Everyday Hero: Kareem

KAREEM, Indian, kind colleague

Dubai: Fifty-one-year-old Kareem has made sure that he lives up to his job title of a Public Relations Officer.

His friends and colleagues at his work place have a high respect for him and said that he has touched their lives in one way or the other.

Kareem has diabetes and high blood pressure but he lifts their spirits whenever they come across him with his smiling face.

Every morning he takes the time to pick up some of his colleagues from his neighbourhood and offers them a lift to work. "I don't run a private taxi!" he was quick to add, "I love people. I love to see my friends laugh and smile and it affects me when I see them sad or depressed," he told Gulf News.

Working as a Public Relations Officer for the past nine years has given Kareem the patience to understand those around him. He has a kind word for everybody and takes his time in life to do things right.

Kareem came to the UAE in 1988. He has worked as a supermarket supervisor then in a shipping company prior to taking up his current job.

One of his married daughters lives in Dubai with her husband. "I have three other children who stay in India with their mother. I visit them every two years," he said.

Kareem was philosophical when asked what made him so special that one of his colleagues had nominated him for the Gulf News Everyday Hero, he said: "I am loved by everyone. To be loved by others is something that is not easy. ‘Forgive and Forget' and live life to the fullest without abusing is my mantra of peace and happiness. Change is the only constant thing in life."

Nominated by: Venicia Monis. For her Kareem fills the void of being in the UAE without her family. "We have a father-daughter relationship in a way, it's very cool but we also tease each other a lot. I'll jump in the front seat and change his music or he'll check if I've had food," she said. Kareem takes Venicia to work everyday.

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