Emirates Foundation honours ‘children of Sheikh Zayed’

Hundreds of Emiratis received recognition at a ceremony organised by the Emirates Foundation for Youth Development, thanking those who have given up their time and energy to serve others.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed recognised the efforts of hundreds of Emirati volunteers last night for their selfless efforts at a ceremony held by the Emirates Foundation for Youth Development. Sammy Dallal / The NationalShow less

ABU DHABI // They have selflessly given hours of their spare time to help others – and last night hundreds of Emiratis got the highest seal of approval.

The Emirates Foundation for Youth Development, which helps young people reach their full potential, hosted a recognition ceremony in the emirate thanking those who have gone above and beyond to help the society’s youth.

The foundation has tens of thousands of volunteers, the majority of which are Emirati. Of those, a select few were honoured with awards for their dedication and tireless work towards the foundation’s six key programmes.

“You are no doubt children of Sheikh Zayed,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the foundation’s chairman, who shook the hand of every award winner.

“You have represented your country regionally and internationally and been a great image of the UAE.”

In total, the volunteers had given thousands of hours of their free time to help others.

“This event is held for recognising the pioneering badge of our youth,” said Sheikh Abdullah, who was among a number of high-ranking officials and government leaders who attended the awards ceremony.

The foundation’s six programmees include Takatof, which has 33,000 volunteers and gives young people volunteering experience, and Sanid, an emergency response programme which has 6,000 volunteers.

The other programmes include Kafa’at, which delivers career development projects for young nationals, Think Science, which empowers Emirati youth into the sciences, Esref Sah, which educates youths on financial management, and Kayani, which helps increase job opportunities for the youth.

“These programmes have had a major social impact and have influenced the lives of a lot of our youth from different corners of the emirates,” said Sheikh Abdullah.

After the awards ceremony, volunteers spoke of their pride being chosen for an award.

“I am very very happy to be recognised,” said Ahmed Hamden, who has put in 600 hours of volunteering.

The 29-year-old, from Ras Al Khaimah, said volunteering was a way to give back.

“Being a volunteer means I can do something for my country,” said Mr Hamden, a Takatof volunteer.

Taghreed Azzam, 30, is also a Takatof volunteer. The Umm Al Quwain resident has dedicated 900 hours of her spare time to the programme.

“It was a feeling inside that motivated me to want to volunteer,” she said. “It is good to do something in society to help others.”

Wednesday night’s event, held at the St Regis hotel on Saadiyat Island, also paid thanks to the foundation’s financial sponsors – whose philanthropic aid totals Dh 15millon so far this year. Sponsors include JB Morgan, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, and the Shell company.

“I would like to thank all the sponsor companies who have donated financial contributions to enable us to contribute of the future of our nation,” said Sheikh Abdullah.