From the Junior School
An Educational Visit to Dubai Heritage Village!
By Merlyn Vieira, Junior Reporter for the Light House
“Self-study, Self-exploration, Self-empowerment. These are the virtues of a great education” — Suman Rai.
This has indeed been the focus of the Junior School, where children are provided opportunities to go beyond the text and explore and study from experience. A Visit to ‘Heritage Village’ was organised on April 14th for the students of Grade 4. The objective of this trip was to give an opportunity for students to understand the rich culture and heritage of UAE.
At the village, the students were able to experience many different Arabic traditions. Many children got a chance to talk to some Arabic ladies who were making the traditional sweet, ‘Al Luqaimat’, a Middle Eastern dish and the simplest of all Arabic sweets. Many children bought and enjoyed these Arabic delights. The children also had a chance to see the old Arabic houses with the traditional majlis (common sitting place), the old utensils and other household articles used in these houses. It gave them a glimpse of the lifestyle of the Arabic community in the yester years.
There was a small museum which showcased many Arabic items including the pearls collected from pearl-diving which used to be a traditional profession of the ancient times. A few teachers and children interacted with an old Arab offering dates and relished the kahwah (Arabic Coffee), which he offered. Children captured the interesting views of wind towers and date palms. Many children also bought the traditional items like Arabic bags, scarves and hand fans from the shops inside the village.
Overall, it was an enriching educational visit, with the children being exposed to the heritage and culture of the people of this land. As Ragini Sharma, a Grade 4 student commented, “It was indeed an interesting visit, as we learnt many new things about the people of UAE. This visit will help us to know and interact with them better.” Mrs. Chitra Murugesan, a Grade 4 teacher expressed her views. “This visit has been very informative and is an extended learning for Arabic and Social Studies.”
About the Reporter:
Merlyn Vieira is a Junior Reporter for the Light House, currently studying in The Indian High School, Dubai.
