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One of the kingdom’s main goodwill groups is celebrating the New Year by throwing its doors open to people from all walks of life as part of a major expansion.
The Bahrain Voluntary Work Society (BVWS) has decided to allow expats to join its ranks, whereas previously only Bahrainis were accepted. This comes in its fifth year after being founded in 2013, and as more events and activities are planned, more members were sought.
Mohammed Yahya Al Balushi, board member of the BVWS and the head of the international volunteer department, said: “When we started, we were focused on Bahrainis only. However, now we’ve settled down and everything has taken shape, we’ve decided to expand the team and allow expats to join. “This is especially important because Bahrain’s community is so mixed.
This will allow BVWS to also provide its services and activities to non-Bahrainis, which makes us proud with the feeling of giving.” The BVWS is a nongovernment organisation which falls under the banner of social development and encompasses many departments.
One looks after the poor families in the kingdom and provides them with as much support as possible, whilst another looks after those with special needs. Throughout the year, it participates in many conferences and workshops both in Bahrain and abroad with previous visits including the GCC, the wider Middle East, Africa and Vienna.
Mohammed is one of the founders of the society, which was created to turn the self organised voluntary work he and his peers were doing into a proper profession which could be carried under the flag of Bahrain and its people.
He is also a board member in two international organisations namely the Arab Federation of Voluntary Work and the African and Arab Youth Council. Mohammed said: “The BVWS has already come a long way since we created it, and we have a lot in the pipeline for 2017.
We will be introducing special activities for expats this year in line with opening our membership to all. “We always bear in mind the Bahrain Vision 2030 set out by His Majesty King Hamad, and set our plans to be in line with this vision accordingly. “We’d love for more people to get involved with us. We have 126 active members already, and the more the better. No matter how small your contribution, it could make a big difference to somebody.”
Anyone wishing to join the Bahrain Voluntary Work Society can visit www. bahrainvolunteers.com for more information. Those in the expat community can also WhatsApp or call 39181113
