The history of Kuwait has witnessed distinctive phases and important stations in the journey of volunteer work, embodying the depth of the culture of giving and solidarity that has become an integral part of its identity.

Since its early beginnings, Kuwait has established values of cooperation and support under the concept of "Fazaa" which united the society in helping the needy and assisting the afflicted, and gradually this concept evolved to include individual and collective initiatives, leading to the establishment of voluntary institutions and associations serving various aspects of life.

This prestigious history highlights 10 key stations that have shaped the contours of volunteer work in Kuwait, contributing to strengthening its role as a leading country in supporting local and international communities and solidifying charity work as an authentic human value.

1- Early beginnings of the idea of volunteering:

Volunteer work in Kuwait began around 4 centuries ago, coinciding with the establishment of the state in 1613, where "Fazaa" was an authentic principle of cooperation and helping others, including lending a helping hand to neighboring tribes and supporting countries affected by disasters.

2- Individual stage of volunteering:

Kuwait was characterized in its early days by individual volunteer work, where rulers, scholars, and merchants contributed to building the community and providing assistance to the needy, such as building mosques and schools and supporting the weak, and this spirit has continued to this day.

3- Collective volunteer efforts:

Volunteer work in Kuwait evolved to a stage of "Fazaa", where community members came together to carry out collective non-institutional volunteer work, such as rescuing ships, extinguishing fires, and building walls, and the idea of "volunteer teams" emerged in a primitive form during this period.

4- Early institutionalized volunteer work:

The establishment of voluntary institutions in Kuwait began with the establishment of the Al-Mubarak School in 1911 as an educational volunteer institution, followed by the establishment of the Arab Charitable Society in 1913 to provide social and health services to the community.

5- Expansion in education and cultural institutions:

Several cultural voluntary institutions were established in the early twentieth century, such as the Al-Ahmedia School in 1921, the National Library and the Literary Club in 1924, and these institutions contributed to spreading culture and education and enhancing social awareness.

6- Regional and international cooperation:

In the thirties, the people of Kuwait began collecting donations to support Arab peoples affected, such as Palestine and Iraq, which enhanced Kuwait's reputation as a supporter of regional and international humanitarian aid.

7- Spread of clubs and voluntary associations:

In the fifties, sports, cultural clubs, and popular associations spread with government support, with their number reaching more than 20 clubs, under the sponsorship of the Department of Social Affairs and Labor founded in 1954.

8- Establishment of public benefit societies:

Following Kuwait's independence in 1961, volunteer work was formally organized by establishing public benefit societies, with their number reaching 143 societies in 2020, covering various specialties and fields, and these societies serve the community under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

9- The role of women in volunteer work:

Kuwaiti women played a prominent role in volunteer work, supporting Arab causes since 1936, and contributed to initiatives such as "Plate of Goodness" and "Hanin Kuwait" to care for orphans, and these efforts evolved during the Iraqi invasion crisis, demonstrating the strength of national solidarity.

10- Youth volunteer teams:

Youth volunteer work received significant government support, with more than 300 youth volunteer teams established under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs, serving various social and humanitarian issues, including the "Bader" program which organizes the work of youth teams to effectively achieve their goals.