Santa comes to town with gifts

Dubai: Christmas cheer was brought to the streets of Dubai on Wednesday, when three expatriate women visited various construction sites bearing gifts.

Fiona Day, Preeti Bindra and Reesha Kumar, who were all wearing Santa hats, delivered parcels to hundreds of workers in the Tecom area of the city.

The gifts were collected from various drop-off points in Emirates Hills and Umm Suqeim after an appeal went out on Facebook and a popular internet forum. Hundreds of presents were donated to the cause, which was held under the title DubaiShares.

Fiona said: "Every morning I drive my daughter to nursery I pass a man who sits on a little stool at the exit of The Lakes. He has the warmest smile and waves to me every day. I just thought with Christmas coming I really wanted do something to help those who aren't as fortunate as me.

"I put a message on ExpatWoman.com asking people to donate gifts such as toiletries, clothing, biscuits and DVDs that I could hand over to construction workers. They don't have much money and their families live far away from the UAE; it makes me feel quite emotional.

"School children around the city have also been wrapping up presents. The expressions on the workers' faces when receiving their parcels have made my Christmas. These guys have probably never had this and it has made their day and maybe even their year. I look at all the construction around Dubai that these guys have built. If I can just give a little something back it feels good."

As word spread quickly around the construction sites that Santa's helpers were nearby, hundreds of workers began to form orderly queues to receive their present; each and every one grateful for the small gift bestowed on them.

A worker from India said: "I am really happy to receive this gift; it's such a surprise. Quite a few Christians live in my worker's accommodation so we will be celebrating Christmas. I'm going to open my parcel in my room tonight."

Good thing

Another worker from Pakistan said: "Inshallah, this is a very good thing. My fate will determine the gift that I receive."

As the volume of presents went down rapidly a Bangladeshi worker said: "If you promise to come back next Christmas with more presents I promise to work even harder next year."

An Indian worker added: "This is my first ever Christmas present. Merry Christmas everybody!"