Arwa Al Hashimi
Volunteerism in Oman has consistently received dedicated focus and attention. This equates to Arab's authentic qualities of which generosity tops the mark. Omanis have always shared their food, drink, and clothing with all strangers. Not only that but they also shared sorrows and joys as one united community.
It has been widely said that we live by what we give, not by what we take. Following this belief is the way to recognise and appreciate the needs of others and always the encouragement and ready to help out in any circumstance.
This has come to be a wonderful image of the Omani community as people who are always behind their backs. This was the strong view present not only in good times but also during climatic conditions and storms that the country has been through when the people lost their belongings.
Following the Omani model of generosity and cooperation, the Omani Bahjah Orphan Society has won first place in the fourth edition of the Khalid Al Issa Al Saleh Award for Excellence in Charitable Work at the Arabian Gulf level.
The award enhances the institutional importance and professionalism of charitable work under the patronage of the Minister of Social Affairs, the union of Kuwaiti charitable societies and foundations, and under the supervision of the general secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf Countries.
The Omani Bahjah Orphan Society competed to win the award in the category of charitable institutions in the field of Electronic Leadership with its application ‘Wasel.’ It is an online application specialised in meeting the needs of orphans and other families facing financial difficulties. The needs include food, clothing, and other materials that are delivered to the people’s homes.
The application was first set up in 2022 and won first place for the Sultanate at Dhofar University as the best project. Interestingly, 90 per cent of workers on the application are orphans of working age.
The society was established in 2014 and was declared by the ministerial resolution No.30/2014. Its work revolves around providing sponsorship and care for Omani orphans. They have sponsored 1,500 orphans and initiated about 40 projects to serve them and their families.
The society has previously won several awards for its charitable work including the Sultan Qaboos Award for Voluntary Work in 2013 for the Bahjah Project, Al Sanabel Award for Service Excellence at the Gulf Cooperation Council level in 2019, the OQ 2020 Competition for the best initiative, Distinguished International Foundation Award for Social Innovation in Bahrain 2023.
It was also honoured as the Best Charitable Organization for 2019.
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