Vistra UAE Charity Iftar

On Wednesday, 31 May, Vistra UAE organised a Charity Iftar together with START, a non-profit organisation running art workshops for orphans, refugees and special needs children across the Middle East and India, to raise funds in support of art therapy workshops for children with special needs in the UAE. During the auction of eight artworks produced by children and local artists, a phenomenal sum of over AED 17,000 (more than USD 4,500) was raised, all of which has been donated to START.

An Iftar is the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Muslims break their fast at the time of the call to the evening prayer. Donations during Ramadan are very common, as the Holy month is the time for Muslims to give back to the community. Employees of Vistra UAE were dedicated to contribute their own share to make this heart-warming event happen, also in the light of 2017 being the year of Giving, as announced by UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

START has a mission to heal and educate children who have suffered with war, pain and loss. They run over 60 workshops for over 2,000 underprivileged children every week. Their workshops give children the opportunity to express themselves, engage with others and develop a feeling of self-worth. START run workshops in UAE, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and India in refugee camps, orphanages and special needs centres. Vistra UAE employees volunteered to support art workshops last year, and will do so again this year.