Pakistani youths promise to volunteer for 100 hours

Dubai - Aligned with the Year of Zayed, the drive is aimed at university students, who are ambitious to polish their skills and give back to the community.

The Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) is motivating youngsters to dedicate 100 hours in the Year of Zayed towards community service. Recently, the association launched 'Own an Hour' programme for the youth, which received an overwhelming response. Over 50 Pakistani students participated in the programme with a promise that they would volunteer through their skills and expertise towards the community.
Aligned with the Year of Zayed, the drive is aimed at university students, who are ambitious to polish their skills and give back to the community.
The initiative promotes the concept of paying tribute to the UAE's founding father by completing 100 hours of volunteering work in 2018 that also marks 100 years since the birth of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
"The best way to celebrate the Year of Zayed would be by spreading Zayed's glorious legacy, his noble values by introducing these ideas to new generations," said Dr Faisel Ikram, president of PAD. "Youth is our future and it is upon our shoulders to nurture, support and instil in them the importance of community service."
He added that the Community Development Authority (CDA) has been extremely supportive of their programmes and this gives them the confidence to launch more innovative projects.
"The trainers and mentors of the programme are also those who wish to contribute towards the community by sharing their knowledge and empowering the youth" noted Dr Ikram.
The 'Own an Hour' programme consists of five modules wherein each module is divided into various learning and practical training sessions. The modules are creative design, web design and development, film and photography, journalism and media and event management.
It is an internship programme which requires the interns to complete 100 hours of training. It specifically targets university students and also has few seats for the community. 
Programme coordinator Huda Kanwal said: "Each module is further divided into two parts - learning (25 hours) and practical (75 hours). The module-based training will require volunteers to attend two sessions every month until the completion of the programme." She added that the practical part involves volunteers participating in tasks and duties for the organisation in concurrence with the module portion of the programme.
"Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, had launched the 'Day for Dubai' initiative. The PAD's 'Own an Hour' programme is fully aligned with the Day for Dubai initiative and aims to involve youth in it." 
Reema Waseem, an undergraduate student of media sciences at the SZABIST University, said: "I have opted for journalism and film and photography modules and am very pleased to be part of the programme. After attending the sessions, I have realised that this platform is not only providing education through experienced professionals but also giving me an opportunity to build my future in a better way."
Another student Urooj Qasim from Heriot-Watt studying creative design and event management, said: "My first day at PAD was very informative and the programme seems very promising."
saman@khaleejtimes.com
 

• UAE
• Dubai