Ahead of Universal Children’s Day on 20th November, Abu Dhabi Week took time out to meet some of the capital’s most inspiring young people
Hoping for change
Animal activist Lachlan Hughes spends his free time caring for the capital’s abandoned animals.
This twelve-year-old Australian boy set up his own Facebook page ‘Hope for a Home,’ as a means of raising awareness about animal neglect and rehoming stray cats and dogs.
“My Facebook page is a place where people can come to learn about animals in Abu Dhabi that need our help,” said Lachlan. “You can find details of animals that are hoping for a home and can be adopted or fostered, and how to donate money to animal rescue organisations.”
Lachlan appeals for people to consider adopting an animal instead of buying one from a pet shop and to leave water or food out for the abandoned cats in the community.
“My dream is for all homeless animals to get the chance to know what it feels like to be loved and find their ‘forever’ homes.
“I would love for there to be less war and violence in the world, until we can all learn to be kind to each other the animals in the world don’t stand a chance,” Lachlan said.
For more information visit: www.facebook.com/hope4ahome2013
The Emirati ecowarrior
15-year-old Emirati Abdullah Saoud Al Amarie is passionate about protecting the environment.
This activist helped found the Environment Club at his school – Al Ruwad Model School – and was elected vice-president by his fellow students.
Abdullah played in an important role in the Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI), which was introduced by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi to help schools make a positive environmental impact in the community.
He raised awareness about the need to reduce, reuse and recycle by putting signs up around the school. He helped to set up a recycling system and asked teachers to use less paper by making changes such as photocopying on both sides of a page.
“Through the SSI scheme we tried to change how people in our school area think about the environment,” said Abdulla.
“We reduced the amount of water used and cut down on pollution. We counted the number of people who came to school by car or bus, and then made suggestions to them, such as asking people to share a car and come together.”
“What sparked my interest in the first place was the UAE’s Sheikhs’ support for the environment. My ambition is to serve my country as much as I can. Everything that helps my country and puts the UAE in the top ranks, I will work hard to support it,” Abdullah added.
Hitting all the right notes
Teenage trio Juana Wais, Disha Kouli and Khulood Fahim organised a Battle of the Bands competition to raise funds for Operation Smile UAE earlier this year.
The girls thought up the idea and organised the music event themselves. Over 200 people attended the competition and AED 8,137 was raised for Operation Smile – enough money for nine children to have corrective surgery to repair cleft lip.
Indian teenager Disha has volunteered with Operation Smile for a year and hopes to attend an overseas mission with the charity. “Operation Smile has truly touched my heart and made me realise that I can help change the lives of many children if I dedicate myself to the cause,” Disha said.
Sixteen-year-old Khulood said: “I think it is a very noble cause and I am eager to contribute to it is as much as I can for as long as I can. If I could change one thing about the world, it would be how engaged people are in various issues the world is facing. Many are unaware of other peoples’ suffering and this leaves problems unresolved.”
More marvels
Dana Nafez Abara from Syria is so passionate about Bu Tinah island off the western coastline of Abu Dhabi and the wildlife associated with it, that she mans the Bu Tinah stand at a number of events and exhibitions in order to spread the word.
Three-year-old Samia Mohammed learned about the importance of sharing from watching Barney and Friends and listening to her parents. She gave away her teddy bears to Syrian refugee children via Cause Connect Abu Dhabi. “It’s not so tough to share your stuff,” Samia said.
South African teenager Cameron Oliver is committed to raising awareness about the need to stop littering in order to save camels lives. When Oliver read a newspaper article about camels needlessly dying in the UAE, he was spurred into action. “Our camels eat litter thinking it’s food and the rubbish calcifies in their stomachs, ending in a slow painful death. Everyone can make a difference by not littering,” Oliver said.
