Combating coronavirus: Expats volunteering after jobs to keep up community spirit

Dubai - 'I see the UAE as my second home and there could be no better way to prove my gratitude'

British-Egyptian expat Ahmed Mohamed Ali began volunteering from April at Dubai hospital and the Dubai Municipality clinic. A construction site project manager by profession, he dedicates around six hours daily to volunteering work.
Six hours for others
"I started volunteering for Takatuf, Emirates Youth Foundation. I helped at the hospital for around 10 days, checking the temperature of people coming into the hospital. And then, I have been supporting in Dubai Municipality clinic, managing and coordinating the people coming in for coronavirus tests, making sure that their mobile numbers are written and they go through smooth process coming into the clinic.

"During Ramadan, we were distributing Ramadan boxes - each weighing around 26kg containing rice, oil, lentils, potatoes, onions and other essentials - to different families in the UAE. We were also providing daily meals to those who were stuck here due to the pandemic."

Ahmed also launched a running challenge - #Eid2EidChallenge - to raise money for Al Jalila Foundation that has been endorsed by the sports council. "We wear full PPE while volunteering and maintain social distance at 1.5 to 2 metres away from anyone. For me, as long as I am taking my precautions then I would rather utilise my time, making a positive impact and being part of the solution," said Ahmed, who has been staying in the UAE for three years and is currently looking for a job.

"Every act of kindness makes a difference. If I am able to offer them something and seeing a smile coming from their heart, it would be all what matters to me and what motivates me to keep going.

"The appreciation from the individuals we support and making their life easier and reassuring them make them happy and you can tell that they appreciate the work we do," he noted.
To help where I grew up
It is sheer passion for reaching out that drives Mostafa Mohammed Mohammdi Ahmed, an Egyptian computer engineer, who has been living in the UAE for 27 years. Mustafa goes out of his daily routine to be engaged in volunteering work in organising people who want to get tested for Covid-19.

"My part is to help the medical teams in the testing process. What prompts me to volunteer in the frontlines of the combat against the coronavirus is to help the community where I grew up, especially in these hard times. It is far better and more useful than to just stay at home. "I also volunteered during Ramadan to help the Covid-19 affected families and in the 10-million meals initiative that was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai."
Not concerned about myself
For Pakistani expat Razia Murad, a former teacher of Islamic studies, the motivation is quite different. Despite being a housewife with children, she stepped out of her family life to join in the efforts to fight Covid-19.
"The difficulties include mainly being at the hospital's entrance, taking the temperature of incoming people, while not knowing whether they are normal or virus carriers," said the part-time makeup artist and a volunteer.
"My concern is not for my own safety - because I can assume responsibility for the risks I am exposing myself to - but rather for that of my family and children. However, it is a commitment I took willingly and out of full passion and conviction. I see the UAE as my second home and there could be no better way to prove my gratitude for this beloved country where I grew up."

mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai