After 16 years, he returned to alma mater for a cause
dubai — After Adnan Abdul Qader Al Raeesi graduated from the National Charity School in 2001, he went on to pursue a career in engineering. Adnan had no idea that one day, he would get a chance to not only to give back to his alma mater but also help someone gain quality education in the process.
When Adnan, 33, heard that his alma mater in Garhoud needed help constructing a library, he at once asked his co-workers at his current workplace, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), for ideas. As the area manager for civil and infrastructure projects at EGA, he set off to build the new reading zone for boys at his former school, joined by 30 employees.
“I have worked very hard to get where I am. I began my career as an engineer and am now in a senior position that requires a great deal of focus, but when I heard that the National Charity School needed a library and a mentor for the students, I seized the opportunity to share what little I could,” Adnan told Khaleej Times.
The school already had a small library, but it was not very accessible, so the EGA team built a new open library in the school courtyard, which serves more like a reading zone than a typical library.
Moving mentors
Adnan and EGA also held workshops to assist the school in its programme called MOVE, an initiative that aims to empower 250 underprivileged teens to pursue successful careers and make a difference in their local communities.
Aside from working with students to paint chairs, instal wooden fences, and laminate and categorise the donated books, Adnan and his coworkers also imparted project management skills along with public speaking and design training to the children. The students got to design campaign posters under the supervision and guidance of the EGA design team. This was complemented by workshops on organisation and data management, which they instantly applied to the new library.
Along with professional and personal perspectives, the EGA guys also brainstormed concepts like volunteering, management and social
No matter how many responsibilities you are juggling in life, don’t be stingy with your generosity. Every person has something or the other to give. Give, donate and help as much as you can.” Adnan Abdul Qader Al Raeesi, volunteer
responsibility with the students. The exercise recounted the values of volunteerism and prompted the teens to think about how to improve the spaces they enjoy every day.
“We gain so much more than just an education from our school and college, so it is imperative that we try to give back as much as possible. It was a very emotional three-week journey for me as I got a chance to revisit my alma mater and contribute after 16 years. My employer and colleagues were extremely supportive and we would look forward to the hours of 7am to 1pm every Thursday, to help build this outdoor reading zone,” Adnan noted.
Volunteering well
The EGA team also represent the growing trend of volunteerism that is sweeping the UAE, in line with 2017 named the Year of Giving by the President, His Hghness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Adnan’s colleague Amira, with EGA’s communications team, said: “Volunteering for this amazing initiative was so fulfilling as it gave me a chance to do what I love — imparting knowledge. I got the chance to hold public speaking workshop for these students who were waiting to learn and be inspired.”
At the end of the project, EGA also donated over 100 books to National Charity School.
Adnan added: “No matter how many responsibilities you are juggling in life, don’t be stingy with your generosity. Every person has something or the other to give. So if you get an opportunity to donate your time or utilise your resources to benefit others, don’t wait. Give, donate and help as much as you can.”