Saudi Gazette report

Dubai — If you are an Arab national, have experience in humanitarian or community service, have a positive outlook toward life and know the language of compassion both spoken and written, then you may be a candidate for Arab Hope Maker award of $272,000 or one million dirhams.

Any person, organization, association, volunteer group or institution having a humanitarian initiative in any field is eligible to apply for the Arab Hope Maker Award under certain conditions.

So far 65,489 submissions have been made.

Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum announced on Saturday through Twitter the return of the Arab Hope Makers initiative.

Referring to the Arab Hope Makers initiative, Sheikh Mohammed said: “There are those who make a difference and positively contribute toward people’s suffering; and there are those who watch. We have thousands who perform charitable acts including caring for orphans, feeding the hungry, supporting the youth and treating the ill. The latter are the flame of hope in our Arab world.”

“We will continue to fight despair and pessimism in our Arab world with thousands of remarkable stories and with thousands of positive hope makers. Every individual has an ounce of goodness, I call all to join the journey of hope,” he added.

The Arab Hope Makers initiative seeks to honor the people that launch humanitarian initiatives, projects and programs that improve their communities, the quality of life in their environments and help those in need, making a positive impact on the lives of people around them.

The Arab Hope Makers initiative honors people and institutions that pursue a humanitarian goal.

The Arab Hope Maker must have a project, program, campaign or initiative that is creative and influential, and that contributes to improving the lives of others.

The Arab Hope Maker may also relieve the suffering of a particular social group, develop a social, economic, cultural or educational environment, or contribute to solving any challenge faced by his or her community, in a non-profit and volunteer capacity, without any profit or material benefit. If you’re one with an ambition towards change, making a difference and helping change the life of a community, this position is for you. All you need is an idea and hope.