Dubai: What started out as a simple hobby selling books has now become a full-time effort for Shirley Finnegan — reach out to the underprivileged in Dubai by donating care packages to construction workers.
Finnegan sells used books within her neighbourhood and community, with the proceeds going towards the purchase of food and toiletries.
She then drives around Dubai and when she sees a group of construction workers, she hands out a colourful care package to each one of them. In return she receive smiles and expressions of gratitude.
The initial idea occurred to the Dubai-based expatriate several years ago.
"I know the construction workers are on a low salary so the idea started around May 2009 to help them by buying toiletries and the first few packs were made up from items my husband, myself and a few friends had bought," she said.
"Then in April 2010 I started selling used books that friends, their friends and some lovely people in Dubai had given to me and the money raised from selling the books helped me buy more items for the packs."
The gesture is intended to aid the lifestyle of workers in the construction, and other industries, and it is geared towards religious festivities such as Eid, Christmas and Diwali.
The gifts come as a surprise to them. Items in a typical care package include toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, small pack of washing powder, socks, razors, shaving cream, towel, blankets, sheets, milk, sweets and biscuits.
Finnegan's efforts have snowballed as she received further help from friends through the purchase of old books. With support, Finnegan was able to make 63 care packs for Christmas 2009 which doubled to 125 packs for Ramadan/Eid 2010. This then increased to nearly 150 packs for Christmas 2010. Packs for Ramadan and Eid 2011 are currently under way, she said.
View the original article here
No comments:
Post a Comment