Ranches Primary School (RPS), one of the leading British curriculum community schools in Dubai, is hosting its annual Ramadan Souk, bringing pupils, parents, and staff together to assemble and distribute 1,100 care bags to local community workers during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Taking place from February 16th to 20th, the Ramadan Souk is now in its fifth year and has grown significantly since it began as a small project collecting around 100 bags. The event has evolved into a whole-school effort, reflecting both the growth of the school and the deepening engagement of its families.
While inspired by the values of Ramadan, the Souk brings together pupils and parents from all cultural and religious backgrounds to prepare care bags containing essential food and hygiene items.As a British curriculum school in the UAE, Ranches Primary School places strong emphasis on helping pupils understand and celebrate the culture and traditions of the nation, reinforcing universal values of kindness, generosity, gratitude, empathy,and community responsibility.
Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Steve Arnold, Principal of Ranches Primary School, said:
“TheRamadan Souk is proudly a celebration of the UAE’s culture and values, while also bringing learning to life for our pupils. Through educational sessions, storytelling activities and assembling the care bags themselves, children experience the spirit of Ramadan through a collective act of compassion and generosity. As a British curriculum community school, we believe it is important that children both celebrate and learn fromthe culture of the country they call home, understand the value of giving back and see the impact of their efforts firsthand.”
At the heart of the initiative is a carefully designed educational experience. The school’s library, Media Hub and Innovation Hub are transformed into an immersive Souk environment, where pupils take part in a structured journey to learn about Ramadan and the importance of giving. Each class begins with an educational session introducing the meaning of the Holy Month, followed by interactive activity stations linked to subjects such as science, social studies, moral education, Islamic Studies, and Arabic.
Pupils then visit a storytelling tent, where parent volunteers read age-appropriate stories about kindness and generosity, before moving into a supermarket-style Souk experience where they select essential items and assemble the care packages themselves.
Throughout the journey, pupils carry a Ramadan Souk passport, which guides them through each stage of the experience and encourages them to reflect on what they have learned. After completing their visit, they return to class to share their thoughts on themes such as gratitude, community, and the importance of giving from the heart.
Parents also play a central role in the initiative, volunteering to help set up the Souk, support activities, read stories, assist with packing, and help with the distribution of the care bags at the start of Ramadan.
The care bags are being distributed to cleaners, gardeners, security and maintenance teams, delivery drivers, and other essential workers who support the surrounding neighbourhood throughout the year. Supported by partners including King’s College Hospital, who are providing reusable bags and basic health checks during the distribution days, the initiative has become a key annual event in the school calendar.
This year’s Ramadan Souk has made a strong impression on both pupils and parents involved.Archie,a pupil shared: “In RPS, Ramadan Souk is not just a community for Muslims. We make sure everyone is cared for and everyone feels part of the community.”
Siobhan,a parent volunteeradded: “What a wonderful initiative the Ramadan Souk has been. I personally have watched this idea grow and develop over the last four years into something really amazing. This event brings our community together when parents, students and teachers are also keen to help out and give in the spirit of Ramadan. It’s been a real pleasure to be involved.”
