Sharing iftar joy with needy

In the month of mercy, a group of young women have taken it upon themselves to spread happiness and love among the less fortunate people of Jeddah’s Karantina district.
This is the sixth year in which these women are lending a helping hand to help organize a special Ramadan iftar for families in need.
Every year this holy month, this group of 10 women head to south Jeddah to a small neighborhood called Karantina brimming with expats, who work all day and night to provide for their big families and neighbors.
People in the area recognize the volunteers by now, they see them everyday at 5:30 p.m. sharp, standing in front of their cars pulling out baskets of meals to distribute before iftar time.
“This act is not only about distributing iftar meals to deserving individuals in Karantina, it is about connecting with all those individuals and join efforts to help give back to society, one meal at a time,” said Hala Marzouaa, member of Karantina volunteers team. “Volunteering is something that nourished my soul and kept me wanting more. The smiles on their faces when you give them their meal is priceless and I’m very happy knowing I’m part of the reason they are smiling,” she added.
Volunteering is a selfless act that gives you a sort of satisfaction that makes you want to give more, according to Mazrouaa. “Our team is divided into three groups, each for men, women and children. The givers are as organized as the receivers. As soon as we arrive in our jeeps, we find them standing in lines humbly waiting for their turn to pick up their meals,” she said. “Children receive Albaik sandwiches while older men and women receive hot meals that contain rice, chicken, dates, laban and water,” she added.
The volunteers realized that for the people, it was more than just standing in straight lines to receive their meals. “These women stand in lines looking for someone with warm hearts to help them with their personal problems, it is like they have finally found someone who can rescue them from all their problems,” Raghad Abulkhair, member of Karantina volunteers team, said. “They usually ask for someone who could help pay their electricity bills, medical bills and sometimes ask for school supplies for their children. One young women recently opened an English and computer class and asked the volunteers to help her find used computers and books. They never ask for too much and after 30 days spent with them every year, we have become one family and not just a team,” she added.
This is the second year for volunteer Nouf Bannan, who joined the volunteer group when she wanted to do a good deed in which she could invest her time and energy and give back to society.
“Visiting Karantina taught me how to deal with people from different backgrounds and those who are in desperate need for help and guidance,” she said. “Going there everyday and seeing them gives me a satisfying feeling and I am always thankful that I got to experience this and meet volunteers who are exactly like me — who want to give back to society and do good,” she added.
At the end of this holy month, volunteers also make sure to share their joy and celebrate Eid with the neighborhood’s children. Giving away wrapped candy and toys is an annual tradition that started six years ago where volunteers head to the same area to distribute these humble giveaways. “During Ramadan we were focusing more on children who play on the streets, once we arrive they all gather to collect their warm meals,” said Lutfia Hammad, a member of the Karantina team. “When it’s time for Eid, you see these children dressed in their best to show off their new clothing just in time to receive their Eid candies from us. I love how they all sit next to each other and start opening their goodies and sharing it with others,” she added.
Orphans get a special Eid visit by Saudi female volunteers. “In 2013, we found out about small orphanages where young children with no families were raised, those children were too young to leave the house and meet us in the streets. Now we visit each orphanage every day to distribute cold meals during Ramadan,” said Ayah Shata, a member of the Karantina volunteers team. “We also make sure to pass by them to celebrate the occasion by distributing Eid clothes, toys and candies among the young ones,” she added.
Women volunteers are willing to continue this habit and turn it into a lifestyle in which they will ensure making time for those in need. “Giving back to the community is what drives us to do more and we look forward every single year to volunteer and connect with the people in the neighborhood to not only help them but also to enjoy their company,” said Abulkhair.
Mazrouaa is responsible for the marketing of the Ramadan project as well as for managing female volunteers. “We always welcome new members who want to participate in our Iftar Sayem projects where we send them to different locations to help women and children,” she said.
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