Arab Hope Makers win Dh1m each for volunteering efforts

Nawal Al Soufi from Morocco was named the Arab 'Hope Maker' after an audience vote and points given by a panel of judges during the grand finale on Thursday.
But, at the end of the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced that the grand prize of Dh1 million would be given to each of the five finalists for their volunteering that helped make a difference to thousands of lives.
Al Soufi helped save the lives of more than 200,000 refugees. Al Soufi receives hundreds of calls every day from migrants stranded at sea who go out on boats to seek a better life in Europe.
"The first phone call I received was in 2013 from a frightened migrant telling me that he and others were drowning. There was children on the boats, too, and that they weren't sure whether rescue missions would reach them on time. I have never switched my phone off since," she said to a cheering audience.
The four other finalists selected from among 65,000 participants were Maali Al Asousi from Kuwait who left her home 10 years ago and dedicated her life to volunteering in Yemen and led over 30 initiatives that helped 250,000 people; Majida Jobran from Egypt who spent 27 years of her life helping the poor in Cairo; Hesham Al Thahabi from Iraq who provided homes and shelter for hundreds of street children; and the White Helmets, a group of 3,100 volunteers, who haved saved more than 94,000 people from under the rubble of collapsed houses in Syria.
The Arab Hope Makers initiative aims to recognise young change agents in the Arab world who have dedicated their lives to serving people and communities.
Sheikh Mohammed posted his search for an Arab Hope Maker back in February, asking people with a track record of philanthropic deeds between five and 95 years old to nominate themselves.
The initiative witnessed about 65,000 submissions in one month in education, health, volunteerism and media among other fields, running up for the grand prize of Dh1 million.
Twenty-two Arab countries nominated people in their communities, with the highest number coming from Egypt (22.3 per cent), followed by Saudi Arabia (17 per cent) and the UAE (10.3 per cent).
The grand finale featured eminent media personalities like Ahmed Al Shugairi, 2016 Arab Idol winner Mohammad Assaf, and the stars of The Voice Kids talent show, along with top officials, dignitaries and representatives from local and international media and the general public. 
Through honoring these Hope Makers and showcasing their initiatives and projects, as well as providing them with financial support, the initiative encourages volunteering efforts that nurture hope and instils a spirit of solidarity.
The initiative looks at individuals who master the skills of selflessly giving and spreading hope across the world. Applicants must have had conducted at least one community initiative, volunteering or any humanitarian act that contributes to people's happiness.
A screening committee selected the top 12 submissions that qualify for the nomination stage (personal interviews) of the initiative during April 11-May 2.
Five finalists were picked by a panel of experts during the personal interviews stage.
Nawal Al Soufi was selected as the winner by a panel of judges that included Noora Bint Mohammad Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Dr Ali Jaber; dean of the Mohammad Bin Rashid College for Media, and Group TV Director of MBC; and Ahmad Al Shugairi, prominent media figure in the Arab world.  - sherouk@khaleejtimes.com