Yango Ride funded Umrah trips for seven UAE partner drivers and paid a full academic year of school fees for two drivers’ children. The Driver’s Dream Project supports personal goals beyond work.
DUBAI: Seven UAE-based drivers have fulfilled a long-held wish to perform Umrah after Yango Ride funded their journeys to Saudi Arabia. The initiative also paid a full academic year of school fees for the children of two partner drivers, offering support that extends beyond the road.
The drivers travelled in September 2026 through the company’s Driver’s Dream Project, which invites drivers to share personal goals. Their experiences have now brought attention to the ambitions and family responsibilities of people working in the UAE’s ride-hailing sector.
A pilgrimage delayed by family responsibilities
For Abdul Rauf Butt, a 58-year-old Pakistani driver who has lived and worked in the UAE for 20 years, supporting his children’s education came before another pilgrimage. Although he had previously performed Umrah while living in Pakistan, this was his first journey from the Emirates, according to an account published on October 25.
Another participant, 24-year-old Muhammad Usman, had hoped to make the pilgrimage since arriving in the UAE. Work commitments had delayed his plans. For him and another driver, Khyam, 42, the company-funded journey marked their first Umrah.
One driver had long imagined visiting Mecca and Medina after seeing photographs and videos shared by relatives in Saudi Arabia. Having completed the pilgrimage, he now hopes to return with his mother.
Nizam Ullah, another participating partner driver, described the experience simply: “This trip is my dream. Now it’s become a reality.”
How drivers can share their dreams
Through a “My Dreams” feature in the driver application, partner drivers can submit personal wishes for consideration. Passengers can also leave tips through the app to help drivers work towards their goals.
Beyond the seven pilgrimages, Yango Ride covered tuition fees for a full academic year for two drivers’ children. Their families also received school supplies and gifts, reducing some immediate education-related expenses.
Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group Middle East, said the programme sought to recognise drivers as people with aspirations and families beyond their working hours. The company said listening to drivers helps it identify support that matters to them.
Earlier in 2026, Yango Ride also introduced “Voices From Home”, arranging recorded messages from family members to be played to participating drivers during their working day. The initiative aimed to create moments of connection for people living away from loved ones.
Impact to expect
The Driver’s Dream Project puts a human face on the UAE’s ride-hailing industry, highlighting the financial and emotional priorities drivers manage alongside work. While the reported benefits reached a limited number of families, the initiative shows how companies can provide practical, individual support, from education expenses to meaningful personal journeys.
