Want to do your part to help those in need? Look no further. Every month we will feature one good cause from the city’s surprisingly large offering of heart-warming humanitarian options. Here’s just a handful we admire this month ...

Written by: Kara Martin

Disaster in Chile
Following the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Chile not long ago – which affected millions, killed over 800 people and destroyed some 500,000 homes – Abu Dhabi’s Chilean Embassy is on a mission to raise funds to provide supplies and food for their fellow countrymen in need with their ‘Relief for Chile Charity Campaign’.

How you can help: All the funds collected through the UAE will be deposited in an account opened up by the government of Chile in that country. Please send money to their special HSBC Bank account, number 011-223328-002, which will be accepting donations until 1st May.

Or, if you like yoga or have always wanted to try it, this is your chance to limber up and help the affected at the same time. Women in Abu Dhabi (WIAD) will host a fundraising yoga marathon on 11th and 14th April at two of the member’s homes – 3 sessions per day. All you’re asked for is a minimum contribution of AED 20. For more information or to book your session write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Contact: 02 447 2022 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Underprivileged in Ethiopia
As one of the poorest countries in the world, Ethiopia relies heavily on external support in order to be provided with basic services. That’s where Ethiopiaid comes in, a UK-based charity raising funds for the country’s sick and underprivileged. It has managed to raise over AED 15,000 in the UAE since the beginning of this year alone through a few well-attended events, but there are even bigger plans for 2010.

Maria Brown of Reed Recruitment started the UAE branch of the fundraiser in 2009 for the Reed Ethiopiaid Challenge which she took part in November 2009. “My first fundraising effort – an online auction – raised over AED 42,000. So far my  fundraising has done really well, so much so that I am now the MENA Goodwill Ambassador for Ethiopiaid,” says Maria.

“2010 has started well but I hope to this year raise AED 250,000. We’re lucky that the support and generosity of Expats and nationals in the UAE has been overwhelming.”

How you can help: Maria will head back to Addis Adaba on 27th April and is happy to have others come along and do their part, as well as to see what Ethiopiaid is all about. Otherwise, all donations can be made online by visiting www.justgiving.com/2010-FundRaising

Contact: Visit www.uae.ethiopiaid.com or write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Education in Kenya
What started off as a programme on a case-by-case basis is now a successful cause to provide used or new laptops to students in Kenya. Secondary and tertiary education in Kenya is far from affordable; hunger and poverty prevent 1.8 million children from attending school at all.

That’s why Volunteer in Abu Dhabi (VIAD) – which has over 600 care-giving members from a wide range of nationalities – has teamed up with Kenyan-based charity Tabasamu Education Fund (TED) to support underprivileged students in their ‘Computers for Tabasamu’ campaign. “We have since collected five laptops from the Abu Dhabi community and delivered three, two to Kenya and one to Ethiopia. Also, Macquarie has donated ten laptops from its corporate stock in Sydney,” says Ryan Rowe, VIAD founder. Abigael Mulima, a Computer Science student who received one of the first laptops had this to say: “The laptop has been of great help especially with my programming classes and computer organization practicals. Words cannot express my unbound gratitude to you for the laptop and your continued support. I installed a strong anti-virus programme and it works well now."

How you can help: Got a spare laptop collecting dust on your shelf? For you it’s just taking up space, but for VIAD and TED, it’s a godsend that could greatly improve the life of a student. They’re also happy to take flash drives, printers, scanners, and mice etc. VIAD is also looking for IT professionals willing to donate their time and skills to getting these laptops souped up and ready for action.

Contact: Get in touch with Ryan at 050 813 7328 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Schooling in El Salvador
Gulf of Hope (GoH) is a passionate effort founded by couple Esther and Omar Mendez (who you may have seen in last week’s issue with their heads shaved) to raise funds for underprivileged children in schools in Omar’s hometown, La Union in El Salvador. “Parents there might be able to get their kids into schools, but then are not able to afford basic things like pens and pencils. Twice a year we try to provide school supplies for them.

“Since we’ve started up, we have been able to place six little girls in private schools,” says Esther. They’ve done a lot of good for such a young charity yet to be officially registered. “Right now, we are collecting money for the registration process, which will cost up to $2000, and that’s why we shaved our heads.” They’re currently in El Salvador this month gathering more recruits and material “Once we are back, we will have a better idea of what will come next but we’re hoping to set up monthly doctor visits and a permanent English language teacher, among other things.”

How you can help: As GoH is currently unregistered, it accepts donations through a PayPal account via their blog at www.gulfofhope.blogspot.com. That’s full of regularly-updated information on GoH and its activities. There’s also talk of an exciting and inspiring El Salvadorian evening at the Mendez’s apartment, so watch this space. “We also invite supporters to visit El Salvador with us in future to see for yourself what we are all about.”

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it