The office conference room was transformed from a quiet meeting space into a bustling hub of activity, as more than 50 GE Aerospace employees moved in an organic, unchoreographed ballet of activity to make boxes, fill them with foodstuffs, and then seal and stack them for distribution to families and laborers in need in Dubai.
In just a few hours, the employees successfully packed 250 boxes filled with food essentials such as cooking oil, rice, beans, milk and pasta to dates, sugar, tea and biscuits. This event was one of three organized by GE Aerospace employees in the UAE during the month of Ramadan. Employees also donated 250 hot iftar meals for those breaking their daily fast and participated in the “Joy of Shopping” initiative to bring joy to underprivileged children by helping them select and purchase new clothes for Eid.
“There is just such a great energy,” said Omar Abou-Alam, Regional General Manager for Commercial Operations in the Middle East, Türkiye and CIS (METCIS) region. “Everyone has a smile on their face because everyone knows they’re working for a worthy cause. It just feels really good, doing something that has such a positive impact.”
The activities were also an early celebration of GE Aerospace’s inaugural Global Volunteer Week, a worldwide effort involving more than 60 volunteer events taking place in communities where our employees live and work, marking the one-year anniversary of the company’s launch as an independent corporation on April 2.
“Ramadan fasting is not only about the physical act of not eating food,” said Nour El-Khatib, Senior Sales Support Director for the Middle East, Türkiye and CIS, GE Aerospace, and lead organizer of the Ramadan activities. “It’s about appreciating your blessings and feeling empathy for those who do not have the same access to resources we have. This is why Ramadan is the month of giving back.”
The food box initiative was part of the “Sustaining Blessing Program,” organized by the Royati Family Society and Dubai Charity Association. Thanks to an increase in financial contributions from employees this year, the campaign – which is an annual tradition – was able to double the number of food boxes donated compared to last year.
Asma Abdullah, Senior Contract Manager for LEAP engines with GE Aerospace in METCIS, said community-focused events like the box filling reflected the culture and character of employees. “Typically, everybody is so busy with their work, but with every volunteering event, you will get everybody, irrespective of their role or what’s on their to-do list that day, just coming together to do humanitarian work, and I just love being a part of that.”
Meanwhile the “Joy of Shopping” new clothes campaign was organized by Rawafed, a charity focused on strengthening society and empowering youth. During shopping events, employees accompanied children being assisted by Rawafed to pick out a special outfit for the first day of Eid. This campaign holds significant meaning for the children, as it allows them to share in one of the holiday’s highlights: wearing new clothes to celebrate the conclusion of the fasting month.
The GE Aerospace charity events align well with the UAE’s “Year of Community,” which calls on citizens and residents to “contribute through community service, volunteerism, and impactful initiatives that promote shared responsibility and drive progress.”
As Abou-Alam put it, “Having that connection with your community, and remembering how fortunate we are to have what we have, it’s why we’re here. It’s good to do good things in your community.”
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GE Aerospace is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, as well as integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft.
