The Environmental Agency of Abu Dhabi
EAD for short, runs various volunteer programmes, mainly consisting of beach clean-up campaigns along Abu Dhabi’s endless shoreline. These, rather sensibly, tend to take place during the cooler months (Feb-Mar and Oct-Dec), but there is as yet no structured volunteer programme. Other than the clean-up operations, helpers are also required to help raise awareness of environmental issues, which often translates as guest speaking at schools or helping with exhibitions.
To get involved, email customerservice@ead.ae to put your name down on the waiting list.
Abu Dhabi Mums
A volunteer organisation originally set up as a social meeting club for mothers with pre-school children, Abu Dhabi Mums has since seen its numbers swell, with over 600 members from around 50 different nationalities. Promoting the physical, cognitive and social development of children of six years and under, at its heart it is still a voluntary organization, and it welcomes mums (with children of the appropriate age) willing to run groups, join the committee, help with projects, or apply for one of the coordinator positions.
Visit www.abudhabimums.ae or email ad_mums@emirates.net.ae for more information.
Feline Friends
Cat cuddling may sound like an occupation best done in private, but it is a necessary part of the feline rehoming process – as is helping trap stray cats, fostering them until homes can be found, raising awareness of the importance of sterilisation in street cats, going on emergency calls and donating your time to making things to sell on stalls and at garage sales.
Visit www.felinefriendsuae.com to download a volunteer form.
Takatof
During Ramadan, Takatof volunteers conducted case studies on a number of families in disadvantaged areas of the northern Emirates. It found that house renovations were the most common gripe. Building upon that information, they have since started organising teams of volunteers (particularly encouraging ‘the young’ to lend their support), to help with humanitarian, social and community projects, including renovating and fixing up homes belonging to the individuals most in need.
Visit www.takatof.ae for more information.
Gulf 4 Good
There was a time when submerging yourself in a bathtub of baked beans was the most that charity could demand of you. Well, times have changed. Avoiding poisonous snakes and spiders is de rigueur for the modern charity volunteer, particularly those involved with UAE organization Gulf 4 Good, whose participants tend to explore the inner reaches of some of the most challenging landscapes the world has to offer, all in aid of raising funds for handpicked charities in the region. One of the challenges for 2010 includes hiking, cycling and kayaking in Thailand as part of the Golden Triangle Multi-Challenge, Nov 11-20.
For more info, call 04 368 0222; www.gulf4good.org
Future Centre for Special Needs
Abu Dhabi’s Future Centre is about helping students with special needs to develop the skills needed for life. In-school classroom assistants and volunteers to help teach PE (football, basketball, bowling etc) and swimming are always needed – students in the past have competed in the Paralympics. Volunteers will have to undergo a short interview, and then, if successful, a trial period can be arranged.
Call 02 666 0923 or visit www.future-centre.com for more information.
Strays of Abu Dhabi
They’re not known as ‘man’s best friend’ for nothing! Strays of Abu Dhabi, or SAD for short, runs a dog rescue charity out of the American Veterinary Clinic (02 665 5044) and is always on the lookout for suitable adoptive owners. But if that’s too much of a commitment, it also requires temporary foster parents prepared to home a dog for a few months, to get them used to a domestic environment. And finally, if that’s too much, you can volunteer as a dog walker – after all, it’s excellent exercise.
For info, call 050 130 7392; www.straysofabudhabi.com.
St Andrews Church: Thrift Store
Thrift stores, or charity shops, aren’t that common in the UAE, which is odd given the amount of disposable goods shed when expats shuffle off this mortal emirate. Abu Dhabi’s thrift store, at St Andrew’s Church, located off Airport Road, is run by a group of around 20 volunteers. It always needs manning and accepts donations of clothes, toys, electrical equipment and all the usual bric-a-brac you find in a charity shop. Have a clear-out and see what you can find.
Call 02 446 4193 for more info.
Terry Fox Run
Usually held in Abu Dhabi in February, the annual Terry Fox Run – the 8.5km marathon held across the world in aid of cancer research – is not a race, so you can walk, skate or run; it doesn’t matter, so long as you help raise money. Or if you’re not up to the exercise, you can still make a difference. Organisers also look for people to help volunteer with running the event, from joining the committee and selling T-shirts in the malls (all ages welcome, but teenagers must be accompanied by an adult) to helping out on the day with registration or acting as run marshals.
Visit www.terryfoxrun.org for further information.
Red Crescent Society (RCA)
Founded in 1983 with strong support from the late Sheikh Zayed, the RCA’s humanitarian work provides help and assistance to the most vulnerable groups of people around the world. Main activities of the RCA include providing sponsorship for orphans, medical and educational assistance, and responding to aid appeals – it is the only charitable entity in the country representing the International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent in accordance with the rules laid down in international conventions. In the past, Red Crescent aid has helped victims of the Haiti earthquake; Palestinians in Gaza and under-privileged families living in the UAE.
Visit www.rcuae.ae for further information.
