Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha’s CSR Efforts in Reuniting Mother with Son after 20 Years

“Holiday Inn Dubai – Loves You”, an arm of Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scaled new heights on April 16, 2015, as the hotel played host to a mother-son reunion – of a terminally ill mother who had not seen her son , since he was less than three years, when she left Philippines, some 20years ago.

Hermelinda, a breast cancer patient, pined through her illness with a final wish to see her son Jonathan, who was now a young man, having missed his growing years whilst being in Dubai for two decades.

The mother-son re-union was made possible by the drive of a young RJ Radio Spice 105.4 Maha Bada Breakfast Show. When she got news of the story, Bhairavi did everything possible by putting together Air Brunei, to sponsor the air fare, Cosmos travel for the visa and Holiday inn Dubai – Al Barsha for the hotel stay as well as other luxuries and facilitated the live airing of the re-union in the breakfast show from 7am to 11am.

Emotions of anxiety, apprehension, sadness and pleasure, love and wonderment ran high throughout the meeting and as each surprise unfolded.

Ms. Roxana Jaffer, the CEO of Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha, as she presented the mother and son for pleasure trips to Abu Dhabi, restaurants and a Dhow Cruise, applauded Hermelinda for her relentless courage as she kept fighting the life-threatening disease, never giving up hope of finding her beloved son, knowing that she would not be able to travel to Philippines whilst it not being conducive financially and otherwise to bring Jonathan to Dubai.

She said, “We have carried out several campaigns as part of the ‘Holiday Inn Dubai – Loves You’ series to bring meaningful changes to someone’s life. But this one was quite different as we were trying to help fulfill a breast cancer patient’s final wish, one who was denying herself vital chemotherapy till she saw her son. Our joint efforts with other sponsors made it possible to bring Jonathan over a day before the surprise re-union as he stayed with us secretly. It was an emotional moment when Hermelinda shed tears of joy as she finally saw her son hugging him, unbelieving her fortune. I pray and hope that is emotional burst will give her a new lease of life.”

“I salute, Bhairavi, a young enthusiast with her passion and drive to have made it possible for Hermelinda, Bravo”.

The re-union was sealed with a cake cutting ceremony aptly lit with 20 candles each signifying a year of separation of mother and son.

For more information please visit: www.holidayinn.com or www.hialbarshadubai.com

+971 4 323 4333

Video Links :

Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha and Radio Spice make a dream come true!
Hermelinda loves her Executive Room at Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha!
Hermelinda reunites with Johnathan after 20 years at Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha

About Holiday Inn Dubai –Al Barsha

Set in the heart of New Dubai, Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha is a perfect blend of contemporary design and classic elegance. The hotel has 310 rooms including 54 suites. Each room is equipped with the latest facilities, tastefully decorated to meet every guest’s needs and comfort. Business houses have access to a wide variety of conference venues equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Completing the Holiday Inn experience are the award winning restaurants “The Royal Budha” (Thai), “Gharana” (Indian) and “Xennya Terrace” (Rooftop Terrace) as well as bars, banquet facilities and impeccable service.