(MENAFN- DFWAC) Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 19 November 2025
In conjunction with the International Children’s Day, the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) is launching an innovative interactive experience by transforming the story “The Pencil Who Found Himself” into a living space that gives children the opportunity to discover their talents and express themselves through interaction and play. This initiative is brought to life in collaboration with the Dubai Courts, as a silver sponsor, and with the support of Majid Al Futtaim, which provided the venue at City Centre Mirdif in support of the foundation’s child and family focused programmes.
The experience is based on the story “The Pencil Who Found Himself”, first launched by DFWAC in 2023. The narrative follows a pencil on a quest to discover its unique talent, and aims to instill in children the values of self-acceptance, self-confidence, and awareness of the dangers of bullying. The DFWAC has consistently utilized this story over the years in its school and community initiatives. Its success is rooted in its ability to employ accessible, familiar language, making it a highly effective and universally understood awareness tool for children.
Moving beyond the printed page, the story will be presented as a live, four-day event from November 20-23, 2025, accessible in both Arabic and English. The experience is designed for engagement, offering fun activities such as character meet-and-greets, story readings, a "word-finding" challenge, and mug-coloring workshops featuring motivational quotes. The event will welcome the public alongside a special visit from 80 students and will include complimentary giveaways for all young attendees.
Her Excellency Sheikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director-General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, confirmed that the event represents an effective model of learning through play and of communicating the DFWAC’s messages in an interactive way. She added: “We celebrate International Children’s Day with an experience that redefines the concept of story-telling, so that the child becomes a participant, not only a reader. The story ‘The Pencil Who Found Himself’ teaches children that their difference is the source of their strength, and that every child has a unique space for self-expression and valuing his or her individuality. Turning the story into a live experience builds on the foundation’s efforts to promote mental well-being and prevent bullying through innovative methods that are close to the child’s world and emotional experience.”

She added: “DFWAC plays a pivotal role in engaging all members of the community families, children, schools, and supporting entities, because we believe that protecting and caring for the child is a shared responsibility that requires integrated roles. We extend thanks and appreciation to Dubai Courts for their generous support that helped to expand the educational and humanitarian impact of the initiative, and to Majid Al Futtaim for hosting the platform and highlighting the role of the Foundation in employing creative means to empower children.”
On his part, H.E. Prof. Dr Saif Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director of Dubai Courts, expressed pride in the initiative: “Our observance of International Children’s Day should transform into tangible initiatives that help raise children’s awareness and strengthen them. Our support for the event ‘The Pencil Who Found Himself’ stems from our belief that interactive stories can instil values of tolerance, respect and acceptance, and empower families to create a safe environment that protects children and safeguards their rights. We are proud of our partnership with the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children in this initiative, which carries real educational and psychological impact.”
Commenting on the matter, Mr Fouad Mansour Sharaf, General Manager – Shopping Centres, UAE, at Majid Al Futtaim Real Estate, said: “We are delighted to provide support for this important initiative that highlights the importance of empowering and educating children, and providing spaces that inspire them to discover themselves within a safe and stimulating environment. Our participation in this event stems from Majid Al Futtaim’s ongoing commitment to give back to the communities in which we operate and to instil human values in emerging generations.”
The event continues to welcome children and families for four days, offering an integrated educational and recreational experience that enhances awareness, supports mental well-being, and strengthens the Foundation’s presence in the community through effective partnerships and innovative initiatives serving children and families, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to engaging the entire community in awareness and humanitarian work.

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