Volunteers from Palestine and Sudan, countries ravaged by conflict, were part of the 400 participants in Dubai Cares' 'Back to School' initiative in Abu Dhabi on Friday. They expressed their desire to contribute to the UAE, a gesture they felt they could not extend to their homelands. Mouna Hassan El Kabt, 44, born in Abu Dhabi and a long-time resident of Sharjah, shared her sadness at being distant from her family in Palestine. She told Khaleej Times that volunteering for Dubai Cares' initiative was a personal solace, particularly as schoolchildren were the direct beneficiaries.
"I couldn't do anything for my country. This is my way of giving back. What I couldn't do for my country, I do here. It's the least that I can do – joining events like this to reach out to those in need," El Kabt explained. She mentioned having family in Palestine, expressing the difficulty of seeing them due to current circumstances, though they maintain communication and, thankfully, are safe.
Another participant, Alaa Mohammed, 22, from Sudan, praised the UAE's efforts in supporting children from low-income families through the back-to-school program. However, she lamented that schools in Sudan remain largely closed due to the ongoing civil war. "There is war in Sudan. But I'm here; so, I am volunteering for the schoolchildren because it reminds me of home," she noted.
The Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Cares, Abdulla Ahmed Alshehhi, commented on the impressive volunteer turnout, which doubled expectations with around 400 attendees at the Adnec Centre in Abu Dhabi. The event featured a lively atmosphere as volunteers assembled 10,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, which were then transported to 12 schools across the UAE.
Alshehhi highlighted the collaborative efforts with partners, emphasizing the significant impact of community engagement in addressing social challenges. Faisal Falaknaz, Aldar's Group Chief Financial and Sustainability Officer, praised the event's energy and community spirit, looking forward to similar future events that unite people for noble causes across the UAE.
Founded in 2007 as part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Dubai Cares has been dedicated to enhancing access to education for children and youth in developing countries. The organization has successfully implemented programs benefiting over 24 million individuals in 60 developing nations.
