Nawras Goodwill Journey 2 draws to a successful close

Nawras, the Sultanate’s customer friendly communications provider, held a ‘welcome back’ event this evening to mark the safe return of the Nawras Goodwill Journey 2 team and the successful conclusion of the Ramadan project for this year. As the convoy of branded vehicles entered the parking area of the main Nawras building in Athaiba, they were greeted by a crowd comprised of media representatives, Executive Committee Members, Nawras employees and their families, all waiting to acknowledge the Goodwill Journey participants. Chief Guest on the occasion, HE Ali bin Masoud Al-Sineadi, Minister of Sports, took the lead in congratulating the team members on a challenging job, well done. A presentation followed, detailing the entire journey photographically, beginning with the launch event held at the Al Bustan Palace on 23rd September and culminating with the final visit carried out in Al Swaiq, earlier today. Certificates of participation were given to each team member by HE Minister of Sports, who took the opportunity to personally thank all those involved for positively influencing the lives of so many, this Ramadan.

Salalah and Sadah
The Nawras Goodwill Journey 2 began on Tuesday, 10th October at the Nawras Store in Salalah, with an event held under the auspices of the Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, HE Salem Aufiet Al Shanfari. Attendees were welcomed by Nawras Event and Sponsorship Manager, Khalid bin Ali Al Zadjali, who gave a speech outlining the purpose and aims of the Nawras Goodwill Journey, emphasising the company’s ongoing social corporate responsibility commitment. In the presence of local dignitaries together with representatives from charities based in Salalah and Nawras employees, HE Salem Aufiet Al Shanfari declared the Nawras Goodwill Journey 2 ready to commence and flagged off the convoy of six Nawras vehicles. Their first call was to the Women's Association in the Wilayat of Sadah where the Nawras team donated a number of essential items which included air conditioners, refrigerators, computers, and furniture. The Nawras Goodwill Journey members also distributed a number of assorted toys to an excited crowd of little children, rhythmically chanting Nawras. Their excitement possibly enhanced by the fact that it was the first time a private company had ever visited the Association.

Mirbat
The Nawras Goodwill Journey 2 also made a short stop at the Al Wafa Social and Voluntary Centre for the Handicapped in Mirbat while en route to Sadah. Toys and other learning tools were presented to the physically challenged children there, who sang a beautiful welcome song for the Nawras team.

Mahout
The Goodwill Journey 2 team received a very warm welcome when it touched base with the Mahout Women's Association, bringing the message of ‘sharing is caring’, a theme in particular focus during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The Nawras team gave a very pleasant surprise to the Women's Association in Mahout by donating a school minibus among other things. It was anticipated that this would become a vehicle of hope and development for the children who need to commute some distance between home and school, an especially difficult activity during the hottest months of the year.

Besides the bus, a number of other items which included computers, fax machines and sewing machines, were also extended to the newly-formed Women's Association, which has been operating for just one month. The kindergarten children also shared in the happiness, receiving toys and learning tools.

Al Mudaybi
The Nawras Goodwill Journey 2 reached Al Mudaybi with precision timing, as the town’s Al Wafa Social and Voluntary Centre will shortly relocate from its current temporary premises to a brand new building, necessitating extra equipment and furniture.

The head of the Al Wafa Social and Voluntary Centre, Khoula bint Ahmed Al Harthy took receipt of the Nawras donation of office furniture, chairs and tables for the students, computers and even one complete sports room equipped with a variety of sports goods.
Children at the centre presented an entertainment programme including some games and a sketch on the importance of vaccination set against a backdrop of lively music. Nawras presented toys and gifts to the more than 90 students, populating the centre.

Adam
Travelling around 60 kilometres away from Nizwa, the Nawras Goodwill Journey 2 team visited the Women’s Association in Adam, where a number of items including sewing machines; furniture for the office and classrooms of the association; computers; and air conditioners were distributed in the presence of Abdullah bin Salim Al Ghailani, Wali of Adam. The sewing machines are expected to be utilised in the imminent introduction of tailoring classes for the ladies which will provide them with the means to become self sufficient. The children at the Association were not left out, gratefully receiving toys and gifts from Nawras.

Bahla
Nawras made quite an unusual form of donation in Bahla, where a new warehouse was to be constructed for the Al Wafa Voluntary Association in the town. A ceremony took place under the auspices of Sheikh Badir bin Nasser Al-Farsi, Assistant Wali of Badir, with Ross Cormack, Nawras Chief Executive Officer outlining the history and purpose behind the second Nawras Goodwill Journey. He explained that senior management from Nawras had accompanied him to Bahla, lending their presence to show support for the initiative. Sheikh Badir and Ross Cormack ceremoniously started to dig the foundations of the new warehouse, the building work, manpower and materials being funded by Nawras. The rest of the Goodwill Team joined forces with the labourers working there, to make a significant start on the base of the structure.

Team members were given a short introduction to the centre, with explanations of the objectives hoped to be achieved in the future together with a summary of the programmes currently being run there. Nawras team members also began installing the computers they had donated for the Association. After some poetry recitations, beautiful singing and competitions for the young ones, the Goodwill team gave toys and gifts to the delighted children present.

Mahdah
When the Goodwill Journey 2 convoy reached Mahdah, it was a noteworthy point as it marked the first visit by Nawras to the new Governate of Al Buraimi. Visiting the Omani Women’s Association, the Nawras team was warmly welcomed by Director Shiekah Ali Al-Surihya before staging an event under the kind patronage of Shiekh Mohamed Rashid Al-Saadi, Deputy Wali of Mahdah and also HE Shiekh Salem bin Ali Al-Kaabi, Member of the Shura Council. The Goodwill team participated in several activities organised by the Association and showed their appreciation for the performances given by the enthusiastic children. Faces lit up in gratitude as donations of computers, electronics and electrical devices including fridges and sewing machines were presented by Nawras.

Summary
Nawras Goodwill Journey 2 has been an employee initiative to reach out to charitable and voluntary associations during Ramadan by touring the length and breadth of the Sultanate in a convoy of branded vehicles carrying a variety of items to donate to those who need help and support in our society. This has formed part of the ongoing commitment Nawras demonstrates for social corporate responsibility.

The intentions of the journey were aptly summarised by the Al Wafa Voluntary Association’s Co-Coordinator in Bahla, when she put the following heartfelt words in a letter to Nawras:

“Not many can understand the feeling of those who are not always able to enjoy a normal life like others, and only those who take an extra step to come really close to them, might understand the sense of difficulty felt by our children with special needs. This is an example of the work done by Nawras who chose to uncover the life of those children and decided to share with them the joy of life for a moment and get very close to their heart.”

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