Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

The Ministry of Community Development launched the details of the “Winter Joy Program” the social development centers all over the UAE to include several activities and events targeting family and children from all nationalities. The programme enhances family cohesion and solidarity, and encourages children and families to benefit from these activities, creativity and innovation. The programme runs for two weeks from 15-26 December under the theme “Create & Enjoy” and coincides with the schools’ midyear break.

The winter activities will run in the social centers at Dubai, “Al Batayeh” in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Um Al Qiwain and Ras Al Khaimah, with several social activities and events to enhance innovative and creative ideas. The programme is divided into five pillars divided into several workshops and entertaining creative initiatives: financial planning for families and children and Al Senaa to enhance volunteering opportunities for children and parents, enhance the empowerment of people of determination, and encourage solidarity of family members in a positive social development environment.

The winter activities will be organised in eight social development centers at Dubai, “Al Batayeh”-Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Um Al Qiwan, Ras Al Khaimah, Khorfakkan and Dibba Fujairah; Julphar and Ras Al Khaimah centers will be merged, while Kalba and Fujairah centers will organise common social development activities, to strengthen innovative and creative activities.

On this occasion, Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Development, emphasized that the ‘winter joy program’ activities in the social development centers are based on two pillars: innovation and creativity among children, enhance family relations in an ideal environment. The Ministry is very keen to provide children with recreational, entertaining and innovation activities that consolidate family coherence and community solidarity, national integration, innovation and positive spirits.

The activities of the ‘winter joy program’ in the social development centers include: “yoga sessions” for children aged 6 years old to enjoy a healthy, creative and entertaining yoga class, “mandala art” workshop i.e. a healing art session for children aged 6 years and above as well as their parents, “ceramic art” workshop, and “design your home” workshop to encourage children design and create their dream homes. The programme also included an ‘intellectual session’ presented by a psychiatrist to teach children and youth aged 15 years and above with the participation of the people of determination, “Fine Arts Impact on Architecture” for children aged 12 years’ old to provide them the opportunities to learn architectural forms through style.