The right course: School of life

A volunteer group is training children to stand up to school bullies, dress for success and sleep well, among other off-beat extra-curricular targets.

Instead of charging money for workshops, YOU asks children to "pay it forward by random acts of kindness".

After completing a course, which could be a drumming class or an anger management session, children as young as eight fill out a pledge form to be on their best behaviour.

Good deeds

"I walked my friend to her home because she was feeling giddy," said Tanya Awtani, 10.

The pupils are then asked to e-mail their good deeds to the group’s website, www.you-dubai.com. The deeds are revealed to their classmates to set an example, while the role models walk away with a certificate and a round of applause.

"My grandfather was hungry, so I brought him some food. I also put a blanket on my father who was taking a nap," said nine-year-old Mamik Mengharjani.

The "You" teams are working professionals who make time for the project.

"We’re evaluated by the children and their parents after each session. It feels good to work for them," said Devika Singh, a psychologist, who also hosts a radio talk show in Dubai.

"Emotional quotient is just as important as IQ [intelligence quotient]. Children need this kind of education, too. Research shows doing things selflessly for other people – not money or fame – brings real happiness."

One of the main goals of the non-profit group, Singh said, is to give children a chance to "speak freely" with each other as well as to an adult.