The joy of giving: Why they volunteer

Dubai: With 2017 named the ‘Year of Giving’ in the UAE, promoting the spirit of volunteerism and strengthening the concept of serving the nation through new generations, are among the main themes to be adopted, announced President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, earlier this year.

He also highlighted strengthening social responsibility in the private sector, pointing out that the spirit of volunteerism and specialised voluntary programmes will enable companies to provide genuine services to the UAE society.

On the other hand, stay-at-home mums, working women, and community groups have also adopted the theme of giving back.

Many Emiratis and expatriates are taking initiative to contribute to different humanitarian causes by forming charity groups and initiatives to help needy children and orphans in the country and around the world. Gulf News talked to three volunteers about their charitable journeys and the importance of contributing to the various humanitarian crisis.

Stephanie Sutherland, American, 43, Dubai resident of 6 years, Mother of two

“I run Dubai Mums Helping Hands (DMHH), which outfits our labour community with donated items from food to hygiene products. For the last year, we have run a fruit and vegetable bus into the camps as part of the SMARTLIFE SMARTDISTRIBUTION.

Our community has been successful at gathering and donating over 20,000 bag of fresh fruits and veggies into our labourers hands. The desire to help others feel cared for and a part of a larger community is the goal of DMHH.

The gratitude received from our workers and the opportunity to get to know them is part of our desire to continue. It’s important for us to show how thankful we are to have our labour community feel a part of a larger whole, that we all rotate as one and that we are grateful that they are here.

Around 95 per cent of our workers are here supporting their children in education, and education is key in creating positive change. We promote care for our workers, so they feel positive in their opportunity to persevere. Last Friday, we just finished a five week program with our fruit and vegetable bus. Next month, we will start planning a Ramadan program alongside some of our partners, and collect necessary items to support our community. Our labour community holds a special place in my heart – I have yet to know a greater feeling or more gratitude that is sometimes only communicated with a smile or a handshake.”

Aishwarya Joshi, Indian, Dubai resident of 11 years

“I believe each one of us has the ability to change something positively around us. Volunteering gives you a taste of this strength inside you and introduces you to the change that can take place through your involvement and commitment. However, just volunteering is not an end in itself but a means to an end.

Bringing about a sustainable change is a full time job and needs time and perseverance at many levels. I am the founder of ‘The Lighthouse Cohort a Dubai-based social enterprise that supports charitable initiatives through the channels of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

We work as advisors for corporates and NGOs to deliver maximum social value and return on investment around five trending causes. These include building peace and non-violence in conflict areas, providing access to clean and renewable energy for needy, supporting humanitarian architecture and emergency relief, reduction in poverty, and sustainable livelihoods in remote and conflict areas.

We look forward to a green and plastic free Ramadan in labor camps. Whilst supporting the labor camps with useful gifts through Smart distribution – an initiative by Smartlife Foundation during Ramadan, we have formally initiated the message of replacing plastic goody bags with eco-friendly jute or non- woven bags. It is extremely important to understand that any cause is the ultimate goal.

Charity is a great starting point and one of the strong means to achieve that goal. Especially in today’s model of the world, if a community or corporate makes well informed decisions and perceives charity as an initial social investment with tangible and intangible returns, it will go a long way to support the 17 Global sustainable goals to be achieved before 2030.

Barabara Evans, Housewife, 60+, Dubai resident of 6 years

“About two years ago, I read on Facebook about a 99 year old lady who made one dress each day and sent them to orphanages in Africa. This story filled me with motivation and I thought I would love to do something like that in Dubai. So I took myself off to Satwa with just Dh200 and bought as much fabric as I could carry. I then put a shout out on the Green Community ladies’ page, asking if anyone had any fabric or bed linen to donate, so that I can make some clothes for girls and boys orphanages and needy children around the World. These kids usually get hand me downs or second hand clothes and they deserve to have something made that’s Brand New and is theirs forever.

Now, I am the founder of Rags2Riches Dubai, which is not a charity but accepts donations of materials and unwanted dress fabrics and bed linen. These donations are then turned into shirts, shorts, trousers, dresses, skirts, blouses, fleecy hoody tops, tank tops, tracksuit bottoms, and fluffy toys.

Every month, we send the clothes to different places with people in need. I like to help as many kids who just don’t have enough clothes. We all take enough out of life, so try and put the same amount back, or more. We need as many people to be part of our mission, if you can sew, knit, make toys, or give us an hour a week, we can make a huge difference in many children’s lives.”