DUBAI – A young Emirati woman was very excited after hearing about the initiatives and opportunities available to be one of the first lines of defense during the COVID-19 pandemic. She could not stay at home without doing anything to face this pandemic because of humanity, homeland, and family.
Maryam Al Ameri, 23, graduated from Zayed University in Dubai in 2021. She is a member of the Dubai Police Colleges and Universities Council, an active volunteer in the UAE Marshals Team, and an administrator at Lammah Events Foundation. She joined the National Screening Centers in Dubai in January 2020. Her hard work and passion for volunteering allowed her to be promoted to a managerial position not only for one center but also for the eight centers in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. She has dealt with the needs of patients and visitors, worked on preparing daily attendance schedules, and supported the centers.
“It was a bit difficult for me as I had to balance my university studies with volunteering, but I did my best to divide the time correctly,” Al Ameri says. “I cannot express my feelings about how happy I am with this great opportunity to work for my country which has given me so much and every minute I spend in the National Screening Centers and every work I do, does not fulfill my duty to my country, and if I had the opportunity again, I would do it again and again.”
Apart from joining the National Screening Centers, Al Ameri also took part in the Ride with Dubai Police Bikers Unit initiative in May 2020. As a part of this initiative, she volunteered in Jumeirah, from 9 p.m. till midnight, patrolled the streets in Dubai wearing a Dubai Police jacket to educate people about the importance of social distancing and distributing protective equipment such as masks to those who don’t wear them in public places.
Volunteer opportunities in various fields are available through the online Emirates Volunteers platform. The platform offers both virtual and field opportunities, and people can create an account to register to volunteer. The platform rewards the volunteers by counting their volunteering hours and sending them a certificate.
She always keeps on her mind a quote that says, “do something that your future self will thank you for.”
Behind the scenes, many soldiers worked for our comfort and happiness during the pandemic. Leadership has made Emirati society a top priority, as always. Doctors, nurses, and medical personnel have battled this global pandemic. The teachers contributed to the continuation of education under unforeseen circumstances. The armed forces and emergency services have endeavored to keep us safe wherever we are, as well as our volunteers who work silently and will go without hesitation to be there for all of us in difficult times. Nothing is impossible, and together, hand in hand, we beat this epidemic!
About the author
Mahra Almarzooqi is a Zayed University alumna who studied Integrated Strategic Communication in Dubai. While at ZU, she was a recipient of the Dean’s List, an honor for students with high GPAs.
This story was edited by Yulia Medvedeva, an assistant professor in the College of Communication and Media Sciences at Zayed University in Dubai.
