadan initiative that will benefit more than 11,000 Dubai residents,' Khlat noted.
'The overwhelming response to last year's edition bolstered our determination to enhance our impact in 2025. 'Gift It Forward' harnesses the collective force of our diverse portfolio by promoting a culture of volunteering and advancing our Group's commitment to being a force For The Good of Tomorrow,' shared Huda Buhumaid, chief impact officer at Dubai Holding.
'Shopping for free'
The initiative also received praise from National Charity School's security and safety officer, Raya Bataineh, who called it empowering for the students. 'They were happy 'shopping for free' for their loved ones,' she noted.
Grade 10 student Yara, originally from Egypt, expressed her excitement: 'There were so many items to choose from, and I was lucky to have found a colorful shirt and skirt for my younger sister.'
Meanwhile, Maryam and Azhar selected pens and novelty items, in addition to the jeans and shirts for their siblings, making the experience even more special for their family.