ABU DHABI // Most people would expect a trip to the Philippines to be relaxing, full of beautiful beaches, landmarks and rich culture.
But for six young Emiratis, their visit opened their eyes to the difficulties faced by many in the impoverished nation.
Their 15-day visit, recorded by the Beyond Borders documentary series, changed their lives.
Leaving behind their home comforts, including electronic devices, they stayed with local families and volunteered at factories, farms and charity projects in and around the capital, Manila.
The three men and three women saw ingenuity, entrepreneurship and sustainability as well as extreme poverty.
“It opened our eyes,” said Fatimah Abdullah Farah, 21 .
“We saw the people who need charity are not just pictures but they are real people we lived and spent time with.”
Since meeting those who have significantly less, Fatimah now appreciates everything she has.
“I’ve stopped shopping, even for shoes,” she said.
“I found there are more important things to spend on, such as my education and charity projects that I am now involved in.”
The graphic design student at Zayed University is volunteering her artistic talents to paint children’s faces at various events.
After the airing of the show, produced by Image Nation, she said felt obligated to share her experiences so people might change their ways for the better.
“Just last night a group of girls recognised me and asked me about my experience,” Fatimah said.
Mariam Al Kuwaiti said many of her habits have changed.
“I don’t buy what I want, I buy what I need,” she said. “Even my eating habits have changed as I only eat enough to satisfy me and won’t throw food away.”
The UAE University student also said she was having an effect on her family and friends.
“My brother is used to consuming a lot, so I’m reminding him all the time,” she said.
Mariam said she was trying to tackle her seven-year-old sibling’s habit of taking long showers by telling him about those who barely have enough water to drink, never mind wash.
“He’s always asking me if the series is made up or if it’s real because he can’t believe kids his age barely having enough to eat,” she said.
“People are not only listening to me but their habits are changing because they can see it on the show.”
When sharing his profound experiences, Mohammed Al Ameri, 18, said his family and friends found his stories hard to believe.
“I value every dirham I have now and don’t spend nearly as much and I’m always telling those around me you don’t need more iPads or iPods,” he said.
Mohammed, from Al Gharbia, said he had been teaching those around him about the hardships faced by many Filipinos in the UAE and the value of their friendships.
Ahmed Al Ghurair, 19, said he had learnt a lesson his father had been trying to teach him.
“I realise the value of money now and the responsibility of those with abundance have to make life better for others,” he said.
talsubaihi@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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).
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
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Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
EXPATS
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
