NGO’s mite to blue-collar workers for their children’s education

In a ceremony held at a labour camp in Al Qouz area in Dubai,  Smartlife — a non-government organisation — awarded the newly launched scholarship to six blue-collar labourers for their children and to complete their education back home.

 

Khalifa Bin Hasim, a representative of Community Development Authority, Dubai, was the chief guest and handed over the cheques to the selected parents. 

 

The non-profit organisation was formed by a group of young people in Dubai in 2011 with the aim of providing quality education to the blue-collar workers in Dubai. “The organisation was operational in 2012 after it was registered with CDA in 2011 and started a number of initiatives to impart education to the workers, especially English classes, to improve their communication skills and earn a better living for their families,” said Arun Krishan, president of Smartlife while talking to The Gulf Today prior to the ceremony on Friday.

 

The volunteer of Smartlife had identified the root cause of blue-collar workers not getting better jobs. Smartlife identified that it was the lack of education. “There were many reasons why these people who did not get education ultimately become blue-collar workers. We at Smartlife plan to overcome this issue and start various programmes such as life tuition classes in the English language and also other workshops to improve the overall conditions of these workers,” he added.

 

The NGO was started by a group enthusiasts but now has over 40 members with the aim of educating the blue-collar workers.

 

In the last one year, the organisation had held a cricket tournament and skill development workshop for blue-collar workers and is planning to organise more activities to benefit more workers. 

 

Krishan pointed that they have also getting support from prominent philanthropists from the Indian community and soon fundraising activities will be held at different malls and exhibition sites. “This NGO is working for all workers with any discrimination of country or religion as the segment of blue-collar workers comprises all nationalities from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh,” he pointed.

 

Saleem told The Gulf Today that he has been working in Dubai for a long time and he was very delighted to get the scholarship from Smartlife for his daughter Ayesha, studying in Grade 2 back in India. “Our aim is give quality education to Ayesha so that she becomes a doctor one day,” he said.

 

He appreciated the organisation’s efforts to extend support for them who are struggling to maintain a better life for their families back home.

 

To start the Smartlife Sapna Scholarship, the organisation recently organised a fundraising walk in Jumeirah where passersby were asked to donate Dhs10 for this cause. As it is in its initial years, the organisation has collected enough money to support six students whose parents are working in Dubai and earning less than Dhs2,500 per month.   

 

Vicky Kriplani, member of the fundraising committee of Smartlife, said that they asked deserving labourers to register for this scholarship and soon they got a huge number of applications. 

 

“We did receive a large number of applications from blue-collar workers who were earning less than Dhs2,500 and their residence status is legal. Our committee scrutinised the applications and identified six parents whose children will get full tuition fees for one year from this scholarship,” he added.

 

He pointed that they are planning to increase the beneficiaries next year as the event aims to raise more funds soon on a regular basis.

 

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