300 cleaners celebrate Women’s Day with gusto and gifts
DUBAI — Around 300 women cleaners enjoyed a memorable evening on Monday, thanks to the Dar Al Ber Society (Dabs).
The Dubai-based charity organised a free dinner, games and gifts to celebrate International Women’s Day with them.
The Berkely women’s accommodation in Al Qouz industrial area was buzzing with laughter and happy slogans as the female workers gathered in the small courtyard of their accommodation to enjoy the party.
“After a long time, we felt like young girls in school today as we played fun games such as tug of war, cracked jokes, sang songs and shared our stories. It is a rare occasion when we all get to interact with each other and have fun. Most of us do not get the time to mingle or talk to each other as we are working in different shifts and have a hectic schedule,” said Ruby
These events make us feel loved and we feel that yes, at least someone cares for us too. These are the moments we will cherish forever.” Ruby Akhtar, Bangladeshi worker
Akhtar, a 39-year-old Bangladeshi worker.
“We do not get time to play games or share our stories the way we are doing today. I did not even know that so many of us stay in this accommodation. But these events make us feel loved and we feel that yes, at least someone cares for us too. These are the moments we will cherish forever.”
The gifts included shoes, bags, umbrellas, mugs and other useful items. Dabs representatives also served them free biryani, fruits, laban, water, cookies etc. during the party.
These women, we believe, are real fighters for many reasons. They are playing the role of the bread winner of the house and that too with a smile.” Hisham Al Zahrani, deputy director, social sector, Dabs
Hisham Al Zahrani, deputy dir-ector of social sector at Dabs, said: “We, at the Dar Al Ber Society, care for the happiness of women workers and always provide support to them as they are away from their homes and families. These women are our sisters and that’s why we gave them gifts and dinner to make them feel special and cared for.”
Lauding the hard work of the cleaners, Juhi Yasmeen Khan, corporate social responsibility and charity initiative expert at Dabs, said: “These women, we believe are real fighters for many reasons. They are away from their children, which is quite tough for mothers, especially those with small children. They are playing the role of the bread winner of the family and that too, with a smile. They don’t earn much, yet they don’t complain. Therefore, on the occasion of women’s day, Dabs wanted to make them feel special and loved. So we organised this gettogether for them.”
Also, special gifts were handed out to a few of the women, based on their popularity at the accommodation. Susamma from India won a gas stove for being the most kind person in the accommodation, as voted by her fellow workers.
The winning tug-of-war team won garment racks and clocks. Another lady, Mounisha, a Bangladeshi national, won a fashionable leather bag after being voted the funniest person around and for entertaining other ladies with her jokes. “As Dubai is aiming to be the happiest city in the world, Dar Al Ber Society will keep doing its bit, by organising such events and activities in the future also,” added Al Zahrani.