Majid Al Futtaim Ventures Spread the Message of Giving this Ramadan

Dubai, UAE - Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa, conducted an enriching visit to the Senses Residential and Day Care Centre on Wednesday 9^th July, as part of their on-going support for the centre and its children. CEOs from Majid Al Futtaim- Ventures’ business units along with over 50 staff volunteers personally delivered a specially designed bus along with numerous generous donations from all of the business units which have been funded, sourced and managed by the staff themselves. Majid Al Futtaim Ventures received a warm welcome by members of the Senses Management team, which included Mrs. Nadia Al Sayegh, General Manager, Founder and Head of the Board, Dr. Lina Owies, Executive Manager and Khawla Al Sayegh, Vice Executive Manager.

Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO at Majid Al Futtaim – Ventures, said, “Senses is a fantastic organisation which offers vital support and care for over 90 children with special needs. Majid Al Futtaim Ventures’ staff members have worked tirelessly to raise funding and source relevant and much needed equipment for the Centre, and being able to deliver them during Ramadan is the perfect way to spread the message of giving. Our on-going support of Senses is an integral part of our commitment to engaging with the wider community and it is an honour to support such a worthy cause as we strive to create great moments for everyone, every day, both inside and outside of the workplace.”

Senses is a not-for-profit organisation which offers around the clock care to resident children, orphans and day-care students with varying levels of special needs and disabilities, providing them with a caring environment which encourages growth and learning. Senses offers children a variety of therapies based on their particular needs including hydrotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy, sensory therapy and nursing care. Majid Al Futtaim Ventures has partnered with Senses since the start of 2013 and staff volunteers work continuously to find ways to support the centre, and these Ramadan donations are a huge part of this on-going commitment. The donations offer not only vital facilities and health services to the children, but also opportunity for entertainment and fun.

To ensure the safe transportation of the centre’s children, employees of Majid Al Futtaim – Fashion spent seven months conducting fundraising activities to raise enough money to purchase a bus that is tailored for children with special needs. The bus seats 25 and is a vital resource for the centre and its residential and day-care children.

The physical and oral health of the children and staff are very important to Senses and therefore Majid Al Futtaim– Healthcare and its City Centre Clinic, will be conducting an event at the centre conducting free dental & Ophthalmology check-ups for the children and free blood pressure, blood sugar testing and GP consultations for the faculty. In addition to this, City Centre Clinic will be providing Senses with a monthly visit by one of their staff paediatricians to perform regular check-ups on the children. City Centre Clinic’s Orthopaedics Department will offer their expertise to the children’s physiotherapists to help support ongoing treatment plans for children with physical deformities.

The centre also needs a constant supply of medical supplies and Majid Al Futtaim– Leisure and Entertainment raised funds of over 30,000 AED to donate pharmacy supplies, detergents, clothes and other essentials. Volunteer staff members from the business unit will manage the whole process to ensure these supplies are funded, sourced and delivered effectively to the centre.

To further improve the facilities offered by Senses, MAF Dalkia is funding a re-paint of the centre’s buildings, ensuring the children have clean, bright and welcoming surroundings.

Majid Al Futtaim- Finance has donated vital appliances worth over 34,000 AED including washing machines and dryers, air conditioning units, irons and microwaves. They have also donated an outdoor storage facility in which the childrens’ wheelchairs can be kept.

Making sure the children are entertained and have fun is equally important to Senses and VOX Cinemas and Majid Al Futtaim- Leisure and Entertainment kindly donated their services to both the children and the Senses staff. VOX Cinemas invites the children to participate in “Sunday Fun Day” where they can enjoy a complimentary movie with popcorn and drinks once a month. Majid Al Futtaim Leisure and Entertainment will also donate 76 complementary Ski Dubai and iFLY vouchers for the staff and whilst the adults are kept busy, the children will be entertained with face painting and balloon bending, plus the children are invited to their own fun day at Ski Dubai.

Majid Al Futtaim – Ventures’ joint venture Gourmet Gulf donated generous discount cards to Senses staff and children to enjoy at their various food and beverage outlets including California Pizza Kitchen, Hummingbird Bakery and Yo! Sushi.

These fantastic donations, particularly during the holy moth, allowed staff of Majid Al Futtaim- Ventures to enjoy the gift of giving, and to continue to support this worthy organisation and the important work they do for the children.