Generous Sharjah family delivers care packages and dry goods to less fortunate

Ayesha Sohail set up UAE Fusion Socialites to unite the community and help low-income residents

More than 19,000 members have joined the group and have delivered free food, drink and other items to more than 10,000 individuals and households across the Emirates.

Sharjah resident Ayesha Sohail preparing Ramadan grocery boxes with her son, Mohammed, for needy families. Photos by Pawan Singh / The National

Mother-of-two Ms Sohail established Facebook group 'UAE Fusion Socialites' eight years ago with the aim of bringing the community together.

During the pandemic last year, Ms Sohail and members of the group helped deliver 2,388 grocery boxes – valued at Dh385 each – filled with flour, rice, oil, dates and other food essentials.

UAE Fusion Socialites works by people in need sending a private message to Ms Sohail on Facebook.

Ms Sohail plans to distribute more grocery boxes to people over the next month.

A family in Sharjah has set up a drive to support people on low incomes during Ramadan, by providing essential dry goods and cleaning products.

Ayesha Sohail, 38, set up Facebook group UAE Fusion Socialites eight years ago, with the aim of bringing the community together and helping those in need.

Since then, more than 19,000 members have joined, delivering household essentials, free of charge, to more than 10,000 in-need individuals and families across the Emirates.

We pack the boxes with 10kg bags of flour and rice, packets of noodles, washing powder, toiletries and other household essentials. If we can take away the burden of daily spending, that will help these people

During Ramadan last year, Ms Sohail, from Pakistan, helped her group to deliver 2,388 grocery boxes, valued at Dh385 each.

"I started the Facebook group as a way to socialise with people, but after a few meet ups I quickly realised that we could use it as leverage to help people," she told The National.

“Initially, we started packing and delivering boxes to individuals during Ramadan, because a lot of people are away from their families at this time.

“We pack the boxes with 10kg bags of flour and rice, packets of noodles, Tang, washing powder, toiletries and other household essentials.

"If we can take away the burden of daily spending, that will help these people in the long run."

People in need of assistance from UAE Fusion Socialites can send a private message to Ms Sohail on Facebook.

A view of decorations put in place in the Seef district of Dubai ahead the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. AFP

A view of lit decorations shaped as animals put in place in the Seef district of Dubai ahead the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. AFP

Ramadan decorations are on show across the UAE, including these lights in The Greens, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Greens, Dubai decorated for holy month. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A traditional fanous lantern, expressing the light and goodness of Ramadan, in The Greens, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan lights at sunset in The Greens, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Crescent decorations are among the Ramadan lights on roadsides in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Decorations for holy month at Al Seef market alongside Dubai Creek. EPA

Ramadan decorations at Al Seef market in Dubai include the traditional crescent and fanous. EPA

The historic Al Seef market in Dubai lit up for Ramadan. EPA

A child plays inside a giant fanous lantern decoration at Al Seef market in Dubai. EPA

Requests are then posted to different group members who deliver grocery boxes across the country.

In the past week, Ms Sohail has packed and delivered more than 300 grocery boxes to drivers, labourers and grocery boys in Dubai, Fujairah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, all in time for Ramadan.

“I have lived in the UAE for 28 years and I know some people are struggling financially," she said.

"I just feel it is my duty to give back to a community that has given so much to me over the years.

“We have been doing this for seven years now and the community keeps growing, which means every year we get to help more people in need.”

“We have helped residents from all walks of life, including a lady who was born with no legs and a carpenter that was struggling to support his family.”

Ms Sohail, who brings her husband and son, 12, on delivery trips, said the initiative wouldn’t be as successful without the help of social media and “the kind UAE souls”.

Throughout the holy month, the Sohail family and other group members will respond to as many requests as possible and hope to exceed last year’s total.

Speaking about the power of social media platforms enabling community initiatives to reach far and wide, Rawya Abdel Kader, Facebook's communications manager in the Mena region, said there have been many examples of this in the UAE.

“It's so often in times of crisis that we see the best in people, and the remarkable ways that technology is used," she said.

"In recent weeks we have seen inspiring examples of individuals and groups helping each other on our platforms, such as Ayesha Sohail, who [...] is encouraging [her] group's [...] members to donate groceries to low-income families."

On the eve of Ramadan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, unveiled a campaign to fund 100 million free meals in 20 countries across the region.

People can donate via a website and give as little as Dh10 to fund 10 meals, rising to Dh500.