Expo 2020 Dubai: Meet the youngest volunteer, 18 years old; the oldest, 79 years old-News

When the 2020 Dubai Expo opens in October, 30,000 volunteers from 135 countries will complete the training and prepare to welcome the world. This is a once-in-a-lifetime task and there is no age limit-the oldest volunteer is 79 years old and the youngest is 18 years old.

The 79-year-old Mahabir Singhal didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be part of the world’s greatest performance, so when opportunities for voluntary service emerged, he was “eager to try.”

“I like to meet other people. In fact, when I am with people, I am the happiest. With this spirit, I enjoy the process of volunteering. I am very happy to help other people and give back to the community. I learn from it It’s a lot of benefits,” said Singhal, who has lived in Dubai for the past 44 years Khaleej Times.

After retiring from DP World as the chief financial officer, the Indian expatriate decided to settle in the emirate. When he learned that he had the opportunity to volunteer at the World Expo, he thought, “Where else can I have the opportunity to participate in the world event at home?”

Singhal is no stranger to volunteering. He once ran a seafarer welfare center and managed it for several years. “I have served on several sports club committees and I am currently a member of the board of directors of Dubai Heights Academy.”

At the World Expo, his duties include greeting and guiding visitors, and telling them the details of the pavilion assigned to him.

The Expo volunteers were selected from 175,000 applicants, exceeding the target of 100,000. They are all very excited to be a host and have a lifetime experience.

Emirati teenagers ready to show off Arab hospitality

For Eissa Alnaamani, an 18-year-old Emirati, volunteering for the World Expo is an excellent opportunity for the world to experience the Arab hospitality he has embraced since childhood.

“We treat our guests kindly. This time, we have many guests from different parts of the world. I hope the leaders of the country know that young people like us are at the forefront of this event and we will make them proud,” Said Alnaami, who studied at Sir Bani Yas Middle School.

He said that any Emirati is honored to be able to participate in “one of the biggest and most important events to be held in my country”.

“I believe I will gain new experience and knowledge from it,” he added.

Alnaami said this is also an opportunity for him to learn from others. “I see this volunteering experience as a challenge and use this opportunity to improve my skills in order to help me in the future.”

After graduating from high school, Alnaami wanted to go to the Royal Military Academy. “This experience has been very helpful in helping me achieve my goals. I am lucky to be born in this country because nothing is impossible in the UAE.”

The team goes beyond excitement

Revathi Ravindranathan Nair is another student volunteer who grew up in the UAE and is eager to give back to the community.

“I have lived in the UAE since I was six years old. Personally, participating in the Expo is a great opportunity to contribute to this country that has been so generous to me and my family for many years,” Bangalore Jain Teaching college graduates said.

She said she was “very excited” about being a volunteer for the media service team.

She said: “I can’t wait to look forward to the surreal adrenaline soaring and the thrill of meeting more new friends, and enjoy it while we enjoy various performances and time together.”

Prisca Mbori, a Kenyan sales professional and mother of three, also sees it as an opportunity to “give back to this amazing country.”

“As a UAE resident for 12 years, this has become a home for me and my family. I am very happy that I have become a part of history. As a volunteer, I serve the country without expectations. However, in the process, I believe I will learn a lot from international events of this scale,” Mbori said.

Volunteers represent the diversity of Dubai

Abeer Al Hosani, Director of World Expo Volunteers, said that the 2020 Dubai World Expo volunteers represent the diversity and multiculturalism of Dubai.

Women account for more than half of the volunteers, and 46% are UAE nationals.

“As the first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, our volunteers are as diverse as the host city. This is very suitable. From all walks of life, including college students, employees, national service students, housewives, retirees and People of determination, Expo volunteers represent more than 135 countries,” Al Hosani said in an interview. Khaleej Times.

Currently, with the support of the Dubai Police, the official training support organization for Expo 2020 volunteers, volunteers are undergoing a comprehensive training program.

They will play a key role in managing the large number of different experiences, events and global discussions that take place every day at the World Expo.

“They will be the first point of contact for millions of visitors who join us, so their responsibilities will be different,” Al Hosani said.

“Their contribution is crucial at every stage of the Expo experience, providing services in themed pavilions, events, ceremonies and entertainment, transportation, VIPs and concierges, technical support and other important parts.”

For example, members of the national team will be assigned to a specific national pavilion, responsible for assisting in the delivery and management of its daily activities. The school team members will support the school group visit, which will be carried out on working days, and guide the group to visit the World Expo.

anjana@khaleejtimes.com

Anjana Sankar

Anjana Sankar is a journalist based in the UAE, focusing on stories of global conflict, immigration and human rights. She has reported on the front lines of the wars in Yemen and Syria, and has written numerous articles about refugee crises in Bangladesh, Iraq and Europe. From interviewing Daesh militants to joining the UAE army in Yemen, to earthquakes, floods, terrorist attacks and elections, she came out of the most dangerous conflict zone in the world without incident. With more than 14 years of experience, Anjana is currently an assistant editor of Khaleej Times and leads the reporting team. She often talks about women’s empowerment on a Facebook page with more than 40,000 fans.