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Spirit Binds Volunteers in Their Goal Towards Helping Humanity

Hundreds of volunteers from different nationalities and professional backgrounds have been converging on its premises, pledging their little bit to the community.

Though many of them may have met for the first time, it is the spirit of volunteerism that binds them — be it to help the victims of Gaza or the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Pakistan. And with the current political crisis in Pakistan, people in the UAE have come forward to donate generously.

For volunteers, the task has just begun. From sorting out heaps of relief materials like clothes, shoes and medicines to distribution, the volunteers try to ensure that the right thing reaches the right person.

Before the materials are bundled and sent to the IDPs of the Swat valley of Pakistan, they have to be sifted, appropriately packed and loaded for the
long journey.

“We definitely cannot ask for perishable items though people need them much. They would not sustain the journey. But any other form of aid is welcome,” says Mobisher Rabbani, a social worker and grass-root activist.

He recently started his own NGO, The Rabbani Foundation, which has got approval for registration in Pakistan. Mobisher plans to get the NGO registered in the UAE as well in the future.

Devoting time and energy for others’ cause requires immense dedication. While some volunteers say they are inspired to do something great for their country, others say serving humanity is immensely rewarding.

“I always had the urge to do something for my country but family issues had kept me busy,” says Arzoo Abbas, a pharmacist by profession.

“But once I became part of the Future Leaders of Pakistan (FLP), I got the needed motivation and have helped them out especially for the Swat crisis,” she adds.

The FLP is a non-partisan youth leadership organisation that networks on social websites such as Facebook
and Twitter.

Arzoo also believes that small steps can cover big distances. “Personally, the plight of acid burn victims affects me the most. It is very common in Pakistan and physical recovery takes lots of money as well as suffering,” she adds.

At present, Arzoo is networking to support acid burn victims as well as raise funds and provide dowries for underprivileged girls.

A group of 80-100 FLP members helped in shipment of aid to Pakistan earlier this month. “We network through Facebook and post events for members. Huge numbers have shown up to help the IDPs,” says Mobisher, who also moderates the FLP-UAE Chapter on the networking site.

Other members of the organisation, including those from the PAD, take the responsibility to distribute the items at the camps in Mardan and other areas.

For Afiq Hassan, volunteering is another way of discovering himself. A recent graduate, the young man says that world leaders were his inspiration. “I have volunteered for AIESEC in the UAE and worked to recruit students in a structured leadership programme,” he adds.

Working for the FLP at the PAD, Afiq has been offering help in sorting
and loading.

Sifting through heaps of clothes for the right cloth that has to be sent is not an easy task. “We have really had weird clothing that probably people wanted to get rid off. Things such as bikinis and polyester mixed materials simply do not work for Pathans in Pakistan,” 
said Arzoo.

For 16-year-old Roha Daud, her elder sister has provided her the needed impetus to volunteer.

“I have a break from school and thought what better than to spend time doing something useful,” she says.

“My family encourages me to do voluntary work and especially since my sister is involved, I too want to experience the feeling,” says Roha who has also worked with Red Crescent to sort aid for Gaza victims.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

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