Sharjah family delivers care packages and dry goods to those in need
A family in Sharjah set up an initiative to support people on low incomes during Ramadan by providing dry goods and cleaning products.
Ayesha Sohail, 38, set up the UAE Fusion Socialites Facebook group eight years ago with the aim of bringing the community together and helping those in need.
More than 19,000 people have since joined the group to help deliver household essentials, free of charge, to more than 10,000 people and families in need across the Emirates.
During Ramadan last year, Ms Sohail, from Pakistan, helped her group deliver 2,388 grocery boxes, valued at Dh385 ($105) each.
“I started the Facebook group as a way to socialise with people, but after a few meetups I quickly realised that we could use it as leverage to help people,” she told The National.
“Initially, we started packing and delivering boxes to individuals during Ramadan, because a lot of people are away from their families at this time.
“We pack the boxes with 10-kilogram bags of flour and rice, packets of noodles, Tang, washing powder, toiletries and other household essentials.
“If we can take away the burden of daily spending, that will help these people in the long run.”
People in need of assistance can send a private message to Ms Sohail on Facebook. Requests are then sent to members, who deliver the boxes.
In the past week, Ms Sohail delivered more than 300 boxes to drivers, labourers and grocery shop workers in Dubai, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ajman.
“I have lived in the UAE for 28 years and I know some people are struggling financially,” she said.
“I just feel it is my duty to give back to a community that has given so much to me over the years.
“We have been doing this for seven years now and the community keeps growing, which means that every year we get to help more people in need.
“We have helped residents from all walks of life, including a lady who was born with no legs and a carpenter who was struggling to support his family.”
Ms Sohail, who is accompanied by her husband and 12-year-old son Mohammed on deliveries, said the initiative would not be as successful without the help of social media and “the kind UAE souls”.
Throughout the holy month, her family and other members of the group will respond to as many requests as possible and hope to exceed last year’s total.
Rawya Abdel Kader, Facebook’s communications manager in the Mena region, said there were many examples of social media platforms being used in the UAE to help community initiatives reach far and wide.
“It’s so often in times of crisis that we see the best in people, and the remarkable ways that technology is used,” she said.
“In recent weeks, we have seen inspiring examples of individuals and groups helping each other on our platforms, such as Ayesha Sohail, who is encouraging her group’s members to donate groceries to lowincome families.”
On the eve of Ramadan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, unveiled a plan to fund 100 million free meals in 20 countries across the region.
A website was set up to receive donations. People can give as little as Dh10 to the campaign to fund 10 meals.
I have lived in the UAE for 28 years ... I just feel it is my duty to give back to a community that has given so much to me AYESHA SOHAIL
UAE Fusion Socialites