Pamela Abdalla, founder of several charity initiatives, shares her life's passions with Jemma Nicholls. Lee Hoagland / The National

The last thing I bought and loved was a gorgeous, reversible Hermès belt from Istanbul. Lee Hoagland / The National

I regularly practise yoga at the Hiltonia. It energises and strengthens my body. Getty Images / Gallo Images

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a wonderful sight at dusk. Silvia Razgova / The National

I adore this picture my daughter printed onto canvas for my birthday this year. Lee Hoagland / The National

My favourite era of fashion is the "Jackie O" years. Her classic, simple style is timeless. Getty Images / Gallo Images

An unforgettable place I've travelled to in the past year is Istanbul. It's a magnificent city, too large and complex to be explored in a few days. AP Photo

Chanel, St John's and Chloé are some of my favourite designers. I have hinted to my husband that I'd love a St John's knit suit. Getty Images / Gallo Images

My guiltiest pleasure is sneaking off to the beach for an hour in the middle of the day. Lauren Lancaster / The National

I adore Balenciaga cream and any kind of great bath salts. Lee Hoagland / The National

The celebrity I most admire is Oprah Winfrey as she has lived out her dream with magnificent grace and boundless generosity. AP Photo

Love in White is a beautiful perfume. It reminds me of my mother: sweet, sophisticated and a little sassy. Lee Hoagland / The National

My best ever trip was a safari adventure in South Africa followed by a visit to Stellenbosch. There's a fantastic restaurant, Moyo, where you can eat in the treetops on lighted platforms. Getty Images / Gallo Images

I love simply cut dresses such as an elegant black turtleneck dress by Worth I purchased more than 10 years ago and still wear regularly. Lee Hoagland / The National

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese is a truly inspirational read, intertwining continents, cultures and family. Courtesy Random House Group

Style File: Pamela Abdalla

Jemma Nicholls

Bursting with energy, Pamela Abdalla is not one for sitting still. A glamorous mother of three and founder of several charity initiatives, the former lawyer and family court hearing judge has a passion for helping those less fortunate. From Pittsburgh in the US, Abdalla and her family have been living in Abu Dhabi for the past three years and have spearheaded many worthy projects in the UAE. "This community is a magnificent place to practise volunteerism as both locals and expats are phenomenally generous with their time, talents and treasures," says Abdalla. Working with local partners, her list of initiatives is inspiring: funding to assist in repatriations of domestic workers sheltered at the Filipino Resource Center safe house; Divine Desserts and Heavenly Handbags silent auction of designer handbags, which has become an annual date in every fashionista's diary; labour camp "bag drops" to provide labourers with necessary items; Worker Bus Raids, a fun event where students from local high schools, colleges and universities put together treat bags for workers and then surprise them with the goodies as they load up on buses outside the construction sites.

Her next charity initiative, the Festive Holiday labour camp party, is on December 9 at West Coast Ladies Labour Camp. Abdalla talks to Jemma Nicholls about her life and inspirations.

PAMELA'S WORLD

THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN... is from my parents, who constantly imbued in me the knowledge that if I work hard enough, I can do absolutely anything. MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR IS... my gorgeous three children - Alexandria, 16, Omar, 13, and Gabby, 5. WHAT DRIVES ME IS... the inspiration of working with those whom I try to help and the inspiration of collaborating with others on projects. FIVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE ME... optimistic, hard-working, persistent, caring, energetic. MY HEROES IN REAL LIFE ARE... the labourers who spend years here away from their families - they give up so much, work so hard and remain unembittered - they are always grateful for the smallest of kindnesses.