Volunteering is a way of life

— The time has come to an end for the young students who worked tirelessly, caring for sick patients in the UAE Capital during their school holidays. However, their hard work will forever be appreciated by those who continue to work at the hospital.

Fatima Al Hammadi, training and career development manager, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), said volunteering is not just a job that one should take part in, but it should be a way of life, because it helps elevate one’s own experience and perspective of life itself.

She said volunteers come from different age groups, backgrounds, ethnicities and occupations. Yet all have one goal — To help those in need.

“Since we started the volunteering programme, we have had 3,000 volunteers, and at the moment we have 200.”

“We have a high demand from students, as well as organisations from public and private sectors and even CEOs to volunteer.”

“Volunteering in health sector is a dynamic work environment, every day there are new lessons to learn.”

She highlighted that volunteering works hand-in-hand with the Year of Giving, the Year of Reading and the Year of Tolerance, because it teaches all the above.

Badria Al Zaabi, senior volunteer programme officer, SKMC, said volunteers often have different reasons as to why they choose to spend their free time caring for the sick.

“Activities are endless from data filing to patient activities and teaching classes.”

She said the youngest volunteers the hospital received were 16, while the oldest was 75, however, women between the ages of 16 and 23 are the most common. “Volunteers gain knowledge and experience, which is priceless, and at the same time, they are giving back to the community.”