The Foundation Provides Expertise for Volunteering in the United Arab Emirates

By David Styers

David Styers, senior director, Volunteer Center Development, Points of Light Foundation, assists with the Takatof initiative.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has contracted with the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network to create the UAE’s first nationwide volunteer initiative, called Takatof. This effort has been arranged by the Emirates Foundation, a partnership of the public and private sectors committed to improving the quality of life in the UAE. The Emirates Foundation works to stimulate intellectual and social growth through community activities and to foster participation in community life. The four core areas for its work are: education; research and development; arts and culture; and social and environmental development.

As part of its efforts, the Emirates Foundation has established Takatof to introduce volunteering especially to young UAE nationals. Translated “shoulder to shoulder,” Takatof has as its vision the creation of a volunteering culture in support of the community throughout the UAE, a nation that has only been in existence since 1971. Takatof’s mission is to mobilize people and resources in the UAE to take practical, socially responsible actions that meet proven community needs. As a particular focus, Takatof will guide young people in developing awareness of social responsibility by matching their skills and interests with the right volunteering opportunities.

“When I think of Takatof,” said Khuloud Al Nuwais, projects director of the Emirates Foundation, “I don’t limit myself to seeing thousands of young volunteers active. Takatof to me emits an image of a UAE where volunteering is a way of life, youth are more socially responsible, and thus other nations look to us as a role model for not only economic but also social development.”

“At the core of Takatof is the tremendous spirit of UAE youth volunteering,” said Abdullah Al Shamry, the first Takatof volunteer. “It is something you will not believe until you see it first hand by volunteering yourself.”

During an initial trip from mid-February 2007 to mid-March, the staffs of the Points of Light Foundation and Takatof worked to develop the initial scope of activities for launching the initiative this spring. Their joint efforts will continue through the summer. The initial plans include:

• Developing a Web-based searchable database for volunteers to register their interest and agencies to register volunteer opportunities
• Creating a telephone call center for people without Internet access
• Establishing baseline research on the current and historical context of volunteering
• Planning for group volunteer projects
• Exploring the integration of service-learning into the school curricula

Throughout the planning and implementation, being sensitive to cultural norms has been key. Being an Arabic, Islamic country with a majority expatriate population, the UAE has specific traditions and requirements that can influence the volunteering experience. For example, all information must be in Arabic and English. Also, some volunteer opportunities may only be for women, and some women volunteers may only want to volunteer with other women. T-shirts would not be appropriate for volunteers to wear, so armbands with the Takatof logo have been developed instead.

Takatof currently has two main activities: 1) placing volunteers with organizations in need, and 2) creating small projects where volunteers can make a difference.

Takatof’s Web site www.takatof.ae has a detailed database management system, which actively registers, collects data and runs reports on all volunteers interested in serving their community. Takatof also has a call center for those who need more answers and/or do not feel as comfortable registering online. At the same time, Takatof has been contacting organizations and events to locate the best opportunities in the UAE for volunteers who register.

In addition to matching volunteers with organizations in need of assistance, Takatof will soon have a variety of programs aimed at integrating volunteering in the UAE, including a hospital volunteer program, service-learning school curriculum and international volunteer placement programs.

Takatof is also creating opportunities that will impact volunteers and address serious social problems. For example, Takatof plans to develop a school renovation project that will help offer painting services and donate supplies.

“There is a tremendous difference between volunteering and having a culture of volunteering,” explained Omar Ghobash, Deputy CEO of the Emirates Foundation. “An accomplished businessman can volunteer to train a young apprentice. In the end, the businessman feels a sense of wellbeing, and the apprentice will be slightly better off than before. However, if an entire generation of business leaders donates their time to train thousands of young Emiratis, the entire future generation will be more competent in the global business world. This is only one of thousands of areas where volunteering could help better shape the future of the UAE.”