Bettering lives, one project at a time

1.1578277-2511588075 — George Itty Cleaning Turtles 2

Abu Dhabi: Volunteerism gives people, especially students, an enhanced sense of how a society integrates and functions in a empathic manner, volunteer organisations say.

It also helps young people acquire a character-building spirit of giving.

Nahtam, one such volunteer organisation in Abu Dhabi, seeks to channel the energy of youngsters into volunteering.

George Itty, co-founder and CEO, says volunteering was a family tradition. “It’s in my DNA,” he says. “Both my father and grandfather are into this. Even my mother is part of a charity organisation in India.”

Nahtam, which means ‘We Care’, is currently shedding light on water and energy conservation with its programmes of Bank Al Kahraba (Power Bank) and Bank Almiyah (Water Bank). Volunteers for the organisation visit malls demonstrating smartphone apps, which elaborate on ways to conserve these resources.

Itty started off as a volunteer at the age of eight by observing his parents and grandparents prepare food for the less fortunate.

Itty has passed on the art of selflessness to his children. His son in the UK is developing a way to enable buildings to convert solar power into energy.

There have been unforgettable moments in his journey. Once, Itty gifted a T-shirt to a 70-year-old Syrian man, who started to cry as he had never been gifted anything in his life.

The value of giving, Itty says, is not about money, but about making the world a more caring place.

Itty cleans the barnacles off turtles when he goes fishing on weekends because too much of a build-up can kill them.

Saeed Al Junaibi, secretary of the Emirates Red Crescent volunteer department, says the spirit of volunteerism peaks during Ramadan.

Campaigns include distributing iftar packets to people at stop lights. Another initiative is to give away food to the poor, known as Faster’s Iftar, Al Junaibi says.

‘Colouring Their Lives’ is an initiative that involves volunteers helping needy families. It includes going to their houses and inspecting if groceries are needed or if the house needs painting.

Another initiative called ‘Delighting Patients’ gives volunteers the opportunity to help the ill and fulfil their wishes, he adds.

Every October, Emirates Red Crescent hosts a platform to talk about its programmes. Anyone can visit and see what the organisation has to offer, Al Junaibi says.

Emirates Foundation offers volunteer programmes tailored for Emiratis, who have the chance to work with Dubai Expo 2020, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and other international projects.

Maitha Al Habsi, chief programmes officer, said some of them would like to be engaged in the UAE’s development. “There is a general feeling of gratitude for what they [Emiratis] have received from the government and a desire to give back to the nation,” she said.

Maitha explained how volunteering can help Emiratis become the best they can be. Takatof, one of the Foundation’s many initiatives, allows volunteers to showcase social responsibility.

Takatof lets volunteers renovate houses of families in need, hold iftars for labourers, assist the elderly in performing umrah and help young offenders.

Anyone can join its initiatives such as Esref Sah and Sanid while programmes such as Kayani, Think Science and Kafa’at are only for Emiratis.

Humaid Al Kendi, a 21-year-old Emirati studying mechanical engineering at Khalifa University, started volunteering for community work at the age of 12. A volunteer for the Emirates Foundation and other organisations, he tries to work with a humanitarian organisation every year. Community service, he says, has helped him gain self-control. “I used to get angry very easily. However, as soon as I started the training courses for Takatof, I was able to control my emotions better and deal with people from different regions,” he says.

Al Kendi was influenced by his older brother, who volunteers at a major humanitarian organisation in Abu Dhabi.

His most memorable experience is working at the Milan Expo 2015.

Al Kendi represented the UAE and its culture through short movies and shared information about Dubai Expo 2020.

“I met many different people and learned many skills, I was the youngest in my group and learnt from everyone else’s experiences,” he says.

Menna Yousuf, a 23-year-old Egyptian graduate of the American University of Sharjah (AUS), said her love for voluntary work started when she was 10, during Ramadan, when she was living in Egypt.

“We had to pack food for the poor. It was my mom’s idea and she invited all my friends to come and work together,” Menna said.

Continuing her volunteering journey in the UAE, Menna helped at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) where she aided children with special needs. “I did whatever was needed to help. I fed and played with the kids,” she said.

She recalls an experience during the summer of 2011 when a group of volunteers accompanied 20 children to a theme park in Cairo. Menna was responsible for two of the children. In just a day, they formed such a strong bond that even today, Menna tries to be in contact with them. “We got so emotional, we didn’t want to say good bye [at the end of the trip]. They told me that they loved me and wished we could stay friends forever,” she recalled.

Next Ramadan, Menna hopes to do more by packing iftar meals. “I would like to join a programme that gives meals to workers,” she said.

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Volunteer organisations in Abu Dhabi

Nahtam

Who can join: UAE residents

Education: No high school diploma required

Age: No bar

Project: My Community My Responsibility

Emirates Red Crescent

Who can join: UAE residents

Education: At least high school diploma

Age: 18-50 years