الشارقة 24:
In a continued effort to develop children’s abilities and enhance their skills across various fields, “Children of Sharjah,” part of the “Quarter Century Foundation for Leader and Innovator Development,” executed a comprehensive range of high-quality programmes and activities during the first half of 2026. This initiative exemplifies their commitment to preparing and empowering a generation of aware children equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet future demands.
Throughout this period, the foundation contributed to the implementation of over 73 programmes and initiatives, benefiting more than 7,209 children aged 6 to 12. Among these, 66 specialized programmes engaged 4,560 participants, spanning the arts, sports, sciences, technology, literature, languages, life skills, and theatre. This comprehensive educational experience focused on talent exploration, creativity development, and enhancing leadership qualities in children.
Enriching Experiences and Talent Development
The arts pathway featured a variety of creative workshops that garnered significant engagement, including photography sessions in collaboration with the “Fann” Foundation, pottery painting with the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, and workshops such as “Imprints of My Heritage” and Ebru art. These activities contributed greatly to nurturing artistic sensibilities and innovation among the children.
In the realm of sports, participants undertook diverse training experiences in horseback riding, judo, taekwondo, and swimming, alongside professional swimming programmes and sports incubators designed to enhance their physical capabilities and motor skills.
Meanwhile, the literature and languages segment offered a series of cultural and educational workshops, including “A Journey with the Qur’an” in partnership with the Sharjah Quran and Sunnah Foundation, as well as “Among the Stars,” “Diaries,” and “Digital Stories.” Furthermore, reading workshops aimed at improving children’s reading and expressive skills were also conducted.
In the sciences and technology domain, children participated in specialized programmes such as the “Common Programme,” “Exploration and Scientific Experiments Journey,” and “Coding Adventures,” which fostered scientific thinking, innovation skills, and the use of modern technologies.
Additionally, personal and professional skills were acquired through life skills workshops that included creatives such as Kokedama art. Children learned innovative agricultural techniques through hands-on workshops in carpentry and cooking, alongside adventure series. Training programmes for members of the “Children’s Council of Sharjah” focused on enhancing dialogue, communication, and effective participation in discussions regarding current issues and ideas.
Moreover, activities in theatre, performing arts, and music were provided alongside seasonal programmes, camps, and collaborative projects with Quarter Century institutions.
Community Events and Competitive Participation
On the events front, the foundation organized seven notable initiatives in the first half, attracting over 2,709 children. Highlights included the “Sharjah Children’s Festival,” the “Half of Sha’ban” event, the “Fun Cart,” and the “Zayed Day for Humanitarian Work,” alongside community meetings and educational initiatives promoting national and social values.
In terms of competition, around 133 children participated in 12 local and international awards and contests, securing nine medals. Among these, they notably excelled in the Taekwondo Federation Cup, the Judo Federation Cup, the Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Award for Childhood Creativity, and various other local and international competitions.
Khoulah Al-Huwai: Quality Programmes that Cultivate Children’s Talents and Broaden Their Knowledge
In this context, Khoulah Sharif Al-Huwai, Director of the “Children of Sharjah” Foundation, affirmed that the achievements during the first half of the year reflect the foundation’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality programmes that meet children’s needs and contribute to building their personalities and enhancing their capabilities across various domains.
She stated, “We strive to create an inspiring educational environment that provides children with genuine opportunities to discover their talents, develop their skills, and experience various activities that enhance creative thinking and team spirit. We believe that investing in children is an investment in the future of society, which is why we are keen to offer innovative programmes that meet the aspirations of new generations and open wider horizons for learning and innovation.”
Furthermore, she noted that the results achieved by participants in “Children of Sharjah” in various events and competitions reflect the quality of the programmes offered and serve as motivation to continue developing initiatives and activities throughout the second half of the year. This will further enhance children’s presence in local and international platforms, enabling them to achieve even greater accomplishments.
In conclusion, she extended her sincere gratitude and appreciation to parents, recognising them as essential partners in the journey of the “Children of Sharjah” Foundation, alongside their success partners from governmental and private entities. She emphasized that their support and collaboration form a crucial pillar for achieving a sustainable impact in developing and empowering children.