Kuwaiti airlift delivers 40 tons of food, shelter aid to Syria

  The fourth humanitarian airlift flight from Kuwait arrived at Damascus International Airport on Wednesday, carrying 40 tons of food and shelter aid as part of the ongoing Kuwait airbridge campaign. The mission is aimed at assisting the most vulnerable groups in Syria under the humanitarian initiative “Kuwait By Your Side,” organized by the Al-Salam Charitable and Humanitarian Society, in coordination with Kuwait’s Ministries of Social Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Defense, with the support of the Kuwait Air Force.

Dina Salameh, spokesperson for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that Kuwait is in continuous contact with the Syrian Red Crescent to assess essential needs and expedite deliveries. The assistance is immediately distributed to the most vulnerable families, including those caring for the disabled, people suffering from chronic illnesses, and those unable to support themselves due to extreme poverty and harsh living conditions.

The aid has been distributed in various regions, including Daraa, Lattakia, and Homs, where the humanitarian situation remains dire due to consecutive crises. Salama praised the efforts of the Kuwaiti authorities and charitable organizations for their ongoing humanitarian work, emphasizing that this reflects the true spirit of the Kuwaiti people. — KUNA

Namaa Charity brings hope to Gaza with winter aid, tarpaulins

  Kuwait’s Namaa Charity is carrying out a campaign to support needy families and children in Gaza, in collaboration with its field partner, the Palestine Al-Ghad Society for Community Development. Walid Al-Bassam, Head of Projects and Development at the charity, said Namaa is distributing clothing packages to over 115 children. The packages included winter clothing and essential items for children and newborns. Additionally, blankets and mats were distributed to 55 families, and 68 tarpaulin sheets were installed to protect 34 tents from rain.

He said the campaign is a continuation of Namaa Charity’s efforts to support people in Gaza, who are facing dire humanitarian conditions due to the Zionist attack and siege and harsh cold weather. He added that distributing clothing packages for children and essentials for newborns reflects the charity’s “commitment to upholding the dignity of families and supporting children, who represent the most vulnerable group in these circumstances.”

Chairperson of Palestine Al-Ghad Society for Community Development, Manal Seyam, said the campaign “comes at a critical time, as the people of Gaza face daily challenges in securing their basic needs.” She added that distributing clothing packages to children “has brought smiles to their faces and given them a sense of warmth in these harsh conditions,” pointing to the importance of the tarpaulin installation.

Seyam explained that installing 68 tarpaulin sheets for the displaced families’ tents was a vital step to protect them from rain and strong winds, especially as many tents were damaged due to the weather conditions. She noted that the goal of the aid is to meet material needs and strengthen the resilience of the affected families, protecting them from diseases caused by the cold and humidity. — KUNA

Kuwait Religious Education Administration Holds the First Forum for the Reading Challenge Competition in Its Ninth Season

Under the patronage of the Religious Education Supervisor, Mr. Mishal Al-Jutaili, the technical guidance for libraries and the technical guidance for the Arabic language presented the first forum for the Reading Challenge Competition, which is the largest Arab educational project aimed at promoting and enhancing the culture of reading in Arabic.

In their speeches, the trainers Mr. Abdul Fattah Yasin, Arabic Language Supervisor, Ms. Azhar Al-Azmi, Library Supervisor, and Mr. Ghiyath Ahmed, a teacher from Al-Sulaibiya Religious Institute, addressed the main challenges and ways to overcome them, the elements of strength, and how to benefit from them.

The forum concluded with a speech from the Religious Education Supervisor, Mr. Mishal Al-Jutaili, in which he praised everyone's efforts and highlighted the ambitions that the team will achieve, God willing, in spreading the culture of awareness of the role of reading in inspiring thought and creating an aware and cultured generation.

 Inauguration of "Uncle Abdullah Al-Mutawwa’s Mosque in the Reform Institutions Sector

As part of the cooperation between the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior and the "Nama Charity" affiliated with the Society for Social Reform, the "Uncle Abdullah Ali Al-Mutawwa Mosque, May God Have Mercy on Him" was inaugurated inside the central prison. The mosque aims to provide a spiritual environment that contributes to enhancing religious and moral values, reflecting the commitment of the Ministry of Interior and "Nama Charity" to support reform and development projects.

