Kalimat Foundation for Children’s Empowerment (KF), the Sharjah-based non-profit organisation that seeks to ensure the basic right of every child to read and to have access to books, and Etihad Airways, have signed an memorandum of understanding to facilitate the delivery books and other educational materials to underprivileged children around the world, in the presence of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Chairperson of KF.

The agreement was signing between Khaled Al Mehairbi, Senior Vice President of Abu Dhabi Airport Operations for Etihad Airways, and Amna Al Mazmi, Manager of KF, on the side lines of KF’s participation at the 36th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2017).

Etihad Airways will support KF to set up libraries in places that are hit by natural disasters and wars, helping them realise their goal of making society more caring and understanding through literacy and exposure to books.

Al Mehairbi, said: "We welcome this agreement, which aims to coordinate the concerted efforts of the two sides to serve the most unprivileged communities at the global level. Mutually beneficial for both parties, it furthers the achievements of the UAE’s strategy on social responsibility towards the nation and the world. The dedication of our wise leadership to supporting those events and initiatives is appreciated, especially in the Year of Giving 2017."

Al Mazimi stated: "At Kalimat Foundation, we believe that books are the fastest means to successful social development, and reading is the light that turns the misery of ignorance to enlightenment, hope, imagination and creativity across communities in the world. Our core focus is to ensure that children have access to books irrespective of their backgrounds, societies, development level, political climate, and any other factor. Reading is a child’s basic right, and one of the best ways to ensure young minds flourish and succeed."

The agreement stipulates that KF will provide a collection of books and libraries to schools in line with the ‘Etihad Airways Group Initiative to Support Global Education’. Moreover, volunteers from KF will participate in all cultural events by Etihad to empowering and encouraging children to read in the UAE and beyond.

On its part, Etihad Airways will transport KF’s books and libraries for free to target destinations whenever possible.