Some of the UAE’s best-known celebrities and leading cultural figures tell us how they plan to get involved in the 2017 Year of Giving.
‘This year, I am all about the giving of health and motivation. I turned my life around over the past four years when it came to my health. I went from 130kgs to 90kgs. What I do now on my social networks is I post a lot about myself at the gym and the food I am eating. It’s really all about helping others and I am grateful to get hundreds of messages a week from people telling me I am motivating them to go to the gym and get healthier. I will also give a free seminar called Fade Fit soon, where I will get the best nutritionist and health experts in the country to help people with their health and turn their lives around’.
Kris Fade, host of the Kris Fade Show on Virgin Radio
‘I am the co-founder of an orphanage in Uganda called Live It Up Uganda, so that is one project that is definitely on my list to grow and build in 2017. Apart from working towards making the orphanage a better space for children, I want to consciously focus my efforts towards small acts of kindness in the new year. There is so much that we could do in my lovely city, Dubai, for instance, giving away meals to construction workers that they would not necessarily have every day, such as a Big Mac from McDonald’s, handing out bottles of water and even giving a warm smile and greeting to passers-by. It’s amazing how these little acts of kindness can go a long way in making someone’s day’.
Amanda Navai, handbag designer
‘I am keen to put lots of smiles on the faces of orphans. I want to provide them with toys, clothes and books, especially during Ramadan and Eid. I don’t want them to feel they are alone’.
Ahmed Hassan from The 5
‘We have seen in 2015 that the UAE was ranked as one of the highest donors for humanitarian efforts around the world. If we can continue to be ranked not as the country with the tallest buildings in the world, but for being the highest contributors to humanitarian issues, that will be a great testament to our country. Personally, I want to do more this year than ever before. I would love to work more with special-needs children, orphans and visit patients who are in hospital, from children to senior citizens’.
Omar Al Busaidy, motivational speaker and author of Just Read It
