Varsity students to help the needy

ABU DHABI – A humanitarian programme, ‘Reach out to make hearts happy’, was launched here on Wednesday by the students of the UAE University in Al Ain.

Silvia Radan

Published: Fri 13 Apr 2007, 9:45 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 1:41 AM

The programme, based on volunteer work, aims at helping people from all over the country with healthcare facilities and financial and moral support.

The sponsorship comes from Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, ‘Mother of the Nation’ and president of various women and family organisations, who is also the patron of this programme, as well as various companies.

The ‘Reach out to make hearts happy’ is aimed to encourage the young generation to follow in the steps of Shaikha Fatima in caring about social and human issues; to deepen Islamic values; to reinsure the message of the university in serving the community; and to encourage volunteer work among students.

Practically, a 20-member team of the UAE University will search for people who might need help and study their cases to decide how best they could be helped. Help will be extended to both nationals and expatriates. “Our colleagues will tell us about various cases. We will go to these people and see how we can help them. It could be anything from a trip to the hospital to redecorating their house,” explained Amal Badwawi, a UAE University student and one of the team members of the programme.

She also added that the aid was meant for poor families, elderly and those with serious health problems, such as cancer.

“We already have three cases in Al Ain and two in Dubai. We are going to visit them within the next few days,” Badwawi said.

Ali Salem Al Kaabi, chairperson of the board of trustees of the Family Development Foundation, thanked Shaikha Fatima for her support in this project.

“The Mother of the Nation has so faithfully and ardently shouldered the responsibility of promoting the cause of Emirati and Arab families in all parts of the Arab world,” said Al Kaabi.

He also praised the UAE University students for their work. “The programme reflects their extent of awareness, maturity and sense of responsibility,” pointed out Al Kaabi.