Dubai Cares

Program Overview

Dubai Cares’ inaugural Volunteer Globally program saw more than 50 UAE residents venture to rural Cambodia to aid in the construction of three primary school buildings from March 27 to May 7, 2009. The initiative was developed to directly involve UAE residents in the work and mission of Dubai Cares, whilst cultivating a sense of civic duty and social responsibility within the UAE.

The new schools are located in one of the poorest regions in the country, Chanleas Dai Commune in Siem Reap. Dubai Cares worked in tandem with PEPY, an established local NGO, and local officials in order to determine the communities most in need of new schools. The project met Dubai Cares’ objective of reducing poverty and improving access to primary education by providing much-needed primary school facilities for more than 777 Cambodia children.

During the week-long trips, four groups of volunteers left behind their usual daily comforts and got a real taste of rural living: bugs, cold showers and searing heat without any air conditioning. Working side-by-side with local community members, they picked up shovels to build a road, hauled bricks and rocks, sanded and painted classrooms and bathrooms, sifted sand for plaster, and sanded and varnished school furniture. While they worked hard to meet their targets, taking time to interact with the close-knit local community and learning about Cambodian culture was an integral part of the experience for many volunteers. Volunteers truly valued the opportunity to make a meaningful and tangible difference in the world.

Implementation

Volunteer Globally was implemented in the following schools: