More than 40 student volunteers from American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently renovated the Al Haitham Quran Learning Center in Sharjah as part of a project of the AUS Office of Student Affairs. The handover took place yesterday, March 4.

Located in Al Hazana area in Sharjah, the center teaches the Holy Quran and Sunnah to orphan children.

Organized by the Office of Student Affairs' Community Services Division, the renovation of the center was carried out during February. AUS student volunteers were assigned tasks according their areas of interest. The renovation involved general cleaning, repainting the interior and exterior walls, changing carpets and decorating.

Present at the handover were Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs; Munketh Taha, Director of Student Development and Organizations; Aisha Ali, Community Services Manager; the AUS student volunteers; and representative and students from the center.

"The Hand in Hand project is very popular among our students. Our volunteers help renovate houses and centers such as these to serve the community. I'm proud of our students and thankful to them for their excellent work," said Dr. Al Shehhi. "Hand in Hand is one of many projects undertaken by our Community Services division and helps in promoting relations with the community. We did this particular project in conjunction with Tamkeen," she added.

According to student volunteer Rihab Badshah, "We completed this project in just seven days and we had different volunteers work different shifts. Our main tasks were to paint the walls and remove all the old carpeting and clean the windows."

This was the fourth renovation organized as part of the Hand in Hand project. The volunteers will be awarded certificates for as a mark of appreciation.