Low Income Families To Benefit From New Charitable Summer Camp Programme

This summer, over 100 children from low income families are set to benefit from a new non-profit charitable programme. Thanks to BOOST, in collaboration with Dubai Emirates Red Crescent, children aged 8 – 16 from across the UAE will be able to attend free sports and activities camps in Dubai instead of being confined to cramped indoor spaces during the hot summer months, which is a growing issue across the UAE.

BOOST aims to reach out to low income earners who are unable afford to send their children to activity camps or take time off work to care for them during the school holidays. As a result, they have no choice but to leave their children inside at home, being too hot to play outside for many. For numerous children this can contribute to behavioural issues and can also cause tension within the family.

One of those children benefiting from the initiative this summer is 9-year old Chalana who lives with his mother Shama in Dubai. Last summer Tracy Fountain, the founder of BOOST, helped Shama place her son, Chalana, in a summer football camp as Shama was unable to afford it, which gave Tracy the idea for BOOST.

Speaking about how her family has already benefited from the

BOOST programme, Shama said: “Last year we were so luck that Tracy [Fountain] was able to help get Chalana a place at a football summer camp. I saw, first-hand, how being active during the school holidays helped Chalana. He became more of a sociable person and was once again was a happy boy.

“Parents like me, from lower earning families, never usually get the opportunity to send their children to summer camps and it’s now wonderful to see this programme happen. It will give so many children opportunities they never would have had. I would like to thank Tracy and the BOOST team for making this happen, not only for me and my son but for the hundreds of other families they are going to help this summer.”

Another child benefiting from BOOST this summer will be 9-year old Ilham who lives with his mother Ramsan and father Mohammed. Ilham, who will be attending a summer camp for the first time, is a keen footballer and very academic. He especially enjoys reading and playing outdoors.

Speaking about how this will change their summer for the better Ilham’s mother Ramsan, said: “This summer we are very fortunate to have the support of BOOST and are very grateful to the BOOST partners who have offered free places so that our children can attend. If it wasn’t for the camps and the support of BOOST Ilham would have to stay home as both my husband and I have to work 6 days a week. This summer Ilham will be able to keep fit and active, which is excellent for him but also great news for us as parents knowing that he is playing with other children and enjoying his summer in a fit, healthy and active way.”

To ensure all of the children enrolled into the programme are able to get to and from the summer camps safely BOOST has also secured a new transport partner: School Transport Services (STS) in association with New Balance.

“Ensuring that children get to and from their summer camp safely is just as important as attending. That’s why STS will be providing safe, reliable transportation to and from every child’s activities during these hot summer months. STS is proud to support BOOST and be part of such noble initiative.” Says, Col M. L. Augustine (Retd) Managing Director of STS.

BOOST, a voluntary-led activity programme, is supported by companies and individuals throughout the local community and aims to help low income families with children aged 8 – 16 years keep their kids fit, healthy and active during the hot summer holiday season, by offering free summer camp places to those who need it most. BOOST works in partnership with Dubai-based schools and charities to identify families in need of support. BOOST has already secured free places in summer camps, however, it’s also looking for businesses to come forward to provide much needed financial support.

BOOST Partners: FC Dubai, Spanish Soccer School, ICC Academy, Fit Republik, Farjam Foundation, Chill n Champ and Ace, Elite, It’s Just Football, M&S Sports Services, IFA, Dubai Holiday Camps, Kids Theatre Works and Diverse.

About STS:

School Transportation Services LLC (STS) provide transportation to over 70,000 students of 65+ schools across the UAE.