PHOTOGRAPHY A Delegation From HIPA Visits Indonesia, Part of the ‘Lakum’ Humanitarian Initiative

The humanitarian initiative ’Lakum‘ launched by the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) in 2016, was part of the 2018 campaign ‘Year of Zayed’ and aligned with the ‘Year of Tolerance’ in 2019, saw the promotion of the values of effective and influential social communication among children through the act of giving. This initiative was launched in partnership with Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), UAE Red Crescent and the Emirates Post Group (EmPost).

A delegation from HIPA headed by its Secretary General, His Excellency Ali Khalifa bin Thalith, visited several remote islands in Indonesia where the delegation distributed hundreds of ‘Lakum’ boxes that contained essential school supplies and entertaining games. The supplies were collected by thousands of students in the United Arab Emirates through their schools; for underprivileged children/students around the world and communicating positive messages that bring happiness and joy to the recipients.

The expedition, which lasted 10 days, included the Frewin Island, Sauwandarek Village - Meos Mansar, Piaynemo Islands (Lagoon Viewpoint) and Karawapop (Love Lake), all within the Raja Ampat District in West Papua. Hundreds of children greeted the HIPA delegation with their blissful hospitality and expressed their great joy at receiving the boxes, exchanged conversations with members of the delegation and introduced them to the place they call home.

His Excellency Ali Khalifa bin Thalith / Courtesy of HIPA

Ali Khalifa bin Thalith, said, “The humanitarian initiative ‘Lakum’ was inspired by the directive of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and the patron of HIPA, to contribute to the Year of Zayed with projects that reflect the approach the founder of the UAE had - a journey of goodness and generosity that encompassed the citizens and residents alike, as well as humanity in all parts of the world. The project works in an innovative way to promote the values of effective and influential social communication among children and developing empathy for their fellow humankind.”

Bin Thalith added, “We are proud to have completed and distributed over 10,000 Lakum boxes, with the help of our partners that are actively providing positive values in our society: Dubai Media Incorporation, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, UAE Red Crescent Authority and Emirates Post Group. Thanks to their support, we have been able to achieve Lakum’s goals and objectives.

We implemented the first phase of the project in the Emirati-Jordanian camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan, in addition to Yemen, Pakistan, and Greece, and we are currently in the second phase that includes Indonesia and other regions to be announced.”

HIPA visited Indonesia and distributed hundreds of ‘Lakum’ boxes / Courtesy of HIPA

HIPA visited Indonesia and distributed hundreds of ‘Lakum’ boxes / Courtesy of HIPA

HIPA visited Indonesia and distributed hundreds of ‘Lakum’ boxes / Courtesy of HIPA

Bin Thalith concluded his statement by inviting all schools in the United Arab Emirates to participate in this project by registering their schools via the official website www.lakum.ae.