Emirates Foundation Reaches Out to Young Offenders across UAE During Ramadan

• Takatof volunteers engaged young offenders in social and sporting activities
• Held in collaboration with the Juveniles Care Centre in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 7 July, 2015: Emirates Foundation’s volunteering programme, Takatof, has helped rehabilitate former young offenders back into society through a range of social and sporting activities, as part of its Takatof Ramadan Project.

Held in collaboration with the Juveniles Care Centre in Abu Dhabi, the volunteers engaged with groups of young people all across the UAE by involving them in renovation projects, organising football matches and inviting them to attend special Iftar and Suhoor events.

The Takatof Ramadan Project is one of the key initiatives of the Takatof Social Volunteering Programme and comprises eight different activities designed to help people across all six Emirates of the UAE while promoting the culture of volunteerism. Since its inception, the project has helped more than 1000 families across the UAE.

Maytha Al Habsi, Chief Programmes Officer at Emirates Foundation, said: “At Emirates Foundation, we recognise that everyone in society deserves a second chance. Without proper care and assistance, young offenders cannot develop into productive and responsible adults and even the smallest gestures go a long way towards helping them on the road to rehabilitation.

“Ramadan is a time when we celebrate our common humanity through reflection, sharing, caring and giving and we want to reach as many people as possible through our activities. The Takatof Ramadan project is just one of the ways in which Emirates Foundation is contributing to society as part of its mission towards developing and supporting youth initiatives that create real and sustainable impact.”

The Takatof Ramadan project, which is set to attract more than 800 volunteers, kicked off with visits to needy families in the UAE before Ramadan followed by the Ramadan Majilis, which took place during the first week of Ramadan. This key event provided the opportunity for members of the community to mentor volunteers and share their volunteering experience and knowledge.

Lt. Colonel Mubarak Awad Bin Muhairom, Director of Department of Community Police highlighted the significant role the Juvenile Care and Social rehabilitation centres are playing across the country as well as their contribution towards rehabilitating and re-integrating young people back into society.

He also praised the positive contribution of the centres’ partners and stakeholders from public and private sectors, and stressed the importance of collaborations in providing the necessary care services to this segment of society.
 
“Supporting young offenders is crucial to ensure the success of the re-integration process,” he said.
“Emirates Foundation’s support has had a very positive impact on the lives of young people at the centre. I would like to express my gratitude to the Takatof volunteers who made a difference to the lives of young offenders during the Holy month of Ramadan.”

Among the other activities, which form part of Emirates Foundation’s Takatof Ramadan project, are the distribution of essential items to labourers, preparing Iftar meals for labourers and people of limited income, renovating the houses of needy families, assisting those with special needs perform their Al Omra duties and providing the opportunity for volunteers to come up with a volunteering idea under the umbrella of the Ramadan project, which will be carried out across the region.

Inspired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Takatof fosters a culture of volunteering throughout the United Arab Emirates.

Launched in 2007, it offers the nation’s youth meaningful opportunities to volunteer for important social causes and encourages engagement in public service. Takatof members are ambassadors of the culture of volunteering and they represent the culture of social solidarity, support and giving and embody the noble values of the Emirate people.