Distributing happiness in small packages

Fifty-nine student volunteers participated in the American University of Sharjah (AUS) Community Service division's Food for the Needy campaign held recently in Ajman. The students spent their evening distributing basic food items like rice, oil, sugar, tea and milk to over 394 families through Al Ihsan Charity Association, Ajman.

The volunteers began by segregating and categorizing the different food items and then packing them into one parcel for each family. Once the preparation was done, the volunteers met and interacted with the families and distributed the food parcels to them.

The campaign was held in collaboration with Al Ihsan Charity Association with the support of Al Ghaith Initiative and donations from the AUS community. Following the distribution of food parcels, the volunteers were taken for a tour of the medical and charity sectors of the Al Ihsan complex which was a very educational experience for the volunteers.

Student volunteer Salma Abdelfattah said, "This is a wonderful eye-opening experience as it creates an awareness on how many people depend on contributions that are given to them and are in constant need of help."

According to Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Dean of Students, "Through this campaign, we want our students to understand the plight of the underprivileged and learn to appreciate the very basic necessities in life. These volunteering experiences provide our students with the opportunity for self-reflection and the guidance they need in leading positive and productive lives."