Nawras Goodwill Journey Day 3 - Onwards to Salalah

2nd September 2009

After travelling over 200 kilometres from Muscat to Sur and another 450 kilometres to reach Masirah Island, the 5th Nawras Goodwill Journey convoy left the beautifully picturesque island to head out for a further 700 kilometre plus journey to Salalah, in the Dhofar governorate.

Before their departure from the island, the convoy stopped at the branch of Al Wafa Social and Voluntary Centre for the Handicapped on Masirah Island. There they were welcomed by the centre’s supervisor, Afrah bint Maborook al Jaaferi together with her assistants and some of the children with special needs that they care for.

Responding to the caring words from Nawras, the supervisor said that this is the first year of the centre’s operation in Masirah and that they appreciate the support they are receiving from Nawras’ Goodwill Journey.

She added, they are now able to look after all the 23 disabled children in their care. Besides the supervisor, the centre has seven trained carer/teachers and as with all the Al Wafa Centres they are dependant on private donations and receive support from the government.

All of the children were thrilled as Nawras staff opened big boxes full of toys for them. Other Nawras donated gifts included the latest wide screen TV’s, PCs, computer aided learning games, air-conditioners, cookers, printers, DVDs, projectors, home theatre accessories and children’s tables and chairs.

The director of social development, Al Masirah, Said bin Mubarak al Buhairi, was also present at the centre. He spoke to reporters and said, “Nawras has put in a lot of effort to bring together public authorities and private concerns.” He added that the Ministry is responsible for the training of the centre’s carers, and that the centre’s work is crucial and very important.

Two Nawras employees, who are taking part in the goodwill journey for the first time, shared their experiences on what has become an annual event, aptly taking place in the blessed Holy Month of Ramadan.

Kaab bin Ahmed al Kharusi, Nawras process management specialist, said that the goodwill journey gives all the volunteers much more than they expect. He was thrilled to see the children so happy even with simple, heartfelt gestures. He added, the volunteers have to give of themselves too as they have to be apart from their work and their family at this time of the Holy Month but emphasised that it’s a wonderful feeling and even though it is the middle of Ramadan he and his colleagues do not feel at all tired.

Al Kharusi has been a Nawras employee for the past three years and has helped out in other volunteer work. He said he enjoys working at Nawras seeing it as a challenge and the place to be.

For Abubaker bin Jan Mohammed al Balushi, accounts manager – Nawras Indirect Sales, teamwork is a very important factor on the goodwill journey experience. He praised the employee organisation of the event - which has kept improving with each passing year. He is looking forward to visiting the people at all the places planned and to doing his part to meet all the commitments made.

He also said, “Some of the best moments of the trip have been visits to Masirah Island and helping out for the benefit of the needy people. I was encouraged to receive calls from friends who had seen parts of the trip on TV and in the media and thought that it was a very good initiative as well as showing how sincerely Nawras cares for the community.”

The Nawras Goodwill Journey 5 continues with its mission to bring happiness to those less fortunate in society as the convoy heads to Salalah.


 

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