Dubai: Bukra wants to create a sense of community in the UAE, and it’s starting small.
That is, it’s starting with children.
Bukra, a non-governmental, non-profit organisation based in the UAE, has largely focused its community-building efforts on disadvantaged children, holding two events for orphans in April and visiting abandoned children in Latifa Children’s Hospital in August.
Ahmad Abugosh, Bukra’s founder and board chairperson, says: “For me personally, I have a very vivid memory of my childhood, and I know how powerful a small act of kindness can be in a child’s life. I love helping underprivileged children because I feel that all children deserve to have a good childhood, since that forms who they are as people for the rest of their lives.”
Abugosh started Bukra, which means “tomorrow” in Arabic, because he wanted to create a sense of community in the UAE that he feels is sometimes missing.
“I wanted to start an organisation were people would have a place to go to so they can donate their free time to a good cause...The UAE is an amazing place, but people always complain about how it’s too materialistic and there is a lack of a sense of community, especially for expats. I thought, why not change that by bringing some humanity into our busy lives,” he says.
Bukra is currently in the process of registering with the Community Development Authority in Dubai. The organisation is looking to raise money to be able to rent office space, so as to qualify for a social club license.
Bukra has held three events since its beginning in November 2011, and it has also participated in events hosted by other organisations like Flea 4 Charity and Adopt-a-Camp.
One of the biggest events Bukra held was the Orphan’s Fun Day in April 2012, which saw more than 300 orphans from all over the UAE come to the American University of Sharjah for a day of fun activities.
“We played games, served them food, watched a movie with them, took them outside to run around and then we gave them all toys and prizes. It was an amazing event that brought a smile to the faces of dozens of orphans and volunteers,” says Abugosh.
Abugosh’s desire to bring a smile to faces of disadvantaged children is shared by Bukra’s volunteers and board members.
Ameer Siddique, a senior student at the American University of Sharjah and Bukra treasurer, says that his most memorable moment working with the organisation was the Orphan’s Fun Day. “I would never be able to forget the faces of the orphans who were like my little brothers and sisters when we were having a good time playing together,” he said in an email.
“The experience has helped me improve myself personally and professionally. I hope that as Bukra we will be able to instil the true idea of a ‘community’ in the minds of people in this country,” he added.
Noor Alshawa, a third-year interior design student at the American University of Sharjah and member of Bukra, has also been inspired by the organisation’s message and the people who work with it. “What makes Bukra stand out from all other organisations I know, is that it’s run by youth, who come from diverse backgrounds but share the same dream,” she says. “The energy, passion, motivation and talents of the young people who work in it makes it one of a kind.”
Bukra is looking forward to holding more events with children at schools and hospitals. More details are available about Bukra at www.betterbukra.com.
