Helping Hands – our readers’ generosity raises Dh2 million for those in need
Since Helping Hands began in 2015, readers have pledged Dh2m to assist the needy, writes Shireena Al Nowais
Readers of The National have raised more than Dh2 million to improve and even save the lives of UAE residents going through hard times.
In the three years since our Helping Hands series launched, those in need have been taken aback by the kindness of strangers who funded urgent medical care and helped to pay off debt. Outcomes were not always a success, but in three years dozens of people have received help.
“We hope readers know what a huge life-saving difference their donations make,” said Hisham Al Zahrani, manager of zakat and social services at Dar Al Ber Society, which The National work with for Helping Hands.
Mandatory health care ensures everyone in Dubai and Abu Dhabi receives a standard of treatment, paid for by their employer. But mandatory cover is not extensive and in the Northern Emirates, many are without insurance at all and still pay for treatment in cash. In addition to money pledged, many hospitals provided free medical care to those without insurance or who were not fully covered, having seen those in need.
Our first case was published in October 2015. It told the story of Sudanese national Ahmed Yousif and his wife, who could not afford medical treatment for their newborn, who was born at 24 weeks, instead of 38.
Soon saddled with a bill that hit Dh240,000, Mr Yousif risked jail and deportation by writing blank cheques that he could not honour. When his situation came to light, the money poured in, helping to clear the debt he owed.
Yesterday, he praised the “kindness of the community”.
“They wouldn’t let our family suffer,” he said with a smile.
Since the launch of our weekly Helping Hands series in October 2015, readers of The National have donated Dh2 million, changing the lives of residents in distress.
Our readers have helped more than 100 people of many nationalities who have one thing in common – they had fallen on hard times, facing sickness, debt, deportation and sometimes death for want of funds. On top of that, hospitals and medical centres have donated treatment.
For three years, The National has collaborated with Dubai charity the Dar Al Ber Society to publish the cases of residents in need of assistance.
The partnership is of particular significance because under UAE law it is prohibited to raise funds or ask for donations without a permit. Helping Hands donations go directly to Dar Al Ber, which uses the money to pay debts or medical bills.
Hisham Al Zahrani, manager of zakat and social services at Dar Al Ber Society, said a lack of health insurance is problem in most of the cases they see.
“Many in the Northern Emirates in particular don’t have health insurance, and those who do often have limited cover,” he said.
From the beginning
The National’s first case was published on October 24, 2015. It told the story of a Sudanese couple who could not afford medical treatment for their newborn, with a bill that had hit Dh240,000. Father Ahmed Yousif risked jail and deportation.
“We tried to delay the delivery as much as we could so the baby could survive,” Mr Yousif said at the time. “But my wife delivered a few days later.”
The baby was placed in an intensive-care incubator for three months. By the time he was discharged, the family’s hospital bill had rocketed.
“My wife’s health insurance didn’t cover maternity,” Mr Yousif said. “I paid additional for it to include maternity. Unfortunately, her health insurance came into effect right after she delivered. We had no idea that she would have the baby early.”
Mr Yousif gave the hospital blank cheques to release his son.
Whether it was the newborn’s picture that moved so many to provide assistance or the a deep empathy for what it’s like to be desperate is hard to say, but to Mr Al Zahrani this was “one of the most memorable cases”.
As soon as the article was published, donations poured in, and the entire hospital bill was soon cleared.
“We expected this because of the kindness of the community – they wouldn’t let our family suffer,” Mr Yousif said. “Thank God and The National and Dar Al Ber and every person who helped us through these difficult times.”
“Yes, we were worried,” his wife said. “But I knew deep down that when people read about our case then they would definitely help.”
Mr Al Zahrani said: “It was exhilarating and heart-warming to see such generosity. Complete strangers and sometimes companies were calling us and asking how they could help.”
‘This is all I wanted’
In another case, published in 2016, Zakareya Taher suffered kidney failure more than a year before and had lost his job as a result.
