Dubai, UAE, June 3, 2018:  Throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, Melltoo, a peer to peer online marketplace that sells your used and unwanted items has collaborated with Volkswagen Middle East to create an initiative called #Drive4ACause. This initiative will pave the way for the community to get involved by giving away their unwanted consumer electronics. Proceeds from the sales of donated electronics will be matched by Volkswagen and donated to Salma Aid, a Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid initiative that provides food relief for refugees and humanitarian crises globally.

 

As an online peer2peer tech start-up in Dubai, Melltoo helps customers in the UAE sell their used items without the hassle of meeting strangers. Simply list, a smartphone, laptop, bicycle, or preloved fashion item for sale, and Melltoo will find a buyer for you, pick and deliver the item and get you paid. Sell your stuff from the comfort of your home without having to deal with strangers. 

 

The initiative will take place during the last ten days of Ramadan, June 3rd until June 14th, in nine locations across the Emirate of Dubai. A group of local university student volunteers, driven by Volkswagen, will be visiting these communities to collect used electronics and to further raise awareness to community members. The local community will be welcomed to donate their unwanted electronics, such as mobile devices, laptops, tablets, game consoles, cameras, accessories and others, to help provide food to refugee families in need.  

 

Morrad Irsane, CEO of Melltoo, said: “The objective of this campaign is to get the community involved in donating their unwanted electronics and putting them towards a good cause. The average UAE household has 5,000 AED worth of unwanted and forgotten electronics. Just imagine, a household of four each upgrading to a new smartphone every year, so we hope this will prompt people to declutter their homes while helping us to raise funds for refugees who don’t have homes. We are thrilled that Volkswagen has chosen to support us in this effort and even to match the amount of funds raised. Look out for the green Volkswagen Tiguan in selected areas across Dubai!”

 

Unwanted consumer electronics such as phones and laptops will be collected by Melltoo volunteers who will clear all data and personal information, before selling these onto new buyers through the Melltoo App. 50% of the total proceeds raised, plus the amount matched by Volkswagen, will go to Salma Aid to feed refugees. Each refugee meal costs AED 10, therefore the funds can save many lives and support refugees across the region.