Volunteering is one of the social sectors that has seen exponential growth rates in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi over the past years due to the rapid population growth and the resultant need for greater involvement of people from variant backgrounds to commit themselves to working for various social causes and community development programmes. Voluntary work in Abu Dhabi is practiced both at the organizational as well as individual levels and its impact has been highly remarkable in sparking significant social changes and alleviating the suffering of thousands of people within the UAE and beyond.
The Emirate, in keeping with the spirit of giving enshrined by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the UAE society, has been providing enormous support for various volunteering initiatives launched by both government and private institutions, creating a vibrant atmosphere for voluntary work both at local and international levels.
Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering for a good cause is a rewarding activity that strengthens social bonds and increases the integration of individuals into society.
For individuals, volunteering helps discover and unlock their potentials by engaging in activities that benefit the community and address its needs quickly and with less effort. It also helps personality development by boosting self-confidence and giving a great sense of worth and self-esteem.
For community organizations, it is helpful to identify various social needs and mobilize domestic resources in an effective and coordinated manner.
Volunteering Opportunities in Abu Dhabi
The efforts of volunteers in the UAE are mainly focused on helping the most vulnerable sections of society including the elderly, orphans, people with special needs, the poor and victims of calamities within the country and abroad.
Volunteers make regular visits to the centers of the elderly, orphans and people with special needs and organize various programmes for them, especially during the summer. They also take part in conducting social researches and surveys and organizing environment, safety and health awareness programmes, as well as major tourism events.
