Dubai: The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai is continuing its successful initiative, ‘A Day with My Parents’, designed to strengthen family ties and foster community cohesion. This project allows children of GDRFA staff to spend an entire day at their parents’ workplaces, providing them with a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the professional responsibilities and roles their parents fulfill.
The initiative, which involves 100 children aged between 6 and 16, is part of GDRFA’s broader efforts to support social stability and build a cohesive community. By introducing children to the work environment, the program aims to develop their social and emotional skills, helping them better understand the demands of their parents’ jobs and the importance of their contributions to society.
Direct benefits of this project:
- Enhanced Understanding of Parents’ Work
- Strengthening Family Bonds
- Educational Opportunity
- Real-Life Experience
- Improving Parent-Child Communication
- Encouraging Social Responsibility
- Positive Workplace Culture
A Day in the Life of a Professional
Through this project, children are exposed to various aspects of their parents’ work. They are taken to different GDRFA offices, including the main office, regional offices, the airport sector, the Hatta Border Crossing, the Shelter Center for Visa Violators, and the Jebel Ali Port. These visits allow them to observe the daily operations and responsibilities carried out by their parents and colleagues.
Additionally, the program includes visits to administrative buildings and facilities, giving the children a comprehensive view of the working environment. A workshop titled “Volunteer Heroes” is also part of the initiative, aiming to instill a sense of social responsibility in the children and encourage them to appreciate the role of community service.
Building Stronger Family Bonds
One of the key benefits of the “A Day with My Parents” project is the opportunity it provides for children and parents to connect in a new and meaningful way. By spending time together in a professional setting, children can see their parents in a different light, which fosters mutual respect and understanding. This shared experience also helps to open up conversations about work-life challenges, enhancing parent-child communication and empathy.
Educational and Social Impact
The initiative is not just about spending a day at the office; it’s an educational experience that broadens the children’s understanding of different professions and the inner workings of government and administrative sectors. It serves as an inspiration for future career choices and helps children develop a realistic perspective on the professional world.
Moreover, the project contributes to a positive workplace culture by involving employees’ families in their professional lives. This inclusion creates a more supportive and inclusive work environment, boosting employee morale and reinforcing the sense of community within the organization.
GDRFA’s Commitment to Community
Lt. General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Chief of GDRFA, highlighted that this initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the connection between the younger generation and the work environment while reinforcing family bonds. The “A Day with My Parents” project exemplifies GDRFA’s commitment to building a cohesive and stable society, ensuring that the importance of family and community is recognized and celebrated.
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