The winners of the 16th Children’s Writing Competition were announced at a prize giving ceremony held at Oman Avenues Mall.
There were three categories of participants as per the age groups - 8 - 10, 11 - 15 and 16 -18.
The 16th edition of Dar Al Atta’a Let’s Read Programme once again saw an enthusiastic group of participants.
Jane Jaffer, from Let’s Read, said, “This year, school children from 8 - 18 years of age were asked to write an essay, in English or Arabic, about friendship. We all know that friendship can have a huge impact on our mental health and well-being. A friend is someone who knows your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are. A real friend is someone who walks in when everyone else walks out. As Marcel Proust once said: ‘Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.’”
Jane said, “I believe friends hold up a mirror so that we can see ourselves in a more positive light.”
The judges received some heart-warming and uplifting entries which really portrayed true friendship. The essays not only described their friends’ appearance and characteristics but gave detailed examples of great acts of kindness. Friends who defended them when they were being bullied or sat by their bedside when they were sick. Friends who believed in them when they didn’t even believe in themselves. Friends who helped them with their studies or protected them from danger. Friends who sacrificed a fun time to stay with their friends when they needed them the most.
According to the organisers, the nine judges had a difficult task in assessing the hundreds of entries they received.
Ghazal Mohammed, Rawnaq Waleed and Ghaith al Salti won the first, second and third prize in 8-10 age group.
In the 11 - 15 age group Nour Aidorous took the first prize followed by Abdulaziz al Gumari and Makkya al Rashdi.
Layan al Mandheri came first in the age group of 16 to 18, with Sajad Alani in second place and Mozna al Busaidy in third place.
One of the judges, Mila Gabruck, commented on the quality of the writing and explained how difficult it was to choose the winners. “These entries, written by children and teenagers, reveal a complex inner world where friends are celebrated, offer emotional support, laughter and positive experiences but can also show loneliness, longing and sadness. Much more than short essays, these writings show us how deeply emotional and introspective these young writers can be, and how friendship is viewed as a much-needed source of strength and inspiration.
“It’s a great reminder for us adults not to dismiss the importance of childhood friendships and to take a moment to reflect on how blessed we are to call someone a friend,” she said.
Elizabeth al Sarhani has generously volunteered her services as a judge of the writing competition on many occasions over the past sixteen years. She said, “it was good to see more entries written in Arabic this year” and she added that “the writers have shown how it is possible to have a meaningful friendship whether it be with a parent, a family member, a school colleague or a pet.”
@lakshmioman
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