ABU DHABI // Underprivileged families, labourers, senior citizens, people with special needs and young offenders across the UAE will receive help from more than 800 volunteers this Ramadan.
The Takatof Ramadan Project, launched this week by Emirates Foundation, will ensure that aid is delivered to hundreds of people in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah throughout Ramadan.
Maytha Al Habsi, chief programmes officer at the foundation, said the project was aimed at encouraging humanitarian and charitable activities.
“By volunteering and giving back to those who are most in need, we aim to strengthen our relationship and interaction with the community and contribute towards cementing the values of giving and solidarity,” she said.
Volunteers have already visited the homes of disadvantaged families to identify those most in need.
During the first week of Ramadan volunteers will attend orientation meetings while developing relationships with young offenders through sports and activities, giving them opportunities to take part in the volunteering process.
In addition, 20 volunteers will be selected to accompany 20 special needs individuals on their pilgrimage to Mecca.
In the second week teams of volunteers will repair and improve 20 homes of Emiratis, chosen by the foundation as being most in need of upgrades.
Those volunteers chosen to carry out the repairs were specially selected, Ms Al Habsi said.
“At Emirates Foundation we focus on youth and here we have selected volunteers who are working as engineers or studying the course so they can meaningfully contribute to bettering these homes,” she said.
Based on their experiences during the first two weeks, volunteers will then be asked to create and implement projects of their own the following week.
“We want volunteers to be more engaged and not have to rely on the foundation to create all the projects,” Ms Al Habsi said.
In the final week, participants will visit building sites to provide labourers with iftar, refreshments, towels and toothbrushes, among other items.
Iftar will also be provided to the elderly, orphans, and those with special needs.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae