DUBAI: As part of Swiss International School Dubai’s (SISD) Fruitful Community Initiative, this Ramadan, SISD students and parents served 2,500 warm Iftar meals and 10,000 fruits to the community of construction workers, gardeners and delivery drivers at their labour camp homes in Al Quoz.
A school parent, Julia Fernandez, set up the ‘Fruitful Community Initiative’ volunteer programme, in collaboration with Engineering Contracting Company and the relevant governmental authorities. As part of the leading IB boarding school’s focus on altruism, and mission to develop globally-minded citizens, pupils are actively encouraged to undertake volunteer and charity work.
The aim of the initiative is to empower students to learn about, and actively engage with, their surrounding community through volunteering, community engagement and acts of kindness.
Student volunteers took the lead in handing out biryani meals, fruits and water, asking the workers whether they wanted chicken or vegetarian meals, handing out fruit bags and water, and wishing everyone Ramadan Kareem.
The Grade 1 to 5 pupils (six to 11 year olds) worked long hours in a lively environment filled with thousands of people.
Ruth Burke, school principal, says: “This initiative truly typifies the positive community spirit and values that we uphold at SISD. As a school, we play a crucial role in shaping not just academic success, but also fostering empathy, compassion, and a sense of responsibility towards others and the world at large. Creating a sense of pride and belonging – and knowing we’re contributing to the development of globally-minded individuals who prioritise giving back and making a positive impact – is truly invaluable in creating a brighter future for all.”
The school staff and pupils were heavily supported by the government to help maintain the queues for the iftar meal, and Kibsons, the UAE-based online grocery pioneer, sponsored all the fruit, helping keep it flowing from the truck and help hand it out.
The water provided with each iftar meal was sponsored by the initiative’s caterer, 77Catering, and the Fruitful Community Initiative is grateful for the discounted meal prices graciously provided by 77Catering.
