SHARJAH AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY WORK HONORS SHARJAH HUMANITARIAN CITY
On Monday, January 21, 2019, the General Director of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) Mrs. Mona Abdel Karim received the participation armor of Sharjah Forum for Voluntary Work, which Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work organized under the theme (Opportunities and Challenges) at Sharjah Police Science Academy. In addition, Ahmed Al-Hammadi, SCHS Public Relations Officer, received an acknowledgment certificate on behalf of SCHS from Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work for taking part in a number of initiatives such as (Our environment is our responsibility) and (We volunteer for Sharjah) competition.
The general director of SCHS contribution to the forum was a paperwork in which she confirmed the importance of endorsing the notion of volunteerism in every area of life including working with persons with disabilities. This promotes the principles of including, advocating, empowering, and educating persons with disabilities as well as raising people’s awareness of their issues in international forums.
Mrs. Mona introduced participants to one of SCHS main events, which is Al Amal Camp. SCHS has been organizing this event since 1986 under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
She also talked about the main objectives of the camp, which are hosting children with disabilities from Arab and foreign countries to have fun; show their real talents by getting involved in activities that strengthen the connections between them; and give them a chance to share experiences and knowledge.
Furthermore, Al Amal Camp aims to raise people’s awareness of disability issues, promote tourism in United Arab Emirates and Sharjah City, attract volunteers from both genders in order to plant the love of voluntarily work in their minds, and reflect a bright image of the country, which cares so much to persons with disabilities.
Mrs. Mona pointed out that the theme of Al Amal Camp 29 (Let’s Talk about Disability) represents an open invitation to society members in order to discuss, talk, and share knowledge and experiences about persons with disabilities, their issues, and rights in every area of life.
She has praised the active role of volunteers in this event since its early days. They have great contributions such as making persons with disabilities happy, treat them with respect, and help them spend time having fun and doing something useful.
She has confirmed that the number of volunteers in Al Amal Camp increases every year. The total number of volunteers since camp first year until now has reached 3124. They come from different segments in the society inside and outside UAE with different age range. Some of the volunteers have been working in this event for more than 25 years. As for the number of participants since the beginning of the camp, it has reached 2058.
Mrs. Mona has confirmed SCHS great care to plant the culture of volunteerism in the minds of society members. For example, SCHS has been organizing a number of events that depend on volunteering such as Used Book Fair, which started in 2006, and Summer Camp. SCHS also opens its doors for everyone who wants to volunteer to work in the activities organized for persons with disabilities.
She also mentioned a number of the advantages of Al Amal Camp such as its continuity from 1986 until now. People relates this event to Sharjah city. It has become one of the main activities, which children with disabilities and disability centers in gulf, Arabic, and international countries await with little patience. In addition, the event gives participants and volunteers good impressions. The number of volunteers from youngsters increases every year.
The General Director of SCHS has an insightful remark in the Forum in which she confirmed the importance of specialty in the field of volunteerism especially in emergency filed, working with persons with disabilities, and organizing conferences and informative lectures.