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400 volunteers sign up for Ramadan project

DUBAI — Nationality, religion and age hold no barriers when it comes to help those in need, as around 400 volunteers signed up for a Ramadan project to hand out food to needy families in Dubai.

“It’s lovely that we live in a country where we are free to believe what we follow without fear and where religion is not a barrier to charity. I hope more people try volunteering to experience that human bond,” said Mariska Menon, an Australian citizen who had moved to Dubai four years ago and now actively participates in similar causes.

The gathering initiated by Volunteer in Dubai in association with Red Crescent, Geant Hypermarket and Aramex, kick-started about two weeks ago and has warm-hearted helpers busy in a variety of tasks throughout the holy month to ensure food supplies are distributed to the less fortunate.

“Ramadan is a time of giving and sharing. We are more than happy to help out those in need, irrelevant of time of the year,” said Lola Lopez, a team member of Volunteer in Dubai. The collection points set up in Ibn Battuta Mall are open to receive rice, flour, oil, lentils, sugar and dried milk as donations. Lopez explained that these basic ingredients are on the list to ensure all families receive equal potions.

“We want to make sure every family gets the same items. The more items introduced, the more unlikely we’ll be able to offer the same packages to everyone,” she said. The collected food items will be specially marked, packed into family-sized donation boxes at another location and, with help from Aramex and volunteers, will be delivered to families recognised as needy by the Islamic cooperative.

“Our aim is to spread goodwill among residents and encourage generosity and charity,” she said. A facebook group was set up a few weeks in advance that caught the attention of UAE residents online and gathered most helpers.

Volunteers will work between different time shifts daily to assist donors at food stands and to take food to collection points between three in the afternoon till midnight. Individuals can also help out by raising funds among families, friends and organisations for the drive.

“For me the success is not measured by the final result but by the energy and spirit of those involved in the execution.

As long as we, the volunteers, do the best we can, then I consider the project a success, and that is my only expectation,” said Lopez.

farhana@khaleejtimes.com