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Host Courtney Brandt wraps up season three with producer Chirag Desai.

_Our thoughts go out to the passengers and families of the repatriation flight IX1344 that crashed off the runway in Kerala, leaving 18 dead and several others injured._ On our season finale this week, we're speaking to David Tusing who started working with various underprevileged groups in the community to help them get on a flight back home to their families. David is the perfect example of the question we ask of ourselves and of you, our listeners: how can we use our platforms to help others?

This week, we're joined by Vahid Fotuhi, Chief Camper of Fathers and Kids Camping, which is celebrating their tenth year. They have designed and implemented events that involve camping weekends in various locations across the Arabian Gulf. Select members of the group have also traveled to other countries for service-oriented projects, like Mothers Without Borders, [featured in season 2](https://amaeya.media/csrofone/e/mothers-without-borders-with-dominica-drazal-37b4701a7dab94/). Tune in to learn more about the member-driven & non-profit initiative geared towards encouraging children to experience the outdoors, push their boundaries, build friendships, and cultivate a closer bond with their fathers.

With many people affected by the lockdowns due to the worldwide pandemic, not knowing where the next meal will come is especially stressful. Enter Frying Pan Adventures, whose Stay-home Gift-a-Meal initiative has been getting wholesome meals from local community restaurants to neighbours who have lost their income during the COVID-19 crisis.

Meet Christine Wilson, a Dubai resident who has spent her self-isolation period building a business with the help of YouTube and a sewing machine to create unique limited edition & handmade accessories using recycled & sustainable materials. So, what exactly does she make? Well, if you’re a current or former UAE resident, you might instantly recognize her designs. Christine has managed to incorporate something that’s been a UAE staple since the 60s - she’s found a way to upcycle the humble Spinneys bag! Hear how the satisfaction of upcycling that which would otherwise go to waste has been immeasurable during this time of lockdown, and how you could help her out.

The discussion around the support of mental health in the Middle East is an ongoing one, and one we feel deserves continued attention, much like our previous seasons. The key element of course in discussing mental health is having a secure environment where people are comfortable talking about it. Today’s guest, Dani Hakim, and her co-founders at Safe Space DXB were frustrated with the lack of free resources and support, and felt there was a need for change.

We sat down with Zainab Al Sawalhi to discuss an idea that made us think, ‘Now, why didn’t I start this?’ The [Picture Happiness Project](https://instagram.com/picturehappinessofficial) works to spread a message of compassion and inspire kindness. This Dubai-based movement is a simple, but generous way to anonymously make someone’s day by writing a note. **Credits** Hosted by Courtney Brandt. Produced by Chirag Desai, with support from Abhishek Venkat.

The world has changed dramatically in the past few months, and its impacts are felt by everyone in all walks of life. Enter Heather Harries, her husband, and their three children. Together, they launched Stop and Help that has grown into a team of 50 volunteers, and had managed to match close to 3,000 families across the Emirates with people who can provide support.

Welcome to Season 3!  We began recording this season in the weeks leading up to the global pandemic and our ask was the same as previous seasons—what can we do with our personal platforms to make a difference, and what are we using social media for, outside of liking photos? And we found ourselves emerging from the pandemic with some true heroes.  Thrift for Good is a social enterprise born from the vision of a world with zero waste where everyone has what they need to thrive. It exists to fuel meaningful projects by reselling donated items. Jennifer Sault joins us this week to tell us what it takes to launch something from scratch and how Thrift for Good combats fast fashion. If you see her darting across Sheikh Zayed Road, please make sure you smile & wave!  Remember to be nice out there on social media—and share one post a month for someone else. See you next week!

We're recapping our takeaways from Season 2 on this special episode. Thank you for joining us this season and we'll be back with Season 3 real soon!

Everyone could use some help, from the biggest societies to the smallest creatures. On our season finale, we're joined by Varsha Pherwani who volunteers with the Beekeepers Association and how they work to preserve the bees.

All parents, from all backgrounds value the power of education. But what happens when specialized help isn't available? This is why it's so important for us to highlight the work with the Hope Foundation, or the Al Noor Training Centre, which we've covered last season. On today's episode we learn about the Integreat Center, a specialty school focused on helping young adults with special needs, and one of their volunteers, Husseinali Fateh Nejad and how he got involved with them.

Home to over 60 UAE artists and more than 400 artworks, Artezaar is an indepedent platform helping support local artists by helping connect them with potential buyers. Join us as we talk to Leena & Teena, its founders.

This week, we're speaking with Liz Beneski about her work with the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi for the last couple of years. Find out more about you can help.

Stray animals in the UAE need a lot of help. This week, we talk to Heetal Bhatia who has been rescuing animals for over 15 years, and her work with SNIFF, a local group dedicated to helping find foster and forever homes for rescues. Heetal is also co-host of the podcast, The Two Vegans, a sister show on the Amaeya Media Network.

Sometimes, all you need is a great idea that you just run with, and Zimmy Khan had one such idea. If you take one thing away from today's episode (outside of how you could help Zimmy), let it be that you decide today to take that idea you've just been sitting on and go execute it. Listen in to hear all about how the Love Academy got started.

Dominica's run in with Mothers without Borders was entirely serendipitous. And in 2019, her family—along with a number of families and their kids—flew down to Zambia to help build an expansion that will increase a local school's capacity by 150 kids. Find out how you can get involved.

Welcome to Season 2! Boomerang Bags comprises a group of volunteers recycling waste fabric--clothes, sheets, curtains--into reusable cloth bags to help combat waste and the use of single-use plastic bags. On this episode, we chat with Lisa Petersson & Masha Ruig about how they got involved. We'd love to hear what you think. Give us a shout on Instagram, Twitter or write to us.

A special crossover episode with a sister podcast from the Amaeya Media Network, Forward Talks by Goumbook. Host of the show Tatiana Antonelli joins us to talk about why they started the region's first podcast on sustainability, and the impact our shows have seen so far. Forward Talks is available in your favourite player, you can visit the show website for links.  And stay tuned, we're back with a new season starting next monday, Sept 2!

A special episode where we review our first season and give you some info on what’s next! We also wanted to say thank you to everyone for being a part of our journey and coming out to our first #enoughAboutMe event.  CreditsHosted by Courtney Brandt, produced by Chirag Desai. With support from Abhishek Venkatasubramanian.