Apparel Group and UAE Exchange partner with ETA Star for Ramadan charity initiative

The property developer has partnered with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to eliminating poverty, for its Homes for the Homeless initiative. The programme plans to raise money to build homes for the deprived in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and India.

The Apparel Group, a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate, and UAE Exchange Centre, a global leader in remittances, have extended their support to ETA Star in increasing the awareness of the campaign through their stores located across the UAE.

Since its launch the Homes for the Homeless initiative has been able to help in the construction of over 821 houses, thus providing over 4255 persons a roof over their head. The programme has constructed houses in the UAE, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.

More information about the programme is available at the purpose created web site. Contributions to the programme can be made through the web site throughout the holy month of Ramadan.

Commenting on the third edition of the Homes for the Homeless initiative, Mr. Abid Junaid, Executive Director, ETA Star, said:

"It gives us immense pleasure, pride and satisfaction to note that the Homes for the Homeless programme has benefited more than 4000 lives across four countries. The objective of the initiative has been to help the maximum of deprived families with a roof over their head. We will continue to strive in helping the needy in the best ways we can."

He added: "We thank Apparel Group and UAE Exchange who have come forward to support the Homes for the Homeless initiative this year. We are certain that our partners' involvement will help in visibility and spreading the word around on the campaign and help the cause."

Mr. Sudhir Kumar Shetty, COO - Global Operations, UAE Exchange, said, 'Social responsibility forms one of our core work philosophies. We have been involved in many community welfare programmes in the UAE and beyond. The Homes for the Homeless initiative is a successful example of how corporations can contribute to make a better world. We are happy to be associated with the programme."

Mr. Nilesh Ved, Chairman, Apparel Group, said: "We are delighted to be associated with this noble initiative. By providing a roof over the underprivileged we believe the Homes for the Homeless initiative would help the beneficiaries lay foundations to a more secured life. The Apparel Group will go all out in promoting the event amongst its customers in all its stores across the UAE."

Habitat for Humanity has built more than 250,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1m people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Through volunteer labour and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labour — sweat equity — into building their Habitat house and the houses of others. Some of Habitat's star volunteers include former US President Jimmy Carter, musician Jon Bon Jovi and actors Brad Pitt and John Abraham.