Emirates Foundation’s Takatof volunteering programme in partnership with the National Media Council has provided Emirati youth the opportunity to work on and represent the UAE at the UAE pavilion at the Expo 2019 for horticulture in Beijing.

Till October, UAE volunteers will travel in groups and spend four weeks in support of the UAE pavilion at the 2019 Expo in Beijing.

Amongst the first to travel were Seif Al Hashmi (25), Amer Al Badi, (20) and Hazza Al Blooshi (24) who all expressed their gratitude for having the opportunity to represent and serve the UAE and the immense learning opportunity they have been exposed to during their stay.

Maytha Al Habsi, Chief Executive Officer at Emirates Foundation, expressed her gratitude to the National Media Council for providing the ‘Takatof’ volunteers this exciting opportunity at such an important event as the Beijing Horticulture Expo.

“I am very delighted to see the high interest and determination of our youth to participate in international volunteering opportunities and represent the nation – their dedication and commitment knows no boundaries and it is through these international initiatives that we are able to cement the values of giving and promote the spirit of volunteerism across the nation,” Al Habsi concluded.

Visitors to the UAE Pavilion showed a keen interest in the UAE’s culture, heritage, and the successes the UAE has demonstrated in its continued endeavour in sustainable development and the nation’s horticulture, with volunteers providing thorough explanations to the avid visitors’ enquiries.

Under the heading ‘Greening the Desert’, the UAE Pavilion embraces the Expo 2019 theme of ‘Live Green, Live Better’ in all its exciting and challenging facets through the use of the young volunteers’ knowledge and experience in the region, particularly in the alternative energy sector.   

Since 2007, the Takatof programme has organised volunteerism campaigns in an effort to instil a sense of civic engagement and responsibility amongst youth and provide its volunteers the opportunity to support community needs while developing their personal and leadership skills in the process.

Inspired by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed 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.

Recently, Emirates Foundation, the national organisation set up by the Abu Dhabi Government to facilitate public-private funded initiatives for the empowerment of youth across the UAE, announced the successful conclusion of its 2019 Ramadan campaign.

As part of the campaign, over 5,000 Emirates Foundation Takatof volunteers dedicated 25,000 volunteering hours to renovate over 25 social and cultural youth centres and clubs of different communities across the UAE.

Takatof Volunteers also joined hands with First Abu Dhabi Bank volunteers to deliver 5,000 boxes of clothing and food items to workers and needy families throughout the “Al Khair Fund” initiative. Another 75 Takatof volunteers also participated in Zayed House for Islamic Culture “Iftar of Tolerance” programme, an evening of cultural exchanges and learning with 125 new Muslims.

Maytha Al Habsi expressed her sincere gratitude to the foundation’s partners including First Abu Dhabi Bank, Bin Hamoodah, Al Fahim Group, Serve Facility Management, ADNOC, and Total for their unweaving support and commitment to making the Ramadan campaign a success.

“We were very pleased with the overwhelming participation and dedication of our youth, exceeding our targets both in numbers of volunteers and volunteering hours. They embraced their service mission and truly painted happiness in the hearts of communities across the UAE with an open heart and the highest levels of commitment towards promoting the values, beliefs, the nation’s spirit of tolerance and culture of volunteerism across the UAE,” she concluded.

The annual Ramadan Campaign is a Takatof initiative aiming to empower Emirati youth to engage in volunteering opportunities that promote tolerance and appreciation for diversity across the nation.