Throughout my work for more than a decade in the humanitarian sector I have been to countless charity gatherings, functions, events and workshops. I have conducted and hosted a number of fund raising events for Islamic Relief but the round-off dinner arranged by Charity Week (CW) Scotland team in Edinburgh on 12 November was one of unforgettable events of my recent past. I was invited to the dinner to observe the gets and gains of CW 2011 and deliver my message to the volunteers.

Charity Week 2011 in Scotland was basically a project of leading Scottish universities students to raise funds and generate awareness about the worst condition of orphans and needy children in East Africa.

CW Edinburgh hosted the round-off dinner and called on the volunteers of CW from all parts of Scotland to show them their glorious performances during the Week. I was very inspired to see the passionate involvement of the volunteers in the gathering. Each team vocalized their fundraising plans and explained using pictures and video clips, ways they all raised funds. Their speeches were clearly reflecting their mature frame of mind and tender feeling towards the orphans and deprived children. In the end I was invited on the stage to sum up the whole proceedings. The work and potential I saw in CW has really moved me. They managed to raise £58,000 in just a week. I praised and appreciated the efforts of the volunteers in best possible way.

Being an activist of Islamic Relief I am fully aware of the worth and significance of the youth in charity works. To me they are the ones who make all the difference in the humanitarian sector. They work selflessly, energetically, and with great commitment. That was what I saw in the volunteers of CW. They organized charity dinner to raise funds for the orphans, met people in the business community, faced masses in general in the streets, bucketed for the needy children, did their best to advocate the case of the deprived and deserving children whom they don’t even know. They spent their golden moments for a whole week just to make people aware of the adversity of suffering little kids. That’s what humanity is all about.

I believe the hard work of CW volunteers from St. Andrews, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh is a remarkable contribution towards eliminating the sufferings of orphans and needy children in East Africa. I on behalf of Islamic Relief pay my heartily thanks to all the volunteers, organizers and contributors of Charity Week who did their best for this noble cause and wish them best of luck for CW 2012.