In a city where life is tough for those in need, one group is establishing itself above the rest through a different agenda. Cause Connect, a non-profit organisation started in August 2011, is leading the way with an intriguing service. Working with existing charitable bodies, the group unites different interested parties behind one cause.
Cause Connect was developed by five young people living in Abu Dhabi: Suparna Mathur, Mame Diop, Soffia Diop, Yassmeen Hashim and Tariq Jallad. All had already been involved in charities beforehand, and the idea of the group was to create a place where different institutions and people could collaborate for a specific cause. ‘Instead of competing with the existing charities,’ Suparna, the group’s co-founder, tells us. ‘We offer a forum for many different bodies to work together.’
One of the group’s unique attributes is that they are against fundraising. ‘Instead of raising money, we prefer to give something tangible,’ says Suparna. For example, the group had heard of a special needs classroom that was after an iPad for learning. Cause Connect sent out an appeal to the community and within ten days had received three. In another effort, the group facilitated and coordinated an excursion for children to Al Ain Zoo. One of the most notable events in the group’s canon is the Pink Fitness campaign. In order to raise awareness about breast cancer, the group hosts regular exercise classes such as boot camp, Pilates, yoga and Zumba. Participants dress in pink and work out together, helping to raise awareness about the issue throughout the year, not just in October. The classes take place at Khalidiyah Rayhaan by Rotana, as well as other locations.
For this festive season, the group is planning a special evening for 330 women in a labour camp. This particular camp had never been visited by any charities previously. On December 21, Cause Connect
will hold a dinner, as well as hand out gifts to all the ladies.
The group has always worked with labour camps in the city, however this is the first time they approached this one in particular. ‘Most of the women are here working and have left their families and loved ones behind, so it would be a sad time for them,’ says Suparna.
Cause Connect has persuaded local hotels to donate the food and is approaching different companies to provide gifts. ‘It is much easier to ask a company to give 330 hats instead of a certain amount of money,’ continues Suparna, ‘When we donate cash, some people might not be sure where the money is going, however when you donate 100 teddy bears for children, then you are confident that your donation reached its intended party.’
The group is also looking for volunteers to help out at this festive event on the evening itself. Interested parties can contact the group through their Facebook page (see details below). The group usually relies on social media to put their messages out, as well as reach volunteers.
Acting as an umbrella organisation seems to be paying off. Since the group’s inauguration, they have hosted many successful events and campaigns and they are bringing together major associations and volunteers for good causes. ‘When we help the underprivileged people, it shows them the community cares, and that’s very important,’ Suparna tells us. ‘By asking everyone for a little, we do a lot.’
For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AbuDhabiCauseConnect. For more information about Pink Fitness email ADPinkFitness@gmail.com.