The mosque occupies an area of 128 square meters and was completed in just 45 days! This project is a continuation of previous reform initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with "Nama Charity" to enhance the work environment in accordance with humanitarian and religious values, including the "Family House" and the "Educational School for Prisoners".

Colonel Osama Majid Abdulaziz, Assistant Director General of the Reform Institutions Sector, stated, “Today we inaugurate the 'Uncle Abdullah Al-Mutawwa Mosque, May God Have Mercy on Him' in the Reform Institutions Sector, to be a symbol reflecting our commitment to provide a spiritual environment for those working in this sector. This project embodies the effective partnership between state institutions and charitable associations and represents the spirit of integration that characterizes community work in Kuwait."

 "Balad al-Khair" Launches the "Water Outpouring Fund" Project in Cooperation with the General Secretariat of Awqaf

Balad al-Khair launched the "Water Outpouring Fund" project, which aims to provide clean water in many areas within the State of Kuwait, in cooperation with the General Secretariat of Awqaf.

The past period has witnessed cooperation between the association and the Awqaf Authority to implement several charitable projects within the State of Kuwait.

Othman Al-Thuwaini, Director of the Good Country Association, affirmed that the "Water Outpouring Fund" project is one of the forms of fruitful cooperation with the General Secretariat of Awqaf, through which 442,500 water bottles were provided and distributed in various areas within Kuwait benefiting the underprivileged workers, mosque visitors, hospitals, and others.

He added that the "Water Outpouring Fund" project provided 22,125 water cans at a total cost of 9,956 Kuwaiti Dinars.

Al-Thuwaini noted that the Al-Balad Al-Khayr Association had contracted with Al-Roumah General Trading and Contracting Company (Al Ain Water). A delegation representing the General Secretariat of Awqaf visited the water production factory, and the implementation of the water distribution plan began in areas under the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Awqaf, the Municipality of Kuwait, public places, and the new residential and labor areas under construction.

The Director of Al-Balad Al-Khayr Association highlighted that thousands of beneficiaries have received clean water, especially in areas where water is not readily available nearby. Al-Thuwaini continued that water provision projects are among the most important charitable projects that the association seeks to implement due to the pressing need for water and that people cannot do without it at any time. Providing water is among the best acts of charity and the best forms of almsgiving.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The best charity is to provide water" (Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Al-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah). The Director of Al-Balad Al-Khayr Association concluded by affirming that the upcoming period will witness more efforts as everyone remains committed to lending a helping hand to those in need and making further efforts to improve the lives of beneficiaries in Kuwait.

Graduation of 400 Pakistani Youth in a Technology Program Funded by the Charity Authority

With funding from the International Islamic Charitable Organization, a celebration was held in Pakistan for the graduation of 400 young men and women in the program “Empowering Youth through Technology-Driven Skills,” aimed at helping them meet the demands of life through honorable work and lawful earnings and contributing to community development in cooperation with the Pakistan Islamic Relief Organization.

The project aimed to enhance technology-based skills among the most disadvantaged youth in the Gujarat and Vehari regions of Punjab through three training courses: the first focused on game development (3D Unity), modern graphic design (integrating user interface and user experience techniques with artificial intelligence), and a “Shopify” course for developing local brands (e-commerce).

As a result of the project, youth were equipped with technological skills that align with market requirements and emerging trends, in addition to improving the job readiness and employability of the training participants through the enhancement of skills and communication. Trainees acquired skills for immediate income generation and gained experience in creating business profiles, providing services online, and networking in the local market. The project opens doors for marginalized youth in rural areas, enabling them to earn a living from home and enhance their income-generating prospects.

The project contributes to empowering girls, constituting 60% of the direct beneficiaries, by training them in the most in-demand skills currently, which will lead to immediate income generation. The program witnessed the provision of training courses on the International Islamic Charitable Organization, the international humanitarian program, and the Bank for International Settlements to ensure comprehensive understanding.

