Good deed marks first anniversary

Friday morning is usually a time for relaxation, especially for us children. It’s time to indulge in sleep in the comfort of our homes. Who would get up early and head to a construction site that is full of heat and dust? Folks, we have been doing this for the past year now.

A few weeks ago, on Friday, May 24, it happened to be the first anniversary of Serve the Heroes, an initiative to help construction workers. We distributed refreshments to the workers on site.

Last year was extremely memorable for us. With a team of 10 to 15 children and parents, we visited a number of construction sites, such as the Heart of Sharjah construction project, Business Bay in Dubai and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road in Sharjah many times during the weekends. Apart from team members, individuals from several corporations have also supported our cause.

This time, on May 24, we visited Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road in Sharjah, where a big construction project is underway. Some new members joined the group as well. As usual, we provided fresh fruit, chilled juice and water bottles and packets of biscuits to each person working on the site, which we hoped would give them an instant boost of energy. Several supermarkets and group members had contributed the required items and we went to the site in the morning.

Children in the group were bursting with energy. When we handed over the items to the workers, the joy on their faces was worth witnessing.

Morale booster

They were awestruck that children were helping them. All of them shouted a big ‘thank you’ together, which boosted our morale too. The morning was well spent at the construction site. My heartfelt gratitude and special thanks goes to all the team members, as without everyone’s participation, this project would not have been successful.

Afterwards, we discussed the strategy for the next year. One member, Pawan, an engineer, suggested that we increase the strength of the team and invite more corporations to help the cause.

Arushi, a new member, was awestruck by the nobility of the cause. Mohit, another team member said, “When we are fast asleep in our houses we do not realise that so much is happening around us. It’s nice to serve the heroes.”

Nandita, an excellent orator, remarked, “Cement individually has no strength. Mixed with a simple substance like water it gives tremendous strength. Construction workers are like water - simple, but having great potential to create wonders.”

We are inspired and ready to work for years to come.

-The reader is an eighth grade student in Sharjah.

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