Hands-on Learning (HOL) and Annual Summer Camp

Inspired by a model from Australia and adapted for the UAE, the Hands-on Learning (HOL) template supports at-risk secondary school students in re-engaging with school and their wider community. To further advance the goals of the HOL program, the Al Qasimi Foundation established an annual summer camp for the children of inmates.

The Annual Summer Camp launched in 2023 aims to enhance the social skills and emotional well-being of children facing social, economic, and emotional challenges due to parental incarceration. Through a variety of structured activities, the program helps participants build resilience, develop self-expression, and strengthen their mental health. The camp continues to grow each year, serving an increasing number of children in need.

ART Exploration 2025: Expanding Creative Engagement Across Schools

ART Exploration 2025 continues to make an impact on nurturing creativity and artistic expression among students across the UAE. This year, the program has successfully expanded its reach to 80 schools, including 15 from other emirates and 65 from Ras Al Khaimah.

Over the course of 20 days, the initiative delivered 85 interactive art workshops designed to spark imagination, build confidence, and develop artistic skills. A total of 2,662 students participated in the program—886 boys and 1,776 girls—demonstrating strong enthusiasm and engagement across all sessions.

By bringing high-quality, hands-on art experiences directly into schools, ART Exploration 2025 is fostering a culture of creativity and self-expression while contributing to students’ personal and educational development. The program showcases the importance of the arts in education but highlights the importance of creativity in connecting communities across the UAE.

The "Inspiring Journey" Mentorship Program

The program supports at-risk students facing behavioral and academic challenges by offering skill-building workshops, mentoring, and educational field trips. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, it targets male students in grades 9 to 11 who struggle with behavioral issues, helping them improve academic performance, life skills, and self-confidence while empowering them to overcome obstacles and thrive.

Summer Camp for the Children of Inmates

This camp helps children facing social, economic, and emotional challenges due to their parents' incarceration by enhancing their social skills, resilience, and emotional well-being. Since its launch in 2023, the camp continues to grow, serving more children each year.

Developed with Dr. Helen Abadzi, the program uses repetition, guided practice, and a specially designed pupil book to build fluency step by step. Piloted in Ras Al Khaimah, IQRA has shown strong results in improving reading speed and comprehension. It’s now being evaluated by J-PAL MENA to guide future scale-up and policy impact.

How It Works

• Twice-weekly sessions in KG2 or Grade 1 classrooms
• Teacher-led, guided, and independent reading practice
• Simple, bold materials to reduce visual and cognitive strain
• Continuous support, training, and assessment from the Foundation

School Participation

Schools must commit to implementation, provide classroom time, and support evaluation. The Foundation handles training, materials, and monitoring.

Join the Movement

IQRA is helping build a generation of fluent Arabic readers. To get involved, contact the Al Qasimi Foundation and be part of the UAE’s literacy future. Contact Reham Zahran, Senior Grants and Programs Associate, for more details.