Packages on way to needy

Bags full of donations are continuing to pour into Bahrain City Centre for its annual ‘Make a Difference this Ramadan’ campaign and an army of delivery men are making sure that the packages of goodwill from shoppers and GulfWeekly readers are on their way to the needy.

The mall’s staff members are making regular drops of food supplies to the Al Noor Charity Welfare Society which is then co-ordinating the distribution of the bags to different homes in the kingdom throughout the holy month.

Duaij Khalifa Al Rumaihi, senior mall manager, said: “Bahrain City Centre has been a strong supporter of Al Noor Charity Welfare and their humanitarian efforts within the community, and we were pleased to make an initial food donation.

“This will be used to feed underprivileged families and in the spirit of generosity, we are thankful to Al Noor for making this contribution possible.”

Bags of clothing have also started piling up at the society’s headquarters in A’ali, leaving little room for Al Noor’s representatives to roam.

Once the bags arrive they are opened by the charity and divided equally to each family registered on its books.

This week GulfWeekly accompanied Al Noor’s Um Abdullah, who makes regular visits to families in need in Bahrain, to distribute a box of food and items of clothing to the Mohammed family in Isa Town.

Noora Mohammed, a middle-aged divorced mother, who has worked for the past 33 years with the National Bank of Bahrain Home for the Aged, is raising a family-of-four on her own in a three-bedroom house. Her BD625 salary is barely enough to make ends meet, especially after a rent payment of BD270 is taken from it.

Her daughter Manal, 27, is also divorced and now lives with her. She said: “Our mother is marvellous.”

Noora’s second daughter Budoor, 25, also lives with them and is currently unemployed. She shares a room with her 12-year-old sister, Shaikha, who attends school in Hamad Town. Their brother Mohammed, 19, works for the Royal Guard, has his own room and pays his own way. But mum is left to sleep in the living room.

Noora said: “We once had a big home in Hamad Town but after the divorce we had to move around before finding this house which isn’t big enough for all of us. Our situation is difficult. I never thought my life and my children’s lives would come to this. After rent we aren’t left with much.”

It has been difficult at times for Noora to cope and she has sought help from different societies only to be turned away because she earns a salary. She explained: “Al Noor Society has been the only organisation to help us. They would give me BD30 vouchers for groceries, Ramadan offerings and if I needed anything I could ask them and they would try to assist.

“I will be forever grateful to the Al Noor Society and the mall for the donations we received today and everyone who has supported this campaign.

“I think what they are doing is beautiful. They are also raising awareness that occasionally families in Bahrain need a helping hand. There are many families here that need all the help they can get. God bless you all.”

Big-hearted shoppers have been dropping bags of food including chocolates, pasta, rice, biscuits, Vimto, tomato paste, boxes of tea, and even Jello into the large collection box located on the ground floor behind the customer service desk at Bahrain City Centre. Other donations welcomed are books and spectacles. Special collection bags can be picked up at the mall’s customer service desk.