While Covid-19 has been devastating, it has sparked an incredible sense of community in some places. People around the world have come together to help each other out in this time of need, and the UAE is no exception The sense of charity is particularly heightened during Ramadan, and one clever fundraising initiative called Create Nations has seen 20 regional designers craft a series of T-shirts to help raise money for the Red Crescent. The brainchild of Dubai PR Briar Prestidge, the idea is very simple. Twenty of the leading artists in the UAE have each created a T-shirt with a black and white outlined design. They are sold with a set of non-toxic paints, so the wearer is then free to colour in the top as they wish. They're then encouraged to upload their interpretation onto social media. With sizes for children, men and women, the whole family can get involved. Prices start at Dh190 for the children's sizes, and all proceeds go to Emirates Red Crescent to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for front line healthcare workers. Artists include Fatima Mulla, who created a simple design called 'Stay Home’, while Naki Mustafa penned a cartoonish design called ‘Not All Heroes Wear Capes’. Mariya Li took a more serious tone with her work called 'Pandemic’, while Amamoda opted for a design entitled ‘Quarantine Fashion’ In a statement about the project, Prestidge said, “as we stay home for the greater good, we remember the medical professionals who are working tirelessly to keep us safe. There is a desperate shortage of personal protective equipment for health workers. We are donating 100% of the proceeds from CreateNations to Emirates Red Crescent to go to health workers fighting this Covid-19 pandemic.” “Thank you to our talented UAE artist community who rallied together, quickly and enthusiastically, to contribute to this cause. The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly changed life as we know it. "Many people feel anxious. We hope that by painting these Art Shirts and getting creative, families can create some happy and fun memories together during their quarantine, while contributing towards a good cause.” The initiative had has the full backing of the Department of Islamic Affairs, and T-shirts can be bought at www.CreateNations.com
