(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The Spanish painter Pablo Picasso once said: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
International Charity Day serves as a reminder on the importance different people can add by giving back, even in small portions. Khaleej Times spoke to Mariam Al Hammadi, director of Salam Ya Seghar at The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), about the UAE charity scene in the UAE and how to make your contribution count. What does the word 'charity' mean? The word 'charity' should have a greater connotation than that of simply giving funds for a particular cause or initiative. It should be a concept that imbues every aspect of our lives and conduct as human beings living together in a global community. This is what we aspire to embody in our organisation's activities. We have noticed that altruism fosters a sense of personal achievement that is the equal to any found in other areas of life. This sense of connection between the hopes and ambitions of those who give and those who gratefully receive is an extremely rewarding aspect of what we do. How has the amount of contribution been to the organisation? In the past four years, TBHF has funded projects worth over Dh93 million through donations by individuals, government bodies and private sector organisations. The sums received reflect the incredible generosity of all elements of the UAE society and have resulted in our organisation being able to support an array of initiatives and projects to improve people's lives. These include children in Palestine, the underprivileged, the vulnerable, displaced families, children and families affected by war and children suffering from cancer, across the Mena and globally. How would you describe the charity scene in the UAE? The charity scene in the UAE is a vibrant and mature one, with around 180 Public Utility Associations (social welfare organisations) in operation; with many of the charitable organisations providing an array of services that meet a spectrum of needs. These include humanitarian initiatives such as support for refugees and integrating those with disabilities into the local community; bodies that promote leadership in our younger generation to ensure that they are equipped with the skills to advance the nation. The UAE's extensive charity landscape sees emirate-based organisations work to provide services in its communities and in societies across the globe. With the concept of giving being a central pillar of the Islamic faith, the UAE is able to do a significant degree of good work for those across the globe who through no fault of their own face daily struggles and challenges to survive. What is the advice to give to UAE residents when it comes to charity? When handing over money for a supposed good cause, it is important to know that it is going to be used effectively and for the purpose stated. Never hand over money to someone in the street claiming to be from a well-known charity just on their say so, even if they proffer identification. Do not fund raise without authority permission. New rules issued last year that can result in a jail sentence of up to one year in prison or a fine of up to Dh100,000 for unregistered collectors, especially those successfully dissuading many individuals. There is no need to give alms to a person collecting money for themselves because of a claim to be physically incapacitated in some way. Many of these claims are spurious, with fake medical conditions invented to attempt to play on people's good nature. Giving money in this manner encourages a culture of begging. About Big Heart Foundation Since its launch in June 2013 with the support of Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah; and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees' Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, the foundation has worked to improve the lives of refugees and to help the underprivileged around the world. Donations can be made through http://donate.unhcr.org, sms or bank transfers UAE and Refugees According to the European Developmental Assistants Committee (DAC), UAE ranked first globally as the largest donor of development aid. The UAE Ministry of Development and International Cooperation Annual Report showed that in 2013-2014, the country provided more than Dh20 billion, with Dh14 billion in the form of non-refundable grants, which was a 78 per cent increase of the volume of humanitarian spending for the previous year 2012, and 85 per cent than what was spent in 2011. The aids were sent to weak and failed countries such as Egypt, Afghanistan, Libya, Morocco, Yemen, Guinea, Somalia, and Indonesia. Dar Al Ber: Giving charity for 37 years Dubai Dar Al Ber Society (Dabs) has run a variety of charitable, relief and development projects in the UAE and across the globe, worth Dh1.23 billion since its inception in 1979. 24,843 mosques Thousands of new mosques have been built in the society's 37-year-old procession of giving. 74,568 water aid projects Dar Al Ber has run 74,568 water aid projects worth Dh15.2 million. 18,182 relief projects The society has carried out 18,182 relief projects at disaster-hit and war-torn areas worth Dh93 million. Dh366m for 104,984 orphans Dar Al Ber has contributed Dh366 million to 104,984 orphans locally and abroad in 37 years. Dar Al Ber has so far sponsored 2,696 local orphans and 102,288 others around the world. The society has taken care of 292 students and spent Dh8.1 million on them. The sponsorship programme has further covered 467 national and foreign families who availed Dh3.4 million. Dar Al Ber has also spent Dh88.4 million on cultural and Dawah programmes. The cultural schemes spanned Holy Quran printing; a pioneering project that cost up to Dh64 million. The society has also supported Quran study centres with Dh12.45 million, printed scientific books and references against Dh7 million and spent Dh4.6 million on preparing, printing and distributing diverse cultural brochures." 6,659,410 Quran copies Dar Al Ber has so far printed 6,659,410 copies of the Holy Quran 'Al Ber Version', he added. 24,000 new converts The Islamic Information Centre has helped 24,913,000 male and female residents convert to Islam. 10 charities you can contribute to in UAE 1- Emirates Red Crescent
2- Dubai Cares
3- Start
4- The Big Heart
5- Friends of Cancer Patients
6- Dubai Blood Donation Centre
7- The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children
8- Pink Caravan
9- Dubai Autism Centre
10- Al Noor Training Centre
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