Giving In The Time Of Pandemic: No Slowdown For GE Volunteers In The UAE

Like so much else impacted by COVID-19, this Ramadan, the charitable activities of GE Volunteers had to look very different. In-person activities were out, but collective actions online were in — helping those in need through virtual means during these unprecedented times.

From donating meals via online apps, to teaching students new skills through virtual lessons, the dedicated group of GE Volunteers in the UAE continued to demonstrate the spirit of Ramadan, even in the midst of the country’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” social distancing initiative to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Over the month, volunteers contributed thousands of meals to needy individuals. GE Volunteers partnered on the “One Donation Feeds Two” campaign developed by food app nefsy and the Emirates Red Crescent. The meals funded by the campaign for distribution in the UAE were provided to the UAE Food Bank and contributed to the nationwide “10 Million Meals Campaign.”

GE Volunteers also gave of their time through two different online learning programs launched during Ramadan.They took part in Dubai Chamber’s “Give and Gain” corporate volunteering event, leadinga series of virtual online workshops for students at the GEMS Modern Academy on topics such as “Innovation from Waste,” “Basic Nutrition and Healthcare,” “Leadership,” “Sustainable Goals,” and “Financial Literacy.”

Two other virtual opportunities are in partnership with Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y), an international NGO that teaches entrepreneurism to young people living in extreme poverty or experiencing exclusion. One is a teaching opportunity, during which GE Volunteers helped LP4Y by developing digital remote video lessons, teaching a topic of their own choosing related to business and entrepreneurism. Another is an online art contest for kids, that will see proceeds benefitting those impacted by COVID-19.

GE Volunteers also supported Senses, a Dubai-based residential and daycare center for children of determination, as basic supplies and donations at the Center became impacted due to COVID19. More than 60 volunteers contributed to a virtual supplies drive, ordering food and other items from a Senses “wish list” through their own grocery apps, and having it sent through contactless delivery to the Center. The GE Volunteers were able to provide more than 1,700 kilograms of food and more than 1,000 non-food items.

GE Volunteers activities during Ramadan are just one part of year-round efforts to contribute to the UAE community and support those in need. Read more about GE Volunteer projects in the UAE and across the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Pakistan region.