Wait is over - goodbye 16 years

Dubai - Ghafoor has not had the opportunity to visit home for the last 16 years.

Life in the UAE is glamorous, at the same time it calls for blood, sweat, tears and most importantly, time. The time that keeps one away from loved ones for years together, making it difficult over the years until everything works in favour with them and their circumstances. Expats seek fresh pastures to make a difference to the life of their families; help and support them financially, be the brave person to take the ownership and achieve as much as they can. Khaleej Times, in collaboration with Smart Pay powered by UAE Exchange, launched a Ramadan initiative to allow five expats to return to their respective home countries to spend Eid Al Fitr.

While going through many living tales about their life in the UAE, Ghafoor Koliyeri sure did take us by surprise. Ghafoor hails from Kerala, Calicut, and he is here in Dubai since 1995. Considering 1995, until now, it has been 24 years of his life that he has spent in the UAE all by himself. Koliyeri has been working at Nova Engineering for the last 20 years. Unfortunately, he has not had the opportunity to visit home for the last 16 years, notably during Eid, due to time constraints and financial issues. When asked about his young days and the celebration, he stated how he used to celebrate with his family and get Eidi from his father and how cheerful he use to get on receiving it. You can see that happiness reflecting in his eyes while he expresses his feelings.

Ghafoor continues to dedicate his earnings to his family by sending it home every month. He has been chosen as one of the winners among the five others in this Eid campaign. He is extremely excited and has already thought of special sweets he will take back with him for his family whom he has not met in 16 years. Surely this Eid, by far, would be the best one for him.

Khaleej Times is not only proud but even honoured to have partners such as Smart Pay by UAE Exchange who value the small acts and little things that make a big difference.

• Dubai