Dubai The Dubai office of a global charity is bringing some joy to the seafaring community this Ramadan.
Angel Appeal, an arm of The Mission to Seafarers, a British-based global charity for seafarers, is distributing 4,200 health and food packs at four ports in the UAE this month – the Jebel Ali Port, Sharjah Creek, Dhow Wharfage and Dubai Creek.
“We are pleased that many companies and individuals are coming together to contribute gifts to seafarers in the UAE.
“Dubai has been built on trade and these men are literally our soldiers. It is our duty to show our appreciation to them and I am glad that communities in Dubai are coming out to help seafarers,” said Theresa Dommett, fundraiser for The Mission to Seafarers.
As XPRESS visited the dhow wharfage in Dubai Creek, we came upon a bunch of seamen rushing to get their packs. “I know this lady. She is very kind and comes every year in Ramadan to give us something,” said Murad Ali, a Pakistani seafarer working at the harbour, thanking Theresa.
GIFTS MAKE OUR DAY
“It is hard work for us, even more so during Ramadan as we observe the fast. I really miss my family back home and gifts like this make our day,” he said.
Two other men, Mohammad Iqbal and Mohammad Irfan, come towards Theresa wearing an Angel Appeal T-shirt. “See I still have your T-shirt which you gave me last year. Only difference, it was white then, now it is black and dirty,” Iqbal tells Theresa.
As the packs are distributed, the men start opening their gifts with excitement. “It has a deodorant, soap bar, a soap box, toothpaste, toothbrush, a nail clipper, razor, cap and an Angel Appeal T-shirt with all our contact details on it,” said Paul Burt, regional director, Gulf and South Asia, The Angel Appeal.
“The T-shirt is perhaps one of the most important gifts that we can give these men as it carries all our details and they can get in touch with us whenever they need to. As you know, in other countries the seafaring community has a union of their own which handles their problems. Here in the UAE they come to us for any help,” said Burt.
The mission distributes around 14,000 gifts a year to seamen in the UAE. “We anticipate this year to be bigger as we have been getting an overwhelming response from companies and individuals who want to share something for these seamen,” said Theresa.
This Ramadan, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has joined hands with Angel Appeal to distribute 400 food packs for seafarers working in the Dhow Harbour.
“We are fortunate to work near the harbour and we can see how hard these men work everyday. We always wanted to do something for them and therefore decided to contribute to the Angel Appeal charity. Our food pack contains uncooked rice, lentils, cooking oil, a masala curry packet, dates, a mug and an Angel Appeal T-shirt.
“Every boat has a kitchen so the men can cook their own food,” said Annelies Hodge, senior corporate social responsibility and internal communications manager at the Dubai Chamber.
