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The Sharing Fridges

Bobo DXB
Jun 19, 2017
3 min read

I often hear critics about Dubai saying people are all about bling, money and themselves. That people are ego-centered and there is no real feeling of community. Two recurrent clichés the simple initiative of the Sharing Fridges destroys on the spot, proving if it was needed that a common goal can gather the most heterogeneous community.

Pic : @ramadanfridgesdxb

For several years, individuals have been placing fridges outside their home to share food and beverage with the needy during Ramadan. But when in 2016, Sumayyah, an Australian expat living in Springs had the idea of creating a Facebook group to find donors to fill up her fridge, the isolated initiative reached a turning point and fridges started to pop all over Dubai. The Ramadan Fridges were born.

Back in 2017 under the umbrella of the Red Crescent and in collaboration with Open Arms UAE, the Sharing fridges have been again popping on the map. You may have seen them around or heard about them on the radio, for the all duration of Ramadan, they will be awaiting for your donations.

The idea is basic yet very efficient, individuals install a fridge outside their home and anyone can fill it up with fruits, laban, milk, juices, biscuits, veggies, crips or chocolate for the less fortunates - workers, gardeners, security guards... - to come help themselves with some food or water, seat in the shade for a short break or exchange a couple of words with the Fridge managers. One single rules to respect tho, for hygiene purposes, no hot or cooked food.

Pic : @ramadanfridgesdxb

The initiative is supported and coordinated by a group of 13 expat ladies from different origins, religions or languages all united around one common goal : make the life of the workers better during the Holy month of Ramadan. They are the one coordinating the corporate donations, gathering the information, animating the Facebook group, updating the map on Google, getting the Government approvals or spreading the word thru the press and social media.

But the initiative would not exist without the extraordinary commitment of the Fridge Managers, spending sometime hours in the heat to welcome donors and workers, or the "Fridge Fairies", the cute nickname given to the anonymous donors filling the fridge on regular basis.

For the second year in a row, I am blessed to be part of the admin Team and to operate as a regular Fridge Fairy around Marina. I have to confess this is one of the most rewarding thing I have been doing in my life. Giving back to my community is a beautiful way to express my gratitude for living in such an amazing place as Dubai but the feeling of unity when I see all these persons, from totally different backgrounds, coming all together to do good is giving me faith in human race, far from all the stupid conflicts shaking the world now days.

Dubai is not only the clichés of eternal summer and comfortable life, it is also a great example of tolerance where 198 nationalities co-exists in peace and sometimes, bring the best of their culture and beliefs to create beautiful initiative of mutual assistance. I believe this is what the Sharing Fridges are all about.