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Al Bayt Mitwahid Association today announced details of its campaign for 2014, which includes 10 new, high-impact initiatives planned to take place across the UAE and aiming to address the needs of the community and allow people to give back to it. The initiatives build on the success of last year’s campaign and target different segments of the community.
Al Bayt Mitwahid campaign was launched by the employees of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court on the 41st UAE National Day in 2012. In January of this year, Al Bayt Mitwahid was established as an association and registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs to provide an open platform for members of the community and organisations to give back to society by taking part in creating, funding , planning and implementing initiatives and programs that address community needs in the UAE.
The campaign is inspired by the famous words "We are well as long as our home is united (Al Bayt Mitwahid)”, spoken in Arabic in 2012 by His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The 2014 initiatives were developed after a series of brainstorming sessions and inviting the public to share their ideas for community initiatives, in parallel with consultation and coordination with the local and federal authorities. The 2014 Initiatives include three UAE-wide initiatives (Journey of the Union and Building Bridges and another initiative under planning) and Seven Emirate specific initiatives.
UAE-Wide initiatives:
‘The Journey of the Union’ initiative is a 10-day journey for school students from all the Emirates, and aims to promote feelings of unity and solidarity and raise awareness of the key sectors in the UAE, its history and develop an understanding of the government’s vision. It will include visits to key industries and attractions, in addition to engagement with high-level representatives of the Government, semi-government and private sectors.
The ‘Building Bridges’ initiative aims to strengthen the bond with all segments of society through visits and engagement activities at special needs centres, elderly homes, and hospitals in the UAE. “The purpose of these visits is to reconnect with members of the community who need our attention most, and to dedicate a part of our day to give back in some way,” Mariam Al Kendi, one of the key organizers of the initiative said. The Building Bridges initiative is already under way, with the kick-off coinciding with Zayed Humanitarian Day. It aims to offer moral support and activities while preventing the loneliness experienced by the hospital patients, orphans, elderly and special need people. During the kick-off events, volunteers from all the emirates participated in distributing greetings and symbolic gifts, organizing activities such as book readings, poetry readings and board games during the visits.
The team is currently working on the planning of a third UAE-Wide initiative which will be announced in the coming few weeks.
Emirate specific initiatives include:
Dubai: “Private Sector Ambassadors” initiative will allow top students in Dubai make better-informed decisions regarding their future careers through internships with local and international private sector players in the key sectors.
Sharjah: a ”Social Innovation Contest” initiative is a contest that will encourage social innovation and reward the best creative ideas that develop solutions to challenges that face the community in Sharjah.
Ajman: “The Ajman Walk” initiative includes the development of a walkway with a designated cycling track to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.
Ras Al Khaimah: “The Little Thinker” initiative aims to develop creative problem solving and teamwork skills of elementary school students in Ras Al Khaimah and increase their interest in science.
Umm Al Quwain: ”Go Health” initiative aims to develop health awareness of 2nd cycle school students in Umm Al Quwain by promoting healthy nutrition and physical activities.
Fujairah: “Bright Start” initiative will include the development of programs that will equip the delinquents in the centre with new skills, and renovate some areas of the centre to be used for these programs.
Abu Dhabi: “Home of Hope” initiative which aims to connect and engage with children at the cancer centre in Twam Hospital in Al Ain and enhance the environment of the cancer ward.
Commenting, Ibrahim Al Mannaee, Al Bayt Mitwahid Association’s Secretary of the Board said: “We would like to thank every single person, sponsor, business and organisation involved in this campaign for their outstanding support and contributions that have been vital to making its success a reality. The level of commitment put up by the volunteers and sponsors is truly remarkable and demonstrates that by combining efforts and commitments, we could progress faster on sustainable community development goals.”
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