UAE Brings In Ramadan With ‘Change a Future’ Initiative

The National Happiness and Positivity Programme has launched the ‘Change a Future’ initiative, part of the ‘Happiness is Giving’ campaign, to improve the lives of children across the UAE, in collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), Etisalat, du, as well as Abu Dhabi’s and Dubai’s Department of Economic Development.

The initiative was created following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to mark the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan with charity projects, in line with the nationwide Year of Giving campaign.

‘Happiness is Giving’ engages the private sector, particularly retail, encouraging organizations to donate to the ERC throughout the month of Ramadan. The ERC, in turn, will donate to causes that seek to improve the quality of life for children around the world.

Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness, noted that this initiative supports the UAE’s philanthropy and fosters partnerships between the public and private sectors to affect real change in people’s lives, which helps the UAE attain its objectives and multiply its initiatives during the Year of Giving, as directed by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The initiative stems for H.H. Sheikh Mohammed’s understanding of charity and giving, H.E. Al Roumi added, quoting H.H. when he said, “We hope every person in the UAE plays their part in the efforts marking the ‘Month of Giving’ in the ‘Nation of Giving’.”

The Minister of State for Happiness went on to explain that the ‘Happiness is Giving’ initiative is the umbrella campaign consolidating all initiatives organized by the National Happiness and Positivity Programme to mark the Year of Giving in collaboration with the public and private sectors. H.E. reaffirmed that this initiative will have positive effects on all segments of UAE society, which is renowned for its generosity, especially during Ramadan.

The ‘Happiness is Giving’ initiative takes place throughout Ramadan and continues until the end of the Year of Giving. It is open for individuals and institutions from both the public and private sectors in the UAE, and targets children. The initiative covers four main development-related topics that reflect the mission and vision of the ERC. These include health, education, food and People of Determination. A part of the ERC’s contributions will go to children with disabilities in the Jordanian-Emirati camp for Syrian refugees, supplying them with wheelchairs and hearing aids.

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