(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) For many, receiving a life-changing opportunity is a matter of chance. But for three expats, - Abeer Khafaga, Leen Zidan and Noha Elhabashi - who each had their most cherished dreams fulfilled by registering for an initiative at a mall in Dubai, it is nothing short of a divine intervention.
Aligning with the message of giving, Al Ghurair Centre had launched a novel social initiative called 'Omniyati' - which is Arabic for 'make a wish'- during the holy month of Ramadan. The result of the initiative was announced recently.
For her daughter
Abeer Khafaga couldn't hold back her tears when her moving plea for financial aid to support her 11-year-old daughter's education was sanctioned. The struggling mother, who has no stable job even when she is an accounting and management graduate, is working hard to make ends meet as she is the only bread-winner for the family. Her husband has been bed-bound with partial paralysis after suffering a heart attack about two years ago. To sustain her family's day-to-day expenses, the mother of two has been taking up temporary jobs on a regular basis.
"Due to financial constraints, my husband and I had to pull our daughter out of school and she missed an entire academic year. We were very afraid that we would have to put a complete stop to her education once and for all," said the Sudanese mother.
Abeer and her daughter Hajar came to the mall to get regular stuff for home, when Hajar heard the announcement about the initiative. Abeer dismissed it casually and they went back home after shopping. It was only after three or four days that Hajar remembered about the announcement and registered for the programme online.
"Having lived in Dubai for 12 years, I have never won anything before, and now I believe this financial provision is truly a gift from God." Through the Omniyati initiative, Abeer will receive monetary support which will help continue her daughter's primary education.
Abeer believes that it was their true faith in Allah that got them this much-needed help.
"Both my kids, Hajar and younger son Abdurrehman, kept all their Ramadan fasts and never missed a prayer. May be that is why God has rewarded them," she added.
"This campaign has helped my family in more ways than one can imagine - it truly was a blessing," concluded the overwhelmed 40-year-old.
Empathy
Whenever Syrian expatriate Leen Zidan would go to any mall, she would wish to buy some gifts and clothes for her parents and sister who are facing a tough time back home in Syria.
"My husband and I have been struggling to make ends meet for the last few months, and we have been unable to support my family back home," explained the tearful 25-year-old, who also registered for the initiative by chancing upon it online.
"I thought will I ever be lucky or never? If only Allah wills, then I may just win. I just filled it online and forgot about it until recently when I got a call from them. I began to cry when I learnt that I was one of the three chosen recipients of the initiative," she told Khaleej Times.
"This financial aid couldn't have come at a better time for me. I will finally be able to bring a smile back on my family's faces, who have been enduring very tough social and economic conditions. My mother and sister are among the most important people in my life and this initiative has come as a true blessing for us all."
The excited homemaker will be given gift cards and would be taken on a shopping spree to get clothes and gifts for her family.
Prayers answered
Euphoric Egyptian expatriate Noha Elhabashi couldn't contain her joy when she was informed that her wish to travel with her mother to perform Umrah has been chosen. "I have always prayed for a chance to visit the holy city of Makkah with my mother. However, due to financial constraints I have never had the chance to do so. And now, I can't believe that I have won such a beautiful gift, especially after the holy month of Ramadan."
"As a Muslim, this is the best gift my mother and I could ever ask for. I am truly lucky that I live in such a benevolent city and moreover I am forever grateful to the Omniyati initiative for supporting my wish," said the 24-year-old.
Sultan Al Ghurair, CEO of Al Ghurair Properties, said: "One of the most simplistic things we can give one another is joy, and through our 'Omniyati' initiative, we are eager to bring real joy to three people's lives by making their wishes come true. This campaign combined the two visions of our nation which revolves around creating happiness and giving."
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