Pics by Atiq Ur Rehman
Dubai: Around 350 workers were treated to a fun-filled day of sports, games, snacks and gifts as a tribute to UAE’s “unsung heroes” by St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai on Friday.
A hundred volunteers from organiser St Mary’s worked tirelessly to make the event possible at the Insportz Club in Al Qouz.
Church parish priest Fr Lennie Connully said labourers have “physically turned dreams into reality” by helping construct homes.
“We wanted to acknowledge their contributions and honour them. This is their day, which they will remember all their lives,” Connully said.
Volunteer Adolph Dias, who is an “inspirational and motivational creative writer”, added that he wanted to ensure “the guests today feel like VIPs, they deserve it”.
Workers, dressed in bright sports kits, revelled in the carnival-like atmosphere, playing games, enjoying snacks and socialising.
“I’ve never been to such an event, held especially for labourers. It’s a great feeling to know there are people who think of us and the hard work we put in. I’m so honoured and touched,” said Indian technician Kirandas K., 24.
Another worker, Bangladeshi plumber Mohammad Al Alam, 23, added: “This could have been a normal Friday, when we just sleep and rest on our day off. Frankly, there’s not much else for us to do. But this event really made us enjoy the day. It feels good to be treated so nicely.”
Volunteer Martin Vincent, 23, who works in the finance sector, said, “iI’s our responsibility to give something back to society. We don’t treat labourers any different. We all share human values.”
Around two dozen companies, mostly from Dubai, participated in the free event held exclusively for labourers. This is the first time the church has held such an event, but it “works year round, behind the scenes, to help people in hospitals or those who are in detention,” Dias said.