The CURE Oasis hospital in the United Arab Emirates is in the midst of celebrating 50 years of serving the people of that country. Over the last few months it has held various events to mark this historic occasion; its most recent an evening to honor the women of the U.A.E.  Below is a description sent to us by the hospital  of what happened on that evening of September 18 :

Her Highness Shaikha Aisha bint Ali Al Darmaki was the patron as Oasis Hospital continued commemorating its 50^th anniversary by hosting a special evening honoring the women of the United Arab Emirates on September18.  Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bint Khaled Al Nahayan, wife of Sheikh Nahayan Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, was present, bringing greetings from Her Highness Shaikha Aisha bint Ali Al Darmaki and receiving a special gift on her behalf.

During the evening, women from all walks of life and every generation gathered to celebrate Oasis Hospital’s 50 years of health care in the region.  The event honored the role of women in the history of the U.A.E. and recognized their significant contribution today and in the future. Oasis Hospital, which opened in 1960 at the invitation of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the first hospital in the Abu Dhabi emirate.  Many long-term staff members of the hospital were also present, some serving for more than 30 years.

Guests were welcomed by Elizabeth Printy and Fatima Al Dhaheri, who was born at Oasis Hospital and went on to become the first U.A.E. national female electrical engineer in the Abu Dhabi emirate.  Huda Al Riyami, a local artist, exhibited her excellent artwork in a beautiful display.  Amal Ahmed Aqlan presented a gift to Oasis Hospital on behalf of the Community Police.  Also there was Jamila Ahmed Al Balushi, a Master Trainer in the Al Ain office of the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi.  Many other prominent women in today’s U.A.E. work force were also present.

The well-attended evening was filled with stories and memories of the early days of health care and life in Al Ain. In addition, awards were given to the youngest mother present and the mother with the most children.  Also recognized was the family with the most generations who have delivered at Oasis Hospital, along with those who delivered children under the care of Drs. Pat and Marian Kennedy, the hospital’s founding doctors.

In her address to the guests, Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bint Khaled Al Nahayan, wife of Sheikh Nahayan Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, expressed the ongoing support of her entire family for Oasis Hospital.  She mentioned Oasis Hospital’s kind and merciful care, showing love and concern for all people.  She said the strong ties between Oasis Hospital and the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan continue today, and their support and encouragement for the hospital’s work has not wavered.

Overall, the evening was a great success as women of the U.A.E. were honored for their contributions, past and present.  Special thanks were again expressed to Her Highness Shaikha Aisha bint Ali Al Darmaki and Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bint Khaled Al Nahayan, wife of Sheikh Nahayan Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, for their support of Oasis Hospital and for their patronage during the evening’s celebrations.

This semester, students at Mt. Olive College in North Carolina are doing more than studying and writing term papers — they are helping to transform lives!

The college has a new course, Art for a Cause, the brainchild of Larry Lean, Professor of Art and Visual Communication at Mount Olive College. Recently, Professor Lean’s daughter, Katherine, went on a short-term trip to CURE’s hospital in Uganda. When she returned, she brought back the stories of the children at the hospital being treated for life-threatening hydrocephalus and other neurosurgical conditions. She also shared how the hospital staff taught the young patients’ mothers to make paper beaded jewelry.  This jewelry could then be sold to help pay for their child’s treatment. It is also a great skill that they can use for income when they return to their home villages.

After hearing his daughter’s stories,  the idea for Art for a Cause came to Professor Lean. “I want students to realize that creativity is a gift, and they should share these gifts – not for a self serving purpose, but to help others,” Lean said.  The students are using the  paper bead technique to create jewelry that will be sold at a silent auction at the end of the semester.  100% of the profits will go to CURE and providng life-changing surgery for children around the world.

“This class is so different because we are learning things beyond academics,” says Matt Stevens, a senior visual communications major from Mount Olive. “We are really making a difference with our art.”

Thank you Art for a Cause students.  You certainly are making a difference with your art!

For more information on Art for Cause, Art for a Cause.