Dubai: Al Manal Humanitarian Initiative distributed 2,000 care boxes of basic essentials to female labourers in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, and held an iftar at a Dubai labour camp for women.
The campaign was organised by Dubai Ladies Club in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent and the support of Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
The event, which was attended by members of Dubai Women Establishment’s Board of Directors, reached out to hundreds of women living in the labour camp, and included fitness classes, beauty sessions, and medical check-ups for the labourers.
The Dubai Ladies Club transformed into a hub of activity during the weeklong campaign, as 300 ladies, students, and children participated. Around 50 of Dubai Ladies Club and Dubai Women Establishment’s staff members, participated with the aim of spreading joy to the female labourers as a token of appreciation and gratitude for their hard work and valuable contribution to the community.
The event also marked the conclusion of the ‘Unboxing Kindness’ campaign, which was organised in line with ‘Zayed Day for Humanitarian Action.’
It was launched in line with the unwavering commitment of Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of Dubai Women Establishment, President of Dubai Ladies Club and wife of His Highness Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, to humanitarian efforts.
Mona Al Merri, Chairperson of the Board and Managing Director of Dubai Women Establishment, said that ‘Unboxing Kindness’ has seen an outpouring of support from the public and organisations as donations were gathered and a large number of women volunteered to pack the care boxes and distribute them to female labourers. She highlighted that such support reflects the kindness of Emirati people, in line with the values instilled by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
“Due to the course set by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE has become one of the world’s leading humanitarian aid donors, highlighting that the nation’s humanitarian and development efforts transcend gender, race, and religion,” Al Merri said.
She noted the Al Manal Humanitarian Initiative was launched in July of 2013, with the aim of increasing humanitarian aid on both local and regional levels, and raising awareness about the importance of such efforts.
Meanwhile, Lamia Abdul Aziz Khan, Director of Dubai Ladies Club, pointed out this commitment led to the launch of the campaign for female labourers, as a gesture of appreciation for their essential role in our society.
“We wanted to demonstrate our gratitude to these women for their efforts, enhancing social cohesion and following in the footsteps of our wise leadership,” she said.
Khan also emphasised that the campaign did not only facilitate participation in charitable work through donating items, but also volunteering.
“A large number of women contacted the club to be part of the campaign, and many students visited Dubai Ladies Club after school to contribute to the campaign. Many of the women who came in as volunteers brought their children along, and together helped pack the boxes and wrote letters to the workers in recognition of their role,” she explained.
The day’s activities also included free dental check-ups and general tests for cholesterol and diabetes carried out by Dubai Health Authority, as well as eye check-ups offered by the Noor Dubai Foundation. Fitness classes were held for the workers, as well as massage sessions from Dubai Ladies Club’s Al Asalla Spa, make-up and makeovers carried out by L’Oreal, and a manicure station set up by TNS. An iftar was also held at the camp, during which the workers, the participating entities’ representatives, and the volunteers on site taking part.