The Nama Charity Village, established by the Kuwaiti Nama Charity Association in the Kési region of central Côte d'Ivoire, is a comprehensive model for achieving sustainable development. It provides housing for the poor, a school, a mosque, and a water well, contributing to meeting the basic educational, religious, health, and economic needs of the local community.

This developmental project reflects the association's commitment to enhancing the dignified life of the most vulnerable groups and establishing a sustainable living environment that enables them to achieve stability and engage in improving their quality of life.

 Houses for the Poor: A Dignified and Inclusive Life

The houses in the Nama Charity Village serve as a radical solution for the residents of the area, who were previously living in makeshift huts that lacked the simplest elements of human life. These houses have helped reunite families, as some were living in scattered locations due to the lack of suitable housing.

The new homes are not just shelters; they represent an opportunity for low-income families to live with dignity, safety, and stability, away from the struggles of homelessness. These homes were designed in collaboration with certified engineering offices to ensure a strong, safe infrastructure that considers the area's characteristics and meets the basic needs of residents, thus preserving their human dignity.

Education as the Gateway to the Future

Education is the cornerstone of building sustainable communities. Therefore, the Nama Association made it a priority to establish a school in the heart of the village. The school provides an opportunity for children from needy families to receive basic education, contributing to the development of a generation capable of achieving personal and community advancement. The school also provides a learning environment that encompasses various educational levels, opening new horizons for children to learn and develop skills, enhancing their opportunities for the future. Education is a fundamental aspect of sustainable development, as it helps break the cycle of poverty and creates better economic opportunities for future generations.

The Spirit of the Community and a Gathering Point

The mosque in the Nama Village is not merely a place of worship; it is also a center that unites community members, fostering social ties among the village residents. It enables them to perform communal worship, reinforces values of cooperation and peace, and provides a space for exchanging news and offering social support among community members. The mosque enhances spirituality and harmony in the village, reflecting the importance of the religious aspect in the lives of its inhabitants and contributing to creating an integrated and interconnected community based on Islamic values that encourage cooperation and support.

The Water Well: Sustainable Life and Health

One of the main challenges facing the residents of Kési and Côte d'Ivoire in general is the scarcity of clean water, which is essential for public health. Therefore, a well was dug in the Nama Village to provide clean drinking water, helping to reduce the spread of diseases linked to contaminated water and alleviating the burden of traveling to distant areas to fetch water. The water well is a source of life for the village residents, contributing to enhancing their health and stability. It is a vital factor in improving the quality of daily life and achieving sustainability in providing one of the most essential resources.

The Importance of Namah Village: A Model for Sustainable Development

Namah Charitable Village in Côte d'Ivoire represents a model of sustainable humanitarian work, where the association's efforts focus on comprehensively meeting the needs of the village's inhabitants, enhancing their ability to be self-reliant, and achieving their human dignity. The association aims to improve the quality of life in Kessy by providing integrated solutions that include education, health, water, and housing; contributing to the stability of families and providing a nurturing environment for children that allows them to grow and learn away from the burdens of harsh life. 

Supporting Comprehensive Development in Côte d'Ivoire

The Namah Village project in Côte d'Ivoire aligns with the strategic vision of the Namah Charitable Association, which focuses on developing impoverished communities through sustainable programs that establish a strong infrastructure contributing to the stability of living conditions. The project also contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for Côte d'Ivoire by providing opportunities for education, health, and housing, which reduces poverty and enhances prosperity. Additionally, the association is keen on employing local labor in construction projects, supporting the local economy, creating new job opportunities, and benefiting the residents of the village and the surrounding area. 

The Success of the Project: A Triad of Mission, Need, and Support

The success of the Namah Charitable Village project is based on three essential elements: mission, need, and support. The project's mission is clear in its aim to build a community that is more dignified and empowered, responding to the genuine needs of poor families, alongside the generous support from Kuwaiti donors, who believe in the importance of the project and its humanitarian message. This success demonstrates that charitable projects can be more than just providing immediate assistance; they can achieve sustainable impact by improving living conditions and providing a suitable environment for growth and development. 

