Dubai Cares has recently held a screening of a documentary detailing the story of sixteen UAE-based volunteers who helped build a school in the village of Barkamuda in Nepal. The initiative was spearheaded by Dubai Cares as part of Volunteer Globally 2014, a key part of the organization's community engagement initiatives.
As showcased in the documentary, the UAE-based volunteers joined the Dubai Cares team in November 2014 on a week-long mission to build a school in Nepal. The team assisted in digging, picking and sifting materials as well as mixing concrete, making bricks and transporting water. They also participated in daily cultural workshops and interacted with local families to gain a better understanding of the practices and culture of the indigenous population. The school is expected to benefit 150 children and indirectly benefit 1,000 officials and teachers in the village over the coming years.
Speaking about the initiative and the documentary film, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares emphasized the UAE community's advocacy of international humanitarian programs, especially those related to education: "This project was a labor of love for the community members, who signed up for the Dubai Cares Volunteer Globally initiative. We organized the screening of the documentary so we can show the tremendous amount of determination, hard work and compassion they brought towards building this school. The entire group of volunteers worked hand in hand with the local community and in the process became part of a larger community working to bring a dream to life. It is a case study of the work Dubai Cares does in developing countries around the globe. At the same time, it also underscores the UAE community's role in championing education in communities that have the initiative but lack the resources to set up schools."
Volunteer Globally 2014 was sponsored by Enerplastics, as part of their efforts to support community programs. The screening event also received support from A4 Space by Alserkal Avenue, which provided the host venue; and Abela & Co, which sponsored the catering services for this event.
Aman-ur Rahman, Chairman of Enerplastics said: "Education is the most powerful tool that can change the world."
Commenting on their volunteering experiences, some of the participating volunteers said:
"The experience was amazing and life changing. Being with the families and people from the village was the most significant thing as we could see what the school meant to them" - Damian Milton
"I feel really close to the group we went with and we are like family now. I would definitely recommend it to somebody who is adventurous, likes to help, doesn't mind getting their hands dirty and is willing to work hard" – Jesse Guillen
"This experience will change a person's perspective, belief and appreciation of things" - Mohammed Al Ahbabi
Community engagement is one of the main pillars of Dubai Cares, a global philanthropic organization that provides children in developing countries with access to quality primary education through the design and funding of integrated programs that are impactful, sustainable and scalable. This year, the organization already implemented three successful community engagement initiatives: "Rebuild Palestine. Start with Education.", the annual Walk for Education, and the first of three editions of Volunteer Emirates 2015. For more information on Dubai Cares and Volunteer Globally, please visit www.dubaicares.ae