As part of the #Shitana_in_Hatta festival, organized under the #Winter_Hatta initiative and executed by “Brand Dubai,” the creative arm of the Dubai Media Office, a special initiative called “Little Merchant” was launched in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprises Development. The aim is to instill entrepreneurial concepts among children and introduce them to the fundamentals of commercial interaction in an engaging educational environment.
This initiative is designed to support emerging businesses and encourage the younger generation to gain hands-on experience in the business world by providing children the platform to present their ideas and products to the public. This approach helps to enhance communication skills, creative thinking, and self-confidence.
The initiative included four small projects led by children aged between 8 and 13, showcasing a variety of interests and creative ideas. Projects featured included “Lovely Clicks” in photography by student Latifa Al Budawi, “Little Butterflies,” which specializes in accessories by students Reem and Jude Al Dahmani, “Lemon Champion” focusing on stationery by student Khalifa Al Kaabi, and “Creative Art90,” covering fashion and stationery by student Hamid Al Bloshi.
Empowering Children
Amina Tahir, a member of the organizing committee for the #Shitana_in_Hatta festival, stated that the “Little Merchant” initiative is one of the exceptional projects the festival aims to provide. She emphasized the festival’s commitment to empowering children and offering them opportunities to discover their abilities and skills from an early age. The “Little Merchant” initiative provides a practical experience that combines entertainment and learning, helping to cultivate an early understanding of entrepreneurship and self-reliance within a supportive community environment.
Tahir added that this experience offers children a genuine space to express their ideas, aiding them in gaining communication skills and self-confidence through direct interaction with the audience while showcasing their products in an organized manner that simulates real business settings.
Strategic Direction
Ahmed Al Rum, Acting Executive Director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, affirmed that the foundation’s involvement in this initiative aligns with its strategic goals to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem and fulfill the objectives of Dubai’s economic agenda D33. He stated that the “Little Merchant” initiative serves as an essential practical platform for introducing children to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and equipping them with project management skills while interacting with the public. This contributes to preparing a conscious generation capable of developing ideas and turning them into sustainable future projects.
Al Rum explained that the initiative reflects Dubai’s vision of investing in human potential from an early stage and fostering a culture of innovation and initiative among emerging generations through practical experiences that help build their skills and enhance their readiness for the future.
The #Shitana_in_Hatta festival is one of the prominent winter events in Dubai, taking place alongside the stunning Liem Lake amidst the picturesque mountainous landscape of Hatta. It offers a comprehensive community program that includes cultural and recreational activities, workshops, and family experiences, enhancing Hatta’s position as a winter tourist destination that merges nature, local identity, and community innovation.