Charity is when giver and taker connect

Thousands of refugee children around the world have benefitted from The Big Heart Foundation's Salam Ya Seghar initiative.

The Spanish painter Pablo Picasso once said: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
International Charity Day serves as a reminder on the importance different people can add by giving back, even in small portions. Khaleej Times spoke to Mariam Al Hammadi, director of Salam Ya Seghar at The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), about the UAE charity scene in the UAE and how to make your contribution count.
What does the word 'charity' mean?
The word 'charity' should have a greater connotation than that of simply giving funds for a particular cause or initiative. It should be a concept that imbues every aspect of our lives and conduct as human beings living together in a global community. This is what we aspire to embody in our organisation's activities. We have noticed that altruism fosters a sense of personal achievement that is the equal to any found in other areas of life. This sense of connection between the hopes and ambitions of those who give and those who gratefully receive is an extremely rewarding aspect of what we do.
How has the amount of contribution been to the organisation?
In the past four years, TBHF has funded projects worth over Dh93 million through donations by individuals, government bodies and private sector organisations. The sums received reflect the incredible generosity of all elements of the UAE society and have resulted in our organisation being able to support an array of initiatives and projects to improve people's lives. These include children in Palestine, the underprivileged, the vulnerable, displaced families, children and families affected by war and children suffering from cancer, across the Mena and globally.
How would you describe the charity scene in the UAE?
The charity scene in the UAE is a vibrant and mature one, with around 180 Public Utility Associations (social welfare organisations) in operation; with many of the charitable organisations providing an array of services that meet a spectrum of needs. These include humanitarian initiatives such as support for refugees and integrating those with disabilities into the local community; bodies that promote leadership in our younger generation to ensure that they are equipped with the skills to advance the nation.
The UAE's extensive charity landscape sees emirate-based organisations work to provide services in its communities and in societies across the globe. With the concept of giving being a central pillar of the Islamic faith, the UAE is able to do a significant degree of good work for those across the globe who through no fault of their own face daily struggles and challenges to survive.
What is the advice to give to UAE residents when it comes to charity?

• When handing over money for a supposed good cause, it is important to know that it is going to be used effectively and for the purpose stated.
• Never hand over money to someone in the street claiming to be from a well-known charity just on their say so, even if they proffer identification.
• Do not fund raise without authority permission. New rules issued last year that can result in a jail sentence of up to one year in prison or a fine of up to Dh100,000 for unregistered collectors, especially those successfully dissuading many individuals.
• There is no need to give alms to a person collecting money for themselves because of a claim to be physically incapacitated in some way. Many of these claims are spurious, with fake medical conditions invented to attempt to play on people's good nature. Giving money in this manner encourages a culture of begging.