Dubai’s ETA Star Property Developers Presents Two Million Dirham Donation To Habitat
Contribution In The First Year Of Three-Year Partnership Will Help Build Habitat Homes in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ethiopia
DUBAI, 12th December 2008: ETA Star Property Developers, a real estate company based in the United Arab Emirates, recently presented its donation of two million dirham (about US544,650) in the first year of a three-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
Thankful: Rick Hathaway, Habitat’s Asia-Pacific vice president, hopes that ETA Star’s donation would set an example for other corporate supporters.
Star presence: Indian movie star and Habitat supporter John Abraham at the check presentation ceremony in Dubai.
The contribution, which came from ETA Star’s Homes for the Homeless campaign, will help Habitat to build homes with families in need in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ethiopia. The campaign aims to donate a percentage of the total sales from ETA Star and its business partners during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan every September for three years. ETA Star’s partners are Dubai Lifestyle City, Homes r Us and Star Cement.
Rick Hathaway, Asia-Pacific vice president, Habitat for Humanity International, received the check in a ceremony held recently in Dubai. He said: “We are very thankful to ETA Star and its partners for their involvement and contribution. This donation would go a long way in providing a shelter to people who are struggling to make ends meet – without a roof over their head. We hope initiatives such as this would set an example for other corporate houses and be a catalyst in the development of impoverished communities.”
Abid Junaid, executive director of ETA Star, said: “We are convinced that our initiative will bring in a positive change for a number of homeless families. We have found a dependable and honorable partner in Habitat for Humanity.”
Among the guests in attendance was Indian movie star John Abraham, a strong supporter of Habitat for Humanity programs in India and a well-known celebrity in the Gulf. Abraham lent his support to the Homes for the Homeless campaign by featuring in a TV advertisement. At the check presentation ceremony, the Indian star also auctioned his black leather jacket and a football autographed by him, raising an additional 65,000 dirham for Habitat.
Abraham’s presence in Dubai also drew the local media. In an interview with Dubai’sCity Times newspaper, the Indian star said: “Habitat for Humanity has done commendable work in India. I’ve been part of a ‘build’ once and it’s been the most exciting thing to do. That’s where people actually lend their time to build homes for people. I’d like to mobilize a younger work-force in India to do that.”