All for a good cause

Dubai hotels support Ihsan Charity Center's appeal for donations

A single act of kindness to help a stranded mother and her family when her husband was suddenly jailed led to many more. It paved the way for the formation of Ihsan Charity Center wherein over a 1,000 multinational, single parent families and their children are sheltered.

To provide for these families the Center recently approached managements of hotels and hospitals for donations of beddings, clothing and towels. The response was definitely helpful.

"Over the past few weeks we have had a huge donation of bed sheets, pillow covers, blankets and towels from Hyatt Regency and Oasis Beach Hotel. Last week, a donation of 500 single mattresses came from Sofitel City Centre Hotel and Residence.

They are being distributed among the families we support," said Atallah Habeeb, deputy director at Ihsan.

Strongly believing in reaching out to the lesser fortunate, the human resources director at Sofitel said, "We have made contributions to other charities before as part of our humanitarian services but this is the first time we have supported Ihsan and their efforts.

Upon discussion, we felt that the surplus mattresses from the staff accommodation unit could be put to a worthy use if given away. Donations of crockery and furniture are also accepted by them and we shall continue to do the needful."

Apart from the gifts of cash and kind, the Center wishes to teach children proper recitation of the Holy Quran during the proposed summer camp in June.

Registrations must be made in advance to avoid disappointment. "Building on the success of last year's summer camp, another shall be held for elementary school girls this year, Inshallah," said Habeeb.

The free lessons would be made more fruitful with a complementary breakfast each day. It is during the early stages of learning that a child must be properly guided to learn and understand the value of knowledge and be nourished well to grow from it," added Habeeb.

"Recently, we received a water cooler from a well-wisher. It will be fitted at 'Obyy bin Ka'b', a Quran school in Ajman to serve the 500 students studying there."

The charity would soon be inaugurating its medical centre. "Having acquired an ambulance of our own we are now on the lookout for doctors who are willing to provide voluntary services to the needy patients.

People could also give whatever surplus medicines they have with considerable shelf life so that it is put to good use," said Habeeb.