UAE firm to help build special care school

UAE-based Mubarak & Brothers Investments (MBI), a specialist in retail, real estate, industrial services and financial investments, will be collecting funds throughout Ramadan for the construction of a special care centre school in Al Bahia area of the capital Abu Dhabi. Launched under the patronage of Sheikha Shamma Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2008, the ‘Build a brick’ campaign has called upon for the first school to be built by the community for the community, just a few kilometres from Deerfields Mall, the flagship project of venture capital firm MBI. It is the first non-profit school (registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs) in the Middle East, which aims to provide specialised education for students with special educational needs and disabilities aged 4 to 24. MBI said its subsidiaries such as Deerfields Mall & Retailistic stores will also be roped in for the project. CEO Mohammed Al Haj said: "At present, there are 60 students, with a waiting list of over 140. Our aim is to help finish the new school in Al Bahia this year, which will accommodate up to 400 students." "As a group, we are very excited to support this campaign and we invite all our visitors and customers to be a part of this noble community movement," he noted. Deerfields Mall, a mega shopping destination located on the entrance of UAE capital, off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Highway (E11), will invite shoppers to support this noble initiative in the holy month, said the top official. With 80,000 sq m of prime Gross Leasable Area (GLA), Deerfields Mall boasts anchor stores Centrepoint, Carrefour, Homes R Us, Pan Emirates, Fabyland, Cine Royal, Burjeel Clinic and a large garden play area, Deerfields Mall now offers families exciting shopping, entertainment, leisure and health care options. "Shoppers can donate any denomination, even as little as Dh5, at Deerfields Mall or at any Retailistic store which includes Saraydan Café, adL, OXXO, Deerfields Nursery, TyrePlus, Autospa and One Stop Carwash in Abu Dhabi," stated Al Haj. "Deerfields Mall along with our Retailistic stores will be supporting the campaign ‘Building Hope, Brick by Brick’, by raising funds and engaging children in fun activities," he added. Through the month, the Mall will have giant digital screens with fun interactive games for children and the Ramadan Night Souk will be a must visit for the entire family with more than 30 local exhibitors’ said Banu Tas, VP, Asset Management & Retail, MBI. "With impressive Ramadan décor inside the mall and light motives on the mall façade, there is more on offer than just shopping,"