Wednesday 8

Do something worthwhile with Friends of Cancer Patients
This charity raises money, organises campaigns and supports people battling cancer. Volunteers are always welcome.
Free. Ongoing. Corniche Road, Sharjah, info@focp.ae (06 506 5542).

World Food Programme’s Ramadan campaign
Throughout Ramadan, all donations to the World Food Programme’s ‘school meals’ scheme in developing countries will be matched by Dubai’s Rotary Club. When you donate Dhs100, once matched, the money will feed a needy child for an entire school year.
Ongoing. www.wfp.org/ramadan.

Thursday 9

Enjoy an iftar feast at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
The centre is running iftars for the public, presenting an opportunity to learn about Ramadan. A visit to the mosque is included, so ladies should bring a headscarf. You can also make private bookings for large groups or corporate visits.
Call ahead to book. Dhs130 per person. From 6.30pm. House 26, Al Mussallah Road, Bastakiya, Bur Dubai, www.cultures.ae (04 353 6666).

Ramadan Care Packages Night 2012
Adopt-a-Camp’s annual care packages night returns, with volunteers needed to assemble boxes for labourers. The boxes are filled with items that will have a long-lasting, substantial impact on the quality of the men’s lives, including towels, pillows, plates, socks, toiletries and more.
Free. 9pm-3am. Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, www.adoptacamp.ae (050 455 3157).

Friday 10

Keep an eye out for dolphins
It may sound unusual, but one way you can do youR bit for the local community is to make a note of any dolphin sightings off the coast of Dubai, recording the date, time, location and approximate number of mammals spotted. If you can manage a photo or video, even better. It will all help dR Ada Natoli, a professor at United Arab Emirates University in her bid to establish a scientific baseline for the local population, and raise public awareness of the species.
Email any findings to uaedolphinproject@gmail.com.

Support a family
The Red Crescent organisation is constantly seeking donations and financial aid for those it supports, including families in the UAE, Palestine, Yemen and beyond. Call or email using the contact details below if you think you can help.
Dhs300-Dhs1,000 per month. info@uaerc.org.ae (800 733).

Saturday 11

HaHaHabibi’s weekly workshop
Learn the art of improvisational comedy at this workshop, conducted by Faris Khalid. Email ahead to confirm attendance, as places are limited.
Free. 5pm-7pm. Ongoing. South Ridge Tower 3, Downtown Dubai, al.improvisers@gmail.com (no number).

Take your recyclables to Emirates Environmental Group’s family day
Every Saturday, the EEG encourages families to visit its headquarters on Jumeirah Beach Road to drop off any recyclable household waste, including plastic, aluminium cans, paper, glass and Tetra paks (aka juice boxes).
Free. Open 8.30am-5.30pm. Villa JMR 68 117A, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1 (between Dubai Zoo and Beach Centre), www.eeg-uae.org (04 344 8622).

Sunday 12

Donate unwanted trainers to Soles for Souls
If you have old sneakers kicking around the house, Soles for Soles is taking donations of clean trainers, which it will pass on to the UAE’s labourers.
Sun-Thu 9am-6pm. Ongoing. Drop-off point: Fortune Promoseven, Office 449, Emarat Atrium, Sheikh Zayed Road. Call Arun (050 457 6873).

Learn Arabic for less during Ramadan
The Arabic Language Centre is offering a discounted adult beginners’ course, which runs Sunday to Wednesday.
Dhs1,700. Classes 9.30am-11.30am, noon-2pm or 4pm-6pm. Until August 14. Arabic Language Centre, Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Rashid Tower, www.arabiclanguagecentre.com (04 331 5600).

Monday 13

Special deals at Sega Republic
This indoor theme park houses five themed zones across 7,060 sq m, with nine main rides and attractions and more than 250 arcade games. Throughout Ramadan, visitors will be able to take advantage of lower rates.
Dhs200 for 25 games, Dhs300 for 50 games. Until the end of Ramadan. Open daily 11am-1am. Sega Republic, The Dubai Mall, www.segarepublic.com (04 448 8484).

Charity iftar boxes
For companies or individuals looking to make a large gesture this Ramadan, the Hyatt Regency is putting together iftar Sa’em boxes from Emirati kitchen Laylati that can be handed out at mosques or to the needy for breaking their fast.
Dhs20-25 per box. Hyatt Regency, Deira, events.hyattregencydubai@hyatt.com (04 209 6990).

Tuesday 14

Support the UAE Red Crescent Society at Dubai Outlet Mall
Throughout Ramadan, donate clothes, books, computers, stationery, medicine and more for the Red Crescent, or make a cash donation to support Dubai Cares and Dar Al Ber Society in its work to educate needy children. Donation drop boxes are positioned around the mall.
Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Until August 14. Dubai Outlet Mall, Al Ain Road (04 423 4666).