Why I volunteer

Residents speak about how reaching out to society makes all the difference in everyday reality

Stephanie Sutherland, American, 43,

We ran a fruit and vegetable bus into the camps as part of the SMART LIFE SMART DISTRIBUTION. Our community has been successful in gathering and donating over 20,000 bags of fresh fruits and veggies to workers.

It’s important for us to show how thankful we are by making this community feel a part of a larger whole, that we all move as one.

We start planning a Ramadan programme alongside some of our partners, and collect necessary items to support our community.

The workers’ community holds a special place in my heart. I have yet to know a greater feeling or more gratitude that is sometimes only communicated with a smile or a handshake.

Aishwarya Joshi, Indian,

The Lighthouse Cohort, a Dubai-based social enterprise that supports charitable initiatives through the channels of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Each one of us has the ability to change something positively around us. Volunteering gives you a taste of this strength inside you.

Volunteering is not an end in itself but a means to an end. Bringing about a sustainable change is a full-time job and needs time and perseverance at many levels.

Dubai resident of 11 years

a green and plastic-free Ramadan in labour housing clusters. While supporting the labour clusters with useful gifts through Smart distribution — an initiative by Smartlife Foundation during Ramadan, we have formally initiated the message of replacing plastic goody bags with eco-friendly jute or non-woven bags.

Especially in today’s model of the world, if a community or corporate makes well-informed decisions and perceives charity as an initial social investment with tangible and intangible returns, it will go a long way to support the 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030.