A beacon of hope

For the past 15 years, the Al Noor Charity Welfare Society has been a beacon of hope for struggling families and orphans within the kingdom from rented premises in A’ali, writes Mai Al Khatib-Camille.

Now, a new home is being built for the community care-givers to better serve their cause of spreading goodwill in Bahrain.

Its president Shaikha Lamia bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, said: “There are many orphans, families and elderly people in the community that need our help and with the new facilities we will be able to provide even more assistance.

“We have been planning to build a multi-use structure since our inception and now it’s starting to come together. It will feature large function halls and auditoriums that can cater to any occasion. We will rent out these halls for a fee which we will raise funds to help cover the society’s duties throughout the year.”

Construction of the BD2 million project started in October of last year and Shaikha Lamia has been told it will take around two years to complete.

She added: “Whatever activities and bazaars we have, we will place a donation box to raise money for the new premises as well as our regular services.”

The society has many committees set up to handle the variety of cases brought to its attention to offer financial assistance, health care, educational services, home visits and more. 

Shaikha Lamia added: “We have more than 250 registered orphans that we look after from when they are young until they reach 18.

“We give them a monthly salary of BD25 per person and then supply them with whatever further aid they need, be it for education or everyday living. If they need a computer or other educational tools we try our best to provide it for them. If they need glasses or a wheelchair we can help.

“We have even assisted some of our orphans during their university years. Whatever we can do to make their lives easier we will.

“As for the struggling families in Bahrain, some include fathers that cannot work or single mothers, widows struggling to provide for their children. We also have a section that cares for the elderly.”

An outreach team ensures the elderly are able to undergo routine medical check-ups and on occasions the society calls out doctors and nurses to make home visits.

Another initiative involves volunteer children working under the Al Noor Charity Welfare Society visiting lonely elderly neighbours – an example of grassroots community care at its finest.
In terms of education services, the society offers scholarships, mentoring and guidance to young people.

Its cultural side offers to teach the young the true meaning of the Quran and there are also religious awareness workshops for adults.

While the society works non-stop around-the-clock to support its members, the holy month is always a challenge. “Ramadan is our busiest time of year,” Shaikha Lamia explained. “In Islam, we believe that Ramadan is the best month to give – that’s not saying that you shouldn’t help others throughout the year – it’s because we feel for the needy when we fast.

“Before the start of the holy month, the society starts filling boxes with food to give away. The items include fare such as a bag of rice and sugar and other items traditionally used when breaking the fast and during family gatherings. We also distribute BD30 in grocery vouchers to be used at any Al Muntazah Supermarket in the kingdom.

“For those feeling alone during Ramadan, they can also break their fast with us at a large tent in Riffa near a mosque.”

Shaikha Lamia hopes the GulfWeekly-supported Make a Difference this Ramadan initiative will be as successful as previous campaigns in partnership with Bahrain City Centre.

“We are very pleased to be working with the mall and our local newspaper once again to provide clothing, spectacles, books and food items to our families. This is a great campaign that I hope locals and expats will support.”

The society is open six-days-a-week from 8am to 1.30pm. For those interested in donating directly to the society, contact 17665335.