Love's labour in packing gift boxes for Dubai workers

Adopt-a-Camp volunteers gather goods to be packed and sent to labourers in camps as part of the Ramadan charity campaign.

DUBAI // An appeal has been launched for volunteers and donations in the Ramadan campaign to help thousands of labourers.

Organisers of the Adopt-a-Camp charity plan to distribute 5,000 care packages filled with essential items to workers during the Holy Month.

Each package contains bed linen, toothbrushes, metal plates, three months of toiletries, and four weeks of high-energy food.

"The plan is to distribute these supplies to around 5,000 workers in a couple of weeks," said Saher Shaikh, the founder of Adopt-a-Camp.

More than 2,000 volunteers are expected to help put together the packages at Dubai's World Trade Centre next month. The packages are then delivered to labour camps in Al Quoz.

"It really is a wonderful community spirit at these events and you get to see people from all walks of life taking part," said Mrs Shaikh.

The charity relies on donations from residents and companies.

Many of the volunteers say they want to give back to the community.

"I just felt blessed with the things in my life and wanted to help people who don't even have the basic necessities," said Wahbeez Wankadia, an Indian who has volunteered for the past three years.

Packing will be on August 9 from 9pm in DWTC's arena area. Delivery is due to take place after midnight. More details: www.adoptacamp.ae.