Saudi volunteers create a home for disabled family that slept on floor

RIYADH: A team of Saudi volunteers have helped to renovate the home of a family of five very much in need – the mother unable to walk having suffered a stroke, the father suffering from multiple sclerosis.

The two parents and their three children had been sleeping on the floor; they had no beds, until Saudi Arabia’s Seen