Fourth grader gets school onboard to support the “Wanna Read?” initiative

A team of six students from Canadian International School, Abu Dhabi, visited the “Wanna Read?” room in Latifa Hospital, Dubai, to donate over 60 books for “Wanna Read?”.

“Wanna Read?” is a division of the H.H Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian & Scientific Foundation and was founded by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. 

Sheikha Shamma personally greeted the students, Xander Russell, Mohamed Al Subaihi, Kaylan Hodsgon, Elissa McIntyre, Chuc An and Sasha Russell when they presented the books to the reading room at the hospital.

Sheikha Shamma stated: “I am very proud of these students for using their entrepreneurial skills to donate books to children in hospital. During their visit they read to the young patients and I was particularly moved to see the happiness this generated. I believe it is important that the younger generation recognise the value of giving back to their community, and the response I saw was heartwarming”.

Xander Russell, the leader of the group, wanted to find a charity for his class to support at their school Spring Market when he heard about the “Wanna Read?” initiative from his mother. The enthusiastic student found out all he could to put together a PowerPoint presentation for his class. 

He was overjoyed by the reaction he received. Supported by the school administration, his class teacher and students from two other grade 4 classes, the efforts of Xander and his classmates proved to be a huge success.

“I am excited that Sheikha Shamma was here to meet and spend time with us,” said Xander.

His best friend and another ardent “Wanna Read?” supporter, Mohamed Al Subaihi, added, “Can you believe that we just met Sheikha Shamma? Five of us out of all the students from our school, how cool is that?” 

Kaylan Hodsgon nodded in enthusiasm and agreement. 

Chuc An said, “It is nice that children have reading rooms in hospitals. There are children with various illnesses here, when they read they hopefully wouldn’t think too much about their illness.” 

Elissa McIntyre chimed in with equal excitement about having met the inspirational Sheikha Shamma and said, ““Wanna Read?” is a great initiative that allows children to read and learn even if they are unwell and in a hospital”. 

The children shared various ideas about expanding the reading rooms and mentioned that it would be fun to get their favourite authors, actors and celebrities to come in for reading sessions. Names on the list included Robert Downey Jr., JK Rowling, Rihanna, and Sheikha Shamma.