A single mother who was made redundant due to Covid-19 is desperately looking for full-time work so she can continue with medical treatment for her son.
Neelam Bhatia, who has lived in the UAE for more than 20 years, lost her job as a sales representative two months ago.
Her 22-year-old son, Dhiren Bhatia, is autistic and has neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on nerve tissue.
As his sole carer, she said she has struggled to keep up with his annual medical check-ups due to a lack of finances.
“I lost my job on July 12,” she said.
“I am staying in a studio apartment given to me by my previous company and have to vacate the premises in November as the tenancy contract expires.
“If I can't find a job before this, my fear is that my son and I will have no home to go to.
“To add to my concern, his condition is not covered under insurance but he needs regular follow-ups with the doctors.”
Ms Bhatia, from India, said her previous employer has been a huge support in the past, providing accommodation for her and Dhiren.
Her former employer also agreed to keep her current visa active until March next year as she continues her job search.
“They have been a blessing to me but my focus now is on finding work so I can support my son and I,” she said.
“Both my parents have passed away and my husband abandoned us many years ago so Dubai is my only home, we want to stay here.”
Dhiren, who was previously under the care of a specialist hospital in Dubai, is required to have regular MRI scans to check on the progress of his tumours.
With a full body scan costing close to Dh20,000, the mother-of-one said he was due a check-up in January but she was unable to secure a sponsor for the scan.
“I can’t afford to pay for it myself. In the past, the scans and treatment have been sponsored by kind donors,” she said.
"If someone could help support Dhiren's check-ups annually it would be a big weight off my shoulders.
“Right now, I just need help finding a job. If someone can give me that chance then I can sustain a life for my son and I.
“I know there are a lot of people in my position who have lost their job due to coronavirus but my situation is different.
“I am a single mother and the sole carer to my son who has special needs. I have to work to survive and pay for my son’s medical bills.”
The duo have been surviving on little money since July but food donations from friends and community members have helped get them by.
And although Ms Bhatia's current visa is open until March next year, she said Dhiren's will expire in January.
"If I find a job I can sponsor him under my visa again, but without one it will be difficult, if not impossible, to finance it on my own," she said.
"I am an optimistic person so I believe that very soon I will be back on my feet again."
Ms Bhatia has experience working in sales and finance and is ideally suited for a role in administration, accounts, customer service or credit control.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
OIL PLEDGE
At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
