Everyday Hero: Chearada Hamza

CHEARADA HAMZA, Indian, neighbourhood helper

Dubai: Chearada Hamza, a 49-year-old Indian, came to UAE in 1982 to cook for an Arab household and today he works as a helper in a printing press in Dubai by night. In the afternoon he cleans neighbourhood cars.

A promise of a better life for his three young children is the one thing that has kept Hamza going for the past 25 years.

Then, three weeks ago he underwent heart surgery and will soon be flying back to his family in India on two months recuperation leave.

When Gulf News informed him that he has been nominated to be featured as an "Everyday Hero" Hamza said he wanted the individual who helped him survive to be featured in the newspaper.

"He is a UAE national and I call him my arbab (chief). It was because of his kindness that I am able to make a decent living. He is my unsung hero," said Hamza modestly.

After working for two years as a cook for Dh500, he moved on to work for 11 years as a cook in a government department for Dh1,900 and then one day he lost his job.

"I was jobless for 6 months and I lived close to my arbab's house. I approached him for a job at the behest of his children who knew me. Without much fuss I was given a job to work in the canteen of an Arabic newspaper in Dubai."

According to Hamza, he was not happy with his job and once more gathered courage to approach his arbab. "My arbab who had a top job in a Arabic daily got me a helper's job in the circulation and production department for Dh1,450."

Back home in his village in India, his children attended a decent English medium school instead of a regional language school — a source of pride for Hamza.

His daughter is now married and his two sons are still continuing their high school education.

Nominated by: The person who nominated Hamza wished to remain anonymous. However, he says that Hamza was sorely missed and he and his family were incredibly worried when he became ill and did not tell anyone where he was.

Have you seen an everyday hero in action? Is there an everyday hero in your life? How did he or she help other people? To nominate someone fill in the form below and click the send button