Hearts of service: 1,500 children volunteers join hands for Ramadan iftar drive in Sajja Labour Park
During the holy month of Ramadan 2025, the spirit of giving came alive in a remarkable initiative led by Let's Walk Again with Dr Knee - a social impact and health movement founded by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr Azam Badar Khan who is firmly known as Dr Knee. With the official approval and support of Emirates Red Crescent, the initiative brought together over 1,500 children volunteers to distribute 3,000 iftar meal packs to laborers and workers at Sajja Labour Park, Sharjah, across all Fridays of the holy month.
At the heart of this movement were the young heroes - students lovingly referred to as Children - who dedicated their time, energy, and compassion to serving those in need. Most of these student volunteers came from different schools all over the UAE, whose leadership and staff played a key role in coordinating the effort with passion and efficiency, also the parents.
From 4pm to 6:30pm every Friday, the labor park transformed into a site of joyful service. Laughter and excitement blended with purpose as children lined up with meals in hand, ready to serve fasting workers - many of whom spend long days in the sun with minimal access to proper meals. For the students, it was more than just volunteering. It was a chance to connect, to understand gratitude, and to feel the joy of giving firsthand.
Dr Azam Badar Khan – Dr Knee, deeply moved by the young participants, shared, "Watching 1,500 students come together to serve others with such grace and empathy was one of the most powerful moments of this year's Ramadan. This initiative wasn't just about food - it was about building the next generation of changemakers."
Each participating child received a Certificate of Appreciation, acknowledging their valuable contribution. This gesture not only recognised the children's service but also helped instill a sense of pride and social responsibility in their families.
The initiative stands as a glowing example of what is possible when humanitarian vision meets community spirit. Under the umbrella of Let's Walk Again with Dr Knee, the event not only provided nourishment to the body but also fed the soul of an entire community - bringing people of different backgrounds together for a shared purpose.
Beyond food drives, Let's Walk Again with Dr Knee continues its mission across the UAE, India, and Africa and many countries all over the world through medical outreach, orthopedic care, knee health awareness, and rehabilitation programmes for underserved communities. The vision remains clear: to create a healthier, kinder world - one step at a time.
As the sun set over Sajja each Friday, and thousands of workers opened their fasts with meals handed to them by smiling children, one could feel that something greater than charity was at play. It was the pure power of human connection.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Emirates Woman
05-06-2025
- Emirates Woman
Fasting for Ramadan: 5 key tips to nourish your body and soul
Fasting during Arafat Day is a significant spiritual practice for Muslims around the world. It involves abstaining from food and drinks from dawn until sunset, on the day before Eid Al Adha. While fasting, individuals focus on prayer, reflection, and self-discipline. Here are five tips to help make fasting on Arafat Day a spiritually fulfilling and physically manageable experience. Hydration is Key Begin your fast with a balanced suhoor meal that includes plenty of fluids and hydrating foods such as fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water during non-fasting hours to prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks, as they can cause thirst. Eat Nutritious Foods Opt for wholesome, nutrient-rich meals during iftar (breaking the fast) to replenish your body's energy levels. Include complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats to sustain you throughout the fasting period. Avoid overeating or indulging in heavy, greasy foods, which can lead to discomfort and sluggishness. Moderate Physical Activity While intense exercise may be challenging during fasting hours, light physical activity such as walking or gentle stretching can help maintain energy levels and promote overall well-being. Listen to your body and avoid strenuous activities, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Prioritize Rest and Sleep Ensure you get adequate rest and sleep during Ramadan to support your body's fasting process. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night and consider taking short naps during the day if needed. Establish a bedtime routine to promote relaxation and quality sleep. Focus on Spiritual Growth Use the opportunity of Ramadan to deepen your connection with your faith. Allocate time each day for spiritual reflection and self-improvement. Engage in community iftars and taraweeh prayers to foster a sense of unity and solidarity with fellow Muslims. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Pexel & Unsplash, Feature Image: Instagram @futurebedouin
Sharjah 24
12-05-2025
- Sharjah 24
Nursing, volunteering foundational elements of community service
Fatima Musa Al Belushi, who is the Executive Director of the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work, emphasized that being a nurse is much more than just a job; it's a valuable calling that embodies care and dedication. She praised nurses for their vital contributions through volunteering, which helps improve our quality of life and promotes better health in communities. Al Belushi pointed out that nurses often lead the way in social and humanitarian efforts. They use their skills and dedication to provide care to those in need, whether in everyday situations or during emergencies like natural disasters or health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. She also highlighted the presence of specialized volunteer groups in the UAE, like the "Sand" team from the Emirates Foundation and the "Response" team from the Emirates Red Crescent, which demonstrate the country's commitment to providing humanitarian aid both locally and around the world. Along with this, she mentioned the Sheikha Fatima Global Humanitarian Campaign and efforts from the Big Heart Foundation. Al Belushi stressed that supporting and developing the nursing profession and encouraging nurses to participate in volunteer activities are crucial for building a strong and reliable healthcare system. celebrating International Nurses Day is a way of showing deep appreciation for the nurses, who are essential to our healthcare system and society as a whole.
