Making the difference

Sahar Al Obad's passion to help her community has seen her take up a leading role in the UAE's charity world. She is on an endless quest to achieve success in her field.

"The journey of 1,000 miles starts with a step but to ensure success that step shouldn't be taken randomly. Staying focused always leads to accomplishing missions and goals efficiently," she says.

This is how Sahar, president of the Emirates Volunteers Association and technical office manager at the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare, defines her role in life.

After graduating in 1996 from UAE University, she started work at Sharjah Natural Museum as an administrator-in-charge. She then worked at etisalat for a short while but voluntary work remained her passion.

"It [voluntary work] is vital to any society and it shouldn't be restricted by linguistic or cultural barriers.

It is done by people who truly love it and appreciate the joy of service they offer to their community as gratitude for all the benefits they have received.

"It is enough to feel you have provided an immeasurable amount of support to those who are in need and will have gained a wealth of experience that will benefit your life," she adds.

Sahar believes that volunteering provides a variety of opportunities to explore career fields that you might otherwise not have thought of and puts you in contact with events and people which can open new horizons.

"It can be the job of a lifetime or it can be part of your everyday life. It's a spiritual joy I wish everyone could feel," she says.
Sahar's journey began in 2000.

While driving home one day she saw a sign for the Emirates Volunteer Association that caught her eye.

"I didn't waste time in considering joining. In time they appreciated my work and nominated me during their annual election for the position of chairperson of the board. As a result of my work I got the title in 2006."

She said the organisation "welcomes whoever has the desire for such non-profitable humanitarian work".

A list of the body's ongoing scheduled activities are displayed and volunteers have the choice to register for any activity.

"As recognition for their time and effort we issue an evaluation letter, like a thank you certificate.

We generally help local departments, humanitarian services and centres for elderly people and we take part in organising public weddings.

"However, we have expanded our effort to rescue the victims of hurricane Gonu in Oman. And we are always ready to provide help whenever it is needed," she says. Sahar said her voluntary work had opened new horizons to her and she has attended many prestigious forums in the region, including an Arab League event in Egypt.

"I seek to accomplish a more significant presence for the UAE in different aspects of voluntary work all over the world.

The main obstacle I encounter is lack of funds.
"Unfortunately, most organisations don't give much attention to non-profit work.

"As individuals, it is not easy to cover the requirements of institutions. Therefore, we hope to unite our unpaid effort with direct sponsorship from large companies because their support would certainly play an essential role in assisting our work."

Regarding her role in the General Authority of Youth and Sport and the prominence that Emirati women play in sport in the UAE she says, "I look forward to developing the role of Emirati women by trying to set myself as an example in such a monopolised sector.

I want Emirati women to become champions in the sporting world.

"I work hard to merge women into events in order to let the whole world know we are no longer hidden behind men. Our time has come to prove ourselves and we are ready to initiate."

She goes on to explain that sport in the UAE seems to be a male-dominated area.

However, many women have great interest in this field and believe it or not their sports knowledge can sometimes exceed men's but until now they haven't had
a real chance to shine. "Unfortunately, so far we have no recognisable woman's name in such a domain. I aim to change this."

Fatma Salem is Feature Writer, Gulf News