Student volunteers from the American University of Sharjah’s (AUS) Saudi Cultural Club in the United Arab Emirates recently renovated an orphan's home under the care of Human Appeal International in Ajman.

More than 30 members of the AUS volunteered for the project under the supervision of the university's Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Community Services, in partnership with Human Appeal International. The funding for the project was mainly provided by private sponsors.

The renovation was carried out over a period of one week, with student volunteers working alongside a contractor to clean, paint and decorate the house. In addition, basic home furnishings were provided to replace old and damaged items.

"This project was just a small gesture to show our love for the UAE, which we consider our second home. The UAE taught us what it means to be united and here we are, united with passion, hand in hand, for a good deed," said Balquees Basalom, president of AUS Saudi Cultural Club and team leader of the project volunteers.

“I wish to thank the Saudi Club for their enthusiasm in extending help to the needy. With their hard work and efforts, they have improved the shelter and better living conditions for an orphan. I also wish to thank the sponsors for providing the necessary funding to complete this humanitarian project,” Dr. Moza Al-Shehhi, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said.

This is the seventh renovation project under the “Hand in Hand” initiative, an award-winning annual project organized by OSA Community Services which received the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work in 2010 and in 2013. The initiative is aimed at improving the lives of the needy to promote a stronger society while at the same time promoting volunteerism among the youth.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Saudi Embassy, the Kingdom's Cultural Attaché and Saudi Arabia’s Fly Nas Airlines, as well as officials from AUS and Human Appeal International, in Ajman.