ABU DHABI, 6th July, 2023 (WAM) – The Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an held an event as part of their Journey of Generations initiative, bringing together senior citizens and youth volunteers at the iconic Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.
Launched in 2019, Journey of Generations is an intergenerational engagement programme created by Ma’an that reflects the mandate of the UAE leadership regarding the care of senior citizens and residents and the importance of building bridges of communication between the different age groups.
One of the senior citizens in attendance, Abdullah Al Mazmi, recalled being one of the first members of the initiative started four years ago. “After a fruitful career as a space and aviation engineer, I have been enjoying retirement for the past 20 years. It is heartwarming to see the enthusiasm and drive of the younger generation and through these initiatives, we get to share the wealth of our knowledge gained from our life experiences.
"Journey of Generations enables a positive learning environment both for seniors and the youth and gives us the chance to meet new people, explore new locations and expand our knowledge by engaging in diverse activities,” he noted.
Speaking on his experience as a volunteer, Omar Hassan shared how his time spent with the senior citizens and other volunteers has helped him foster meaningful connections and he now considers them as extended family.
“There is a familiar sense of belonging that enables individuals to experience a positive family-like dynamic. One of the main skills I have improved through volunteering is communication and it greatly impacted my self-esteem and made me aware of my potential as a leader. More than anything, knowing that I have played a role in improving someone’s life and putting a smile on their face is more than enough to make my volunteering efforts worthwhile," he added.
Dr. Mohamed Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director of Community Engagement and Volunteering Sector, said, “Journey of Generations is an innovative approach to community engagement and volunteering as it focuses on increasing interaction amongst different generations. We would like to thank all our existing volunteers and senior citizens and encourage other community members to participate in our initiatives, which have been designed to build a happy, productive, and cohesive society.”
Through its partnerships with government entities, the private sector, the “Third Sector”, and volunteer groups, Ma'an is furthering its commitment to enhance the wellbeing of communities across Abu Dhabi.