UAE Portrait of a Nation: Emirati social worker says helping people is in her nature

Naeema Al Nakhee pays a price for her commitment to others’ well-being, but, she says, ‘I can’t change’.

Naeema Al Nakhee began her career in social work after helping an abandoned baby. She has since helped countless individuals emotionally and financially. Victor Besa for The National

SHARJAH // An Emirati social worker made it her mission in life to do what it takes to assist those who need it most, whether that be emotional or financial support, a helping hand, or even just cutting bureaucratic red tape.

Naeema Al Nakhee is the third child among six sisters and three brothers and made her way through school and graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from UAE University in 1986, after which she began her journey in the social services department at Al Qasimi Hospital.

“My real beginning with social work was when I knew about an abandoned baby who was brought in to the hospital in 1987,” she said. “The child didn’t have identification papers, and would not get medical care without them. The case touched me personally, and I made it my mission to help the child.”

Ms Al Nakhee got to meet the Sharjah Ruler, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, while he was visiting the hospital and she took it upon herself to tell him about the abandoned baby.

“He listened to the child’s story and ordered that abandoned children be taken in and cared for, and that they are provided with identification papers, which I consider my first social work initiative and the highlight of my career.”

Ms Al Nakhee takes in abandoned babies, and those born outside wedlock, and provide them with identification papers in collaboration with government departments in Sharjah.

“It’s heart-wrenching when you hear a newborn is left to die in an abandoned building or dumped by his mother on a street or a parking lot. What kind of future awaits these children? What lives will they lead?” she said.

“After we get proper documentation, I make sure they are treated well and are given the best medical care and have a complete medical history in the hospital.”

In April, she was named social personality of the year at the Social Services Forum in Sharjah.

The nature of her work involves dealing with people from all walks of life and her commitment to her career has meant sacrifices in her personal life.

“When suitors requested my hand in marriage, they asked that I leave my job and stay at home, but I couldn’t do that,” Ms Al Nakhee said.

“I can’t change my personality, change my way of work and living; I am an outgoing, social person and can’t sit at home.”

To Ms Al Nakhee, taking a real interest in patients’ worries and problems is paramount.

“Showing support for patients, whether they are children, people with disabilities, old people or women, is more important than material or financial support. The knowledge that there is someone backing them up, and willing to listen and help them in their time of need, is the best thing one can do as an initial step.”

Another side of her work entails connecting patients who need help with charity organisations and people who are willing to help out financially.

“Some of the cases I help with are as simple as providing baby milk to families who can’t afford it, or to get donors to help a -patient who needs a large amount of money for an operation, or to receive treatment abroad,” Ms Al Nakhee said.

Other cases have included raising money to help people to pay their rent or collecting food and clothes to give to the poor.

“I don’t pick and choose who I want to help, I try to help anyone who genuinely needs it. It’s my nature, it was something that I learnt and inherited from my late father.”

After 29 years of service, retirement is not an option.

“My family, colleagues and doctors do not want me to retire, and I won’t, as long as I have the capacity to help others.”