Dubai puts smile back on face of schoolgirl

Dubai: A girl who was asked to leave school because she did not have a residency visa, was given a helping hand by a Dubai government department.

The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) stepped in to help Shani Saeed, a 14-year-old girl from Finland of Somali origin, and her family to obtain residency visas in Dubai. Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, DNRD Director, intervened to help the family obtain the visas.

Shani, studying in a private school in Dubai, and her two brothers, pupils in a private school in Ajman, were staying on visit visas.

Sado Ali, Shani's mother told Gulf News that her husband used to work here and they were on his sponsorship. However, he went to the US on business where he suffered a road accident which prevented him from returning to the UAE.

"When my husband's residency visa expired, I cancelled my children's and my residency visas because I was afraid to stay here illegally," she said.

"I used to leave with my children to Oman for visa change. Everything was difficult for us. My husband is in the hospital abroad and I had no clue what to do," she said. Sado added that the schools where her children study, especially Shani's school, were putting pressure on her to either take them out of school or obtain residency visas. Shani said her school had given two weeks to either get residency visa or to leave.

"When the issue was raised with Major General Al Merri, he lent us a helping hand," she said.

Shani said that she used to cry constantly fearing that she would not be able to go to school any more, but with the help of DNRD, things have gone back to normal with her and her family.

The mother said that her friends helped her to find a job, and the DNRD even helped her with obtaining a work permit from the Ministry of Labour.

"I was given all the help and support from the DNRD as they even helped me in completing the process of all the documents at the Ministry of Labour," she said. The DNRD also helped her with all the fees required for obtaining residency visas for herself and her children.

Major General Al Merri, told Gulf News that one should always consider humanitarian cases.

"We are all human beings, and we have learnt from our leadership that people who are in need must be helped regardless who they are or where they come from," Major General Al Merri said.

Excellent DNRD may God bless UAE.
Faisal
Dxb,uae
Posted: January 29, 2009, 16:53

I appreciate and congratulate DNRD. I do not have words for this kind of help. Once again congratulations to all DNRD employees. Please continue this help. Thank You
Anandan Ramu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 29, 2009, 16:40

I am happy for Shani!
Shanti
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 29, 2009, 15:59

I really think you are a great person. I appreciate your help to people.
Mohammad Siraj Al Deen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 29, 2009, 15:31

Hats off to DNRD. Good Job!
Vanita
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 29, 2009, 15:24

"Never underestimate what a simple gesture can do. It is the little things that you do that make a big difference in other people's lives."Do all the good you can.Thank you DNRD
Pierre
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 29, 2009, 14:57