“I go three times a week for dialysis for four hours and I’m always tired,” said Mr Taher, 45. “No job would put up with that.”
While his employer assured his employment visa was in order, the father of four had no insurance and no income. His dialysis sessions were costly and going back to his home country of Ethiopia was not an option.
“I can’t go back home for dialysis or a transplant because it’s not available. We live more than 2,000 kilometres from Addis Ababa,” Mr Taher said.
He had to pay Dh9,000 for dialysis every month. He asked for help to pay for up to six months of treatment until his operation. He also owed the hospital Dh3,000.
Readers’ donations helped pay off his hospital bill and a few months of dialysis.
“This is all I wanted. Thank God,” Mr Taher said. “Any time now, I will do the transplant and no longer need dialysis or be depend on charity. “I can stand on my own two feet and will not be a burden on anyone.”
Another life saved
More recently was the case of newlywed Filipina Jackielyn Quiasmbao. She faced four-hour dialysis sessions three times a week until she found her medical insurance did not cover her.
“My insurance covered the first three sessions and then stopped paying for it,” she said. One of her sessions of dialysis cost Dh653 and Ms Quiasmbao earned only Dh3,000 a month.
“Dialysis will cost more than Dh7,000 [a month], which is more than double my salary,” she said.
Ms Quiasmbao was on the waiting list at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City for a kidney transplant and in the meantime had to be on dialysis.
After reading about her case, a health centre offered her free dialysis sessions at her home, which effectively gave Ms Quiasmbao her life back.
“The ability to have control of your life again not only creates a healthier state of mind but also takes the burden off family members that have to support you when travelling to a dialysis unit three times a week,” said the centre, Freedom Home Hemodialysis.
“We hope that Jackielyn will benefit from our service and that her transplant will be successful in the next two months, inshallah,” .
Ms Quiasmbao had her first dialysis session at home last week. “I am so happy and so grateful,” she said. “This is much easier for me and now I am just awaiting the transplant and no longer have to worry about how I will pay for my dialysis.”
Some of the cases are contacted by government hospitals and private health centres, which provide the procedures for free, Mr Al Zahrani said.
A family flies home
Readers’ donations also helped Mohammad Mohsin to send his family home to Pakistan. We published his case in November 2016 and, at the time, Mr Mohsin had lost his job as a taxi driver and had decided to take his family back to Pakistan.
But his wife had given birth to their third daughter, Hooria, in the UAE, and he had a large medical bill to pay.
“My wife had a Caesarean and because we had no health insurance. The operation cost Dh20,000,” said Mr Mohsin, 31. “The hospital refused to give me a birth certificate unless I paid all the money.”
He had been unemployed for more than a year and was living illegally in Dubai. His children had no legal status in the country. His biggest obstacle to returning home was the hospital fees.
“Without a birth certificate, I can’t get my daughter a passport so we can all travel back home,” Mr Mohsin said. “My two other daughters have passports, but passports without a valid residency visa are a problem and [we are] illegal.”
His daughter was 7 and had not yet started school.
“To go to school she needs to have a residence visa and she doesn’t have one,” he said. “We also have no health insurance, so we are worried when someone gets sick.”
Today, after Helping Hands and reader donations, Mr Mohsin’s family are in Pakistan.
“I am still here in Dubai looking for a job but I feel better knowing that my family are back home,” he said. “Without the assistance I received, I would never have been able to do that.”
We’re just getting started
Not all cases receive such healthy responses, though, and some do not receive any support, which Mr Al Zahrani said is “the saddest part of our job”.
“In our eyes, everyone deserves assistance,” he said.
Helping Hands will continue to be published every week to help those most in need.
“We hope readers know what a huge life-saving difference their donations make,” Mr Al Zahrani said.
For three years, The National has collaborated with Dubai charity the Dar Al Ber Society to highlight cases of residents in need of assistance