By Ayesha Abdulla
ABU DHABI — Brione LaThrop, an instructor in Zayed University’s Academic Bridge Program, believes everybody in the United Arab Emirates should be proud of how compassionate we are.
“Giving is part of the DNA of the UAE,” Ms. LaThrop told students during a recent visit to a communication class. “The UAE just gave two tons of food to Yemen during Eid.”
The ZU instructor took part in the Global Unity Games during September. The games concluded on Sept. 21, which also is the annual World Peace Day. Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi, also known as the “Green Sheikh,” spoke at twofour54 on World Peace Day.
“He challenged us to think about how we can make a difference in the limited amount of time we have on this planet,” Ms. LaThrop said.
The Global Unity Games were created to promote compassion and volunteerism.
“It’s a global peace initiative that’s centered around service,” Ms. LaThrop said. “It’s about volunteerism — what can you do to make the world better. I challenge you to do something, however small, to show your compassion.”
The ZU instructor said she got involved in these games as a way of celebrating the service of individuals in the UAE, as well as the service of the country.
“My goal was to promote the country — promote Sheikh Zayed as the humanitarian that he was, for his entire life.” said Ms. LaThrop.
Ms. LaThrop stressed that these games are not a competition, but a coopetition.
“These games are called coopetition not competition,” Ms. LaThrop said. “Coopetiton is about us pushing each other to be better.
“For me the ultimate goal is for it to not just stop in the GCC. But for it to challenge all 50 Muslim-majority countries around the world to participate in the games, to see who’s the kindest country on the planet.”
Ms. LaThrop recommended volunteering for university students. She gave several examples of the kind of volunteer work students can do, starting with some easy tasks. She encouraged students to write about what they’re grateful for.
“Why not write a little note to your mother thanking her for all she does for you,” the ZU professor said.
Ms. LaThrop, a former recording producer in the United States, also suggested that students should participate in the next round of the Global Unity Games, which will be held from Nov. 29 to Dec. 9. Activities that she would like to see students do include the Gratitude Gram and engaging with a website called FreeRice.com.
“FreeRice.com is a lot of fun,” the ZU instructor said. “You play a vocabulary game, and every time you get a correct answer, 10 grains of rice are sent to hungry people around the world.”
Other activities include the Compassion Torch through Social Media and the Pledge to Do a Good Deed.
The ZU professor also recommended volunteering for university students. She gave several examples of the kind of volunteer work students can so, starting with some easy tasks. She encouraged students to write about what they are grateful for.
Ms. LaThrop teaches English in the academic bridge program and is the coordinator of The Story Mile project, in which students make books and other public presentations of native Emirati folk tales. She urged students to reflect on the good deeds they’ve done recently and encourage others to do good deeds.
“What are you doing to make a difference?” Ms. LaThrop said in conclusion.
This story was originally published on Sept. 29, 2016. It was re-uploaded on Dec. 31, 2020.
