A weight off their shoulders

STUDENTS at Al Nazha Primary School in Hamad Town were beaming with smiles when representatives from telecom provider VIVA arrived and delivered backpacks filled with supplies to help them start the new term.

The company’s recently completed ‘Back to School’ initiative saw more than 1,000 backpacks, which included refill water bottles and notebooks, donated to needy children from 20 primary-intermediate government schools across the kingdom.

Al Nazha Primary School Principal Basma Al Subaiee, said: “It’s a fantastic gesture and the bags will make a huge difference to underprivileged families, especially those with many children.”

To help alleviate any stigma of carrying the VIVA-branded bag, the school is also distributing them to helpful students as a reward and an incentive for good behaviour.

“Some poor families may be shy to use something donated or ashamed to carry the bag,” explained Principal Al Subaiee. “This way, the underprivileged girls don’t feel that they’re any different, so the bag is seen as something to be worn with pride.”

Although the government provides the school with a budget to buy necessities for the students, the money saved as a result of the donation will be used to take care of some of their other needs.

Principal Al Subaiee said: “Since VIVA has generously given us the bags, we are going to utilise the money we would have spent on them to provide more items the girls might need such as sports clothes, uniforms and new shoes.

“We never ask the kids to purchase anything, drawing books, colouring pencils - the school tries to provide everything for the students to take the financial strain off the families.”

The three most expensive elements are often back-to-school supplies, food at break-time plus school trips and support is always appreciated.

“We have 600 students aged between seven and 12 and around 25 per cent of them require extra help,” said the principal. “We want them to be happy to come to school and learn and have the same opportunities as everyone-else.”

Layla Janahi, VIVA Bahrain – Corporate Social Responsibility director, said: “Our ‘Back to School’ initiative provides new backpacks to the less fortunate who might not otherwise have proper tools to achieve academic success.

 “These backpacks being distributed to schools across Bahrain enable us to assist in academic development of the youth and equip them for a better future.
 
“Through this initiative, we hope to create positive experiences for our young and prepare them for the new school-year and various other educational opportunities, underscoring VIVA’s commitment to youth empowerment through education.

“Hopefully, this will put a smile on their faces and get them started on the right path. We wish them good luck in school this year and hope they will enjoy the new learning experience.”