The Cultural Office of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has actually signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) to facilitate the launch of the first session of the 'Selah' Art program, that will capitalise on the restorative effect of art to help orphans 'connect' to their innovative spirits, and consequently further supporting 'The UAE Initiative for Connection with Orphans and Minors' that was introduced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai to provide support for children without families.

The MOU was signed by Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Cultural Office and Tayeb Al Rais, Secretary General at Awqaf & Minors Affairs Foundation.

The year-long 'Selah' Art Program, which comprises of a series of fun, inspirational and healing art workshops for youngsters between the ages of 4 - 9 and 10 - 16 years, will be led by Emirati volunteer artists to encourage developing their art education skills and improving volunteerism spirit in them.

On the occasion, Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Cultural Office stated, "We are happy to reinforce our cooperation with Awqaf, who share our confidence in the value of arts-based knowing in the well-rounded advancement of children. The 'Selah' Art Program reflects the unwavering commitment of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of Dubai Women Establishment, and partner of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, UAE; to spread out positive effect of the arts in the lives of all members of the community, which transcends gender, age and citizenship. 'Selah' will not just guarantee these kids of their value and value within our neighborhoods by purchasing the advancement of their cognitive and imaginative abilities, but will allow then to benefit for the recovery therapy of art.".

For his part, Tayeb Al Rais, Secretary General at Awqaf & Minors Affairs Foundation revealed his appreciation for the community assistance directed towards such a vital humanitarian cause, that will help with the advancement and rehabilitation of susceptible orphan children. He kept by stating that healing programs such as the 'Selah' Art Program are crucial to providing these kids with the emotional and mental healing needed for them to turn into well-rounded people within society. He included, "This contract shows our ongoing assistance to The Cultural Office of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to support our nationwide 'UAE Initiative for Connection with Orphans and Minors', which is in line with the teachings of Islam and shows the steady belief of our sensible leadership that the advancement of one group in society, shows the positive improvement of our whole society. Moroever, resolving the developmental requirements of little ones, make sure that the happy global design of philanthropy and humanitarianism, that is characteristic to Emirati culture and tradition, will survive on through our future generations. ".

The 'Selah' Art treatment workshop schedule will commence from mid-November 2016 through different orphanages located across the UAE, thereby making sure the accomplishment of the programs wanted objective to benefit orphans and minors in all 7 Emirates. Amongst them will be workshops held in the Family Village for Orphans which was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as the first model village of its kind worldwide. The annual program will then culminate in an art exhibition that showcases the art work produced during the workshops, consequently advancing their sense of the value of creativity and build their self-confidence.

In preparation for these sessions, The Cultural Office just recently organised a special teaching workshop for the UAE artists that are getting involved as workshop trainers in the Program. The 3-day workshop assisted enhance that teaching skills of the artists and increase their practical knowledge of the best ways to apply arts and play treatment while dealing with orphan youngsters.

This 'Selah' Art Program declares Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's steadfast belief that in the crucial role of the Arts in the complete and all-sided development of kids. Various researches have actually shown the links in between arts-based learning and human development. Previous research studies have linked arts involvement to cognitive development and academic abilities, consisting of the strengthening creativity skills. Meaningful Arts Therapy, including painting, has been linked to favorable social outcomes, including total engagement in school, and enhanced neighborhood engagement and pro-social activities.

Her Highness Sheikha Manal's undertaking of this special cause is borne from her firm belief that kinds of humanitarian work are of the highest importance as they form the foundation of a developing and prospering neighborhood. Genuinely visionary in her encourage of local, local and international humanitarian causes, Her Highness holds the title of Ambassador for Dubai Cares. as she dealt with raising awareness amongst Emirati women about the Dubai Cares initiative, and led a campaign to assist under-educated girls "break the barriers of ignorance and darkness of illiteracy" and achieve their right to knowledge. Likewise, in 2013 The Al Manal Initiative was developed by Her Highness Sheikha Manal to trigger humanitarian work in your area and regionally, and to entrench the UAE's values that improve the value of humanitarian work. Every year, the Al Manal effort offer activities and programs at regional and worldwide levels to serve various issues in society, including education, health, nutrition, child and family, along with social and awareness programmes.