Caroling for a cause: Meet 'Jingles'

Christmas is all about spreading good cheer, happiness and love. A Dubai-based Christmas carol singing group, Jingles, not only spreads Christmas joy to the community, but also helps raise funds for people, mostly children, suffering from terminal diseases.

This year, the 80-member group managed to collect more than Dh426,000 (more than the amount collected in 2016), though the final number is not known at the moment. The funds will help Layan Elsayed, 3, Xander John, 2, Basmala Sameh, 7, and Jasmine, 28, all suffering from Leukemia. A part of the money will also go towards the treatment of Mohammad Hamza, 4, who suffers from Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Rajiv David, the Dubai-based founder of the group said: “Our journey with Jingles has been full of miracles. My wife and I founded the group in 2010, along with a few family members and friends. When we founded it, we were just nine members. Now we are close to 80. It has been a beautiful journey.”

David said that the idea for forming the group came from the premise of utilising ones hobbies to help others. Some members of the group sing, while others play various instruments, which all come together to create the sound that is ‘Jingles’.

“It’s all about the value of life. At the end of the day everyone hopes to have money, and a comfortable living. We wanted to add to that. We wanted to help people and touch people’s lives. These children are suffering and could have died. We are helping them with their battle, by collecting the funds needed.”

The group, has been raising money for nearly 10 years and are in association with Red Crescent. They have a permit from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD).

In the beginning the group collected Dh3,000 to Dh9,000 during Christmas time, but now, that number is almost 50 times more, and this is thanks to the people of Dubai, said David.

“Everyone is a part of Jingles. While we do have the singers and musicians, once we visit a home to carol, they become a part of Jingles too, a part of our journey. We sing, but when people contribute by inviting us and hosting us, they become a part of the family. It is the community of Dubai, the generous people of the city that have helped us. May God bless them.”

“Some people get emotional when we sing and talk about the children who need the money. They are equally moved and involved like we are.” The group consists of members as young as two and as old as 69. According to David, the children are the ones with all the energy.

“They are full of life. When we perform over the weekends our performances go on till 11pm. But the children are ever ready to perform. They understand how much the money means to these children in need.

“One of the boys in the group was supposed to have a birthday party at a restaurant. Instead he asked if the money could be donated to these children in need. Another girl not more than 11 who wanted to do the same thing.”

Rajiv said the people of Dubai have helped them in this cause. “The beautiful people of Dubai are unbelievable. They have supported us throughout our journey.”