Video: KT staff lend hand to distribute Iftar meals

KT volunteers joined other volunteers to prepare Iftar for at least 1,800 workers living in Al Quoz 4.

Not just bringing you the news, Khaleej Times volunteers also lent their hands packing food and distributing Iftar meals at a workers' camp in Al Quoz.
KT staff joined other volunteers who worked under the supervision of Watani Al Emarat Foundation on two occasions - June 10 and June 12 - to prepare Iftar for at least 1,800 workers living in Al Quoz 4.
The workers enjoyed a hearty meal of biryani, dates, fruits, laban milk, yoghurt, fruit juice and chocolates, and were also given a bag of rice, provided by Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) and sent by private donors. Volunteers from various companies and religions prepared the food packs; they included Muslims, Christians and Hindus.
The first batch of KT volunteers who came from the finance, credit and collection and advertising departments joined the volunteers on June 10 while staff from advertising, editorial and administration participated on June 12.
Tamima Mohammed Al Naiser, director of event and social projects at Watani Al Emarat Foundation, thanked the KT staff and other volunteers for their generous support. She said 50-60 volunteers give their time and effort everyday during Ramadan.
"Everything is well organised - from the packing of food to the distribution of the meals - because of the unselfish efforts of the volunteers. We have volunteers from various companies, organisations, nationalities and religions and this reflects the spirit of unity and tolerance in the UAE," Al Naiser said.

KT staff and Indian expat Gurav Dhiman said he is always willing to give his time. "I am always happy to volunteer if there's an opportunity. This is my way of honouring our blue-collar workers who toil night and day to help build the city," Dhiman said.
Another KT staff, Zeeshan Mohammed, who himself is fasting, said he didn't feel tired or hungry whenever he is volunteering. "I feel satisfied helping and giving food to my Muslim brothers," he said.
Nithya Reuben, KT assistant manager for services, who has been a UAE resident for 25 years, said being a volunteer is her own "token of gratitude to the UAE for giving her and her family a safe and happy environment".
Moreover, the spirit of volunteerism is best described by 11-year old Lebanese Roy Barhoush, who joined his parents working for a chocolate company, to do volunteering work. He said: "We come here to pack foods and give them to the workers. We know that we are doing good whenever we see the workers smile."Meanwhile, those who are willing to volunteer in the future can do so by registering at www.volunteers.ae/index.aspx or contacting Mohammed Ahmed Al Hajj at 055 584 4474. - angel@khaleejtimes.com
 

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