Namah Charitable Village in Côte d'Ivoire is one of the pioneering projects that reflect a comprehensive vision of Kuwaiti charitable work; it is not merely a residential village but an inclusive community that provides people with their most basic rights to live in dignity. The village highlights the importance of international cooperation and solidarity among peoples, offering a lesson on how to build communities based on humanity and inclusiveness. It proves that charitable work can bring about real change in the lives of those in need, enhancing their stability and establishing a strong foundation for a sustainable future.

In a step that embodies Kuwait's leading role in supporting global human development, Namaa Charity, affiliated with the Society of Social Reform, inaugurated the "Late Shaha Abdulrazak Al-Obeid Village" in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. This village includes several facilities that meet the basic needs of the local population, including the establishment of a school, 50 homes for the poor, a clinic, a mosque, and an artesian well. The inauguration was held under the patronage of the National Assembly President, Adama Bictogo, and chaired by the High Representative of the President of the Republic, Gilbert Kafana Kone, with the support of the Minister of State and Minister of Defense, Tini Berahima Ouattara. This activity is part of the social policy aimed at improving the living conditions of the population. The opening ceremony was attended by Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim, Deputy Head of the Communication Sector at Al-Namaa Charity, and Khalid Mubarak Al-Shammari, Director of the Relief Department.

Al-Ibrahim stated that the residential houses represent a new life for families living in harsh conditions. He emphasized that the Late Shahh Abdulrazak Al-Obeid residential village established by Al-Namaa Charity is one of the pioneering humanitarian initiatives aimed at providing a comprehensive environment for the most needy groups. This village contributes to improving the lives of needy families by providing housing, healthcare, education, and social and religious support, reflecting Kuwait's commitment to its global humanitarian role.

Al-Ibrahim clarified that the residential houses are not just shelters; they represent a new life for families that were living in tough conditions, allowing them to live with dignity and alleviating their daily burdens. He also highlighted the importance of the medical clinic located in the village, which addresses a pressing need for the local residents, receiving about 1,000 patients each month and providing basic medical services such as examination rooms, a delivery room, an emergency room, and a pharmacy. This clinic is considered a qualitative leap in improving the overall health of the population and alleviating their suffering.

He continued discussing the school, which spans an area of 780 m² and accommodates 280 students. He stated, "The school is not merely an educational building; it is a window of hope and an opportunity for educating children and youth living in remote areas, helping them build a better future and improve their living conditions." The school includes eight classrooms, multipurpose rooms such as a library, an activities room, a cafeteria, and rooms for teachers and administrators, providing a comprehensive educational environment that helps elevate the academic achievement of the students.

Al-Shammari: The village is a comprehensive model for achieving sustainable development.

Ibrahim highlighted the importance of the water well that was established at a depth of 100 meters to serve 5,000 individuals, explaining that it represents a source of life and health for the villagers, providing them with clean drinking water and reducing the effort exerted to fetch water from distant areas.

He added that the mosque, which spans an area of 200 square meters and accommodates 400 worshippers, is a place for worship and social interaction among the residents, strengthening their spiritual and social ties, promoting harmony, and enhancing values of cooperation and peace.

For his part, Khaled Mubarak Al-Shammari, Director of the Relief Department at Namaa Charity, stated that the village of the late Shahe Abdul Razak Al-Obaid in Ivory Coast represents a comprehensive model for achieving sustainable development, as it provides housing for the poor, health and educational services, and a source of clean water, which contributes to improving the living conditions of the local community and enhances their capacity for stability and economic growth.

He affirmed that the project aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by providing opportunities for education, health, and housing, contributing to poverty reduction and enhancing the quality of life.

Al-Shammari also pointed out that the project reflects Namaa Charity's commitment to creating a strong infrastructure that contributes to stabilizing living conditions, adding that the association is keen to employ local labor in construction projects, which supports the local economy and creates new job opportunities, benefiting the village's residents and the surrounding area.

Al-Shammari concluded his statement by emphasizing the importance of community partnership and the generous support from honorable donors, saying: "The village of the late Shahe Abdul Razak Al-Obaid embodies the ideal model of humanitarian cooperation and charitable work, and we look forward to more projects that serve needy communities and provide them with a dignified life and a sustainable future."