Everyday Hero: Parmar Samuel Andreas

PARMAR SAMUEL ANDREAS, Indian, relief worker

Dubai: Parmar Samuel Andreas remembers arriving in Dubai from Mumbai for the first time by boat on December 5, 1976, at the age of 27.

The young electrician and his family docked at Port Rashid and he has remained in the country ever since.

As a longtime resident of the UAE, Samuel says that he will always be grateful for the opportunities that he has been given and as such, spends much of his spare time volunteering to give back to society.

"I was born into a very poor family. I went to school but I didn't finish," he recalls. "It was only after one man helped me and gave me a job in India and then brought me here that my life changed. I will never forget him for his help. Now I can speak English and I work for a good company."

Not long after arriving to the UAE, Samuel, from Gujarat, became involved with St Mary's Church and to this day spends most evenings coordinating the church's relief efforts.

By day he is a supervisor at a Dubai-based company, but in the evening Samuel and other parishioners combine their efforts to help those less fortunate both in the UAE and around the world. "We gather clothes and goods and send them to poor people in the UAE, as well as countries, including India, Pakistan and Ethiopia."

Also a lay minister, Samuel says that he is motivated by the people who have helped him throughout his life.

"Many people have helped me and I managed to better my situation, so I have to help others. I cannot give much money, but I do whatever manual work I can to help others."

Despite not having been able to finish school himself, Samuel says that among his proudest achievements are his five children, all of whom are now teachers.

Nominated by: Elaine Fernandes describes Samuel as a "very humble, simple, quiet and dedicated worker, with a heart of gold". Elaine says she nominated him as an Everyday Hero because of his tireless efforts for those less fortunate.

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