An Abu Dhabi-based student has developed a mobile application aimed at helping classmates manage stress and anxiety during difficult or uncertain situations, turning her own experience of fear into a community-focused digital solution.
Nakshatra Prem, a Grade 7 student at Abu Dhabi Indian School, created the app titled “Al Amal – The Hope”, designed to support students emotionally amid recent emergency alerts in the region.
Born and raised in the UAE, she said the country has always made her feel safe, but experiencing emergency alert signals for the first time left her unsettled. “I panicked when I first heard the alerts. It was something I had never experienced before, and it made me very worried,” she said.
Speaking with classmates, she realised many students were experiencing similar anxiety, which inspired her to build a tool that could provide reassurance and emotional support during such moments.
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Nakshatra said her aim was to use her computer skills for a positive impact. “I wanted to do something that could help students feel calm and reassured,” she said, adding that she hoped her work could benefit the wider school community.
She began developing the app on March 7 and completed the first version by March 15. This is her second app project, following an earlier initiative called “Star Tech Kidz”, a platform for children to showcase their talents.
“Al Amal – The Hope” focuses on emotional well-being and practical support. It includes calming tips for stressful moments, quick access to emergency contact numbers, and positive messages designed to reduce fear and anxiety. The app also features personal safety notes to help users feel more secure and in control during uncertain situations.
The app’s logo reflects its purpose, featuring calming colours, a heart symbol, and a child-like figure representing safety, care, and reassurance.
Nakshatra said she has already shared the app with classmates, and the feedback has been encouraging. “They told me it helped them feel more secure and less anxious, especially during emergency alerts,” she said.
She added that her goal is simple: to help students feel safe and reduce fear during stressful situations.
Currently, the app is available for Android users and can be downloaded free of cost, allowing students to access emotional support tools whenever needed