Middle East Eye
06-05-2025
- Middle East Eye
‘Death of a generation': Gaza infants battle starvation under deepening Israeli siege
Suwar Ashour weighed just 2.4kg at birth five months ago. Since then, she has gained less than half a kilogram. "She used to vomit heavily from both breast milk and formula," said her mother, Najwa Aram, as she leaned over the crib where the tiny infant lay. Aram told Middle East Eye she had stayed in the hospital with her baby for 10 days. Aram herself is malnourished and has struggled to breastfeed. "Suwar was born during the hardship of war," she said. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "While I was pregnant, there was no nutrition - no meat, no eggs, no dairy. There was nothing." Food shortages have been widespread in Gaza due to an Israeli siege since the war began in October 2023. The blockade has brought widespread malnutrition in its wake. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when some aid entered Gaza as part of the January ceasefire, the family managed to obtain a formula that Suwar could tolerate. 'While I was pregnant, there was no nutrition - no meat, no eggs, no dairy. There was nothing' - Najwa Aram, new mother For the first time, she began to gain weight, eventually reaching 4kg. But as the Muslim world prepared to celebrate Eid al-Fitr - the festival marking the end of the fasting month - Israel resumed the bombing and imposed a total blockade. Suwar's condition began to deteriorate again. The newborn showed signs of dehydration. Her mother rushed her to hospital, where they have remained since 8 April. Though her condition initially improved, by the third day she had developed intestinal flu, further exacerbated by the lack of formula, pushing her deeper into malnutrition. "Our financial situation is dire," said the anxious mother. Her husband was blinded by Israeli forces during the 2018 Great March of Return protests, and their home was destroyed in an Israeli air strike, leaving them displaced. Najwa Aram leans over the crib where her five month-old Suwar Ashour, who weighs less than three kilograms, is laying down as she is fed formula (MEE/Ahmed Aziz) Aram, like many Palestinians in Gaza, has been displaced multiple times during the devastating war. She now lives in a tent. Her only wish is for her child's survival and recovery. "God willing, they open the crossings and provide the formula she needs... I hope she gets better, returns to how she was and even stronger," she said. Ahmed al-Fara, director of the paediatric department at Nasser Hospital, where Suwar is receiving treatment, told MEE that nothing has entered the besieged enclave in the past two months. 'We're talking about 2.3 million people trapped in what has become a giant prison. Gaza is completely cut off from land, sea, and air,' he said. According to al-Fara, Gaza has been stripped of all viable food sources. Bakeries have shut down, prices in the private markets have soared due to dwindling supplies, and aid warehouses run by international organisations are now empty. Catastrophic food insecurity According to Fara, Gaza's population is now facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, classified as Phase Five on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which ranges from one (minimal) to five (catastrophe/famine). 'If the crossings remain closed and there is no international pressure on Israel to lift the siege, we are looking at the mass death of most children, women, and the elderly in Gaza - alongside much of the wider population,' he warned. The IPC is widely used by NGOs, charities, and aid agencies to assess food security and nutritional crises. Gaza, he noted, is now firmly in the worst category. 'We are witnessing the systematic targeting of an entire generation of children' - Ahmed al-Fara, Palestinian pediatrician Women and children are among the most vulnerable, he added. Pregnant women lack access to regular medical care and suffer from severe nutritional deficiencies due to the lack of food and essential vitamins. 'A pregnant woman has no access to proper nutrition, no safety, and lives in constant fear,' he explained. 'As a result, many give birth prematurely, or deliver underweight babies.' In both scenarios, these children face long-term consequences ranging from low birth weight and susceptibility to infection, to weakened immune systems. During early development, a child's nervous system is especially sensitive to malnutrition. Under such conditions, Fara warns, children may suffer from poor concentration, communication difficulties, and may even develop learning disabilities. 'We are witnessing the systematic targeting of an entire generation of children,' he concludes. Speaking about Ashour, Dr Fara said she is one of many children suffering from malnutrition and remains in a critical condition. He added that the number of such cases is rising rapidly. Each day, the hospital is overwhelmed with new emergency admissions linked to malnutrition. 'We are now witnessing an unprecedented number of malnutrition cases, figures we could never have imagined before,' he said. According to Munir al-Barsh, director-general of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 91 percent of the population is now facing a food crisis amid the ongoing Israeli assault. 'Gaza is living through a horrific humanitarian catastrophe - one defined by hunger, poverty, and disease - driven by genocide and a suffocating Israeli siege, which includes the closure of crossings and the systematic denial of humanitarian aid,' Barsh said. He noted that 92 percent of children and breastfeeding mothers are experiencing severe malnutrition, 'posing a direct threat to their lives and development'. Since Israel broke the ceasefire six weeks ago, its military has killed more than 2,326 Palestinians, bringing the total number of deaths to at least 52,000 since October 2023, including over 15,000 children.
