By Dina Suliman
ABU DHABI – Zayed University Student Life launched its “Stay Strong Nepal” fundraiser campaign on May 20 with the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan Al Nahyan and His Excellency Mr. Dhananjay Jham, Nepal’s ambassador to the UAE.
Both visited the Zayed Abu Dhabi Promenade to take part in the event. They greeted workers, faculty and students and toured the booths and exhibits on display.
“Our father, Sheikh Zayed, may he rest in peace, urged us to help our brothers and sisters who are in need, and our country’s humanitarian leadership made sure to follow what he started,” Sheikha Shamma said.
Nepal suffered a major earthquake on April 25 and then a major aftershock on May 12. Nearly 9,000 lives were taken, 23,000 were injured and tens of thousands of homes were destroyed. Several dozen Nepalese workers are employed by Zayed University, and many of them have loved ones affected by the quakes.
The campaign included participation from various university student clubs and associations, including the Zayed University Abu Dhabi Student Council, AIN Club, Kharareef Club, Spots Multimedia, Basma Club and the Japanese Club. In addition, the Academic Bridge Program also showed their support by distributing “Stay Strong Nepal” bracelets and collecting donations that would later on go to the Nepalese workers on campus.
Zayed University Nepalese workers attended the event and were visibly moved when Sheikha Shamma and Ambassador Jham entered the Promenade.
“We were inspired by our great leadership’s support to Nepal, so we thought we had to walk on the same path,” said Afnan Albreiki, president of the Student Council.
The Women’s Union was also among the participants at the event and their participation included a bazar in Zayed University’s promenade to support the cause. All the revenue of the bazar went as donation to support Nepal. At the bazar, a tent was raised, and there Arab food was served.
Part of the revenue from the campaign and the bazar was later sent to Khalifa Humanitarian Fund, and some was given directly to the Nepalese workers at Zayed University. Approximately Dh85,000 was raised during the day, according to Britt Mitchell, a mathematics professor and one of the organizers.
In addition to the Nepal fundraiser, the various student organizations raised money for all of the laborers on campus. A similar event was held on the male side of campus on May 21.
“Together, your donations made a significant difference in the lives of the people who keep our campus so beautiful,” said Robyn Albers, a business communication and ESL instructor who helped organize the campaign. “We were able to support 170 workers at Zayed University. Thank you for your generosity and willingness to show appreciation to those who labor so hard around us.”
This story was originally published on June 3, 2015. It was re-uploaded on Dec. 25, 2020. The photo that accompanied this story was lost due to the loss of the domain name.
