Every new year, we make resolutions to improve ourselves, and our appearance, or achieve long-held goals. However, most of us struggle to follow through with these resolutions, year after year.

The truth is, you can set goals at any time of the year and succeed as long as you have determination.

Speaking of positive changes and personal growth, there are communities and individuals who have been making a real difference in the lives of others, bringing happiness day after day.

To kick off the new year, let’s recognise and support a few of these exceptional individuals, communities, and organisations that are dedicated to creating happiness in people’s lives throughout the year.

You can make a difference too by contributing to the following groups mentioned below, helping someone fulfil their resolutions this year.

As a token of gratitude, I have created a downloadable 2017 calendar for you.

Let’s make every year a better place for ourselves and those around us.

HAPPY 2017!

Operation Smile: Changing Lives with Free Surgeries

Approximately 1 in 700 children worldwide are born with cleft lip, cleft palate, or both, making it difficult for them to eat, speak, and smile. Operation Smile, through donations and volunteers, provides free surgeries globally to help children with these facial deformities.

Join Operation Smile by donating or volunteering and bringing smiles to the faces of many children.

Middle East Animal Foundation: Caring for Our Four-Legged Friends

Middle East Animal Foundation is a government-registered non-profit organisation dedicated to animal welfare. They collaborate with authorities and organisations to raise awareness, combat animal abuse, and stop the illegal trade of rare and exotic animals.

They have organised numerous adoption days, finding loving homes for countless cats and dogs in the UAE.

Play an active role in animal well-being by contacting MEAF and making the coming year a better place for our furry friends.

Make A Wish UAE: Granting Wishes and Spreading Joy

Make-A-Wish is a global organisation that brings hope and strength to children with life-threatening illnesses by fulfilling their most cherished wishes. This small gesture allows children and their families to forget their problems temporarily and face life’s obstacles with renewed determination.

To get involved and enrich the lives of these children, donate or volunteer through the contact information provided on their page.

Dubai Mums Helping Hands: Making a Difference Together

Dubai Mums Helping Hands is a small Facebook group of compassionate individuals dedicated to improving people’s lives, particularly within the labour community. They don’t accept financial donations but rely on the resources they receive.

If you’d like to volunteer or donate goods to enrich the lives of those who work hard to make your life comfortable, reach out to them on the Facebook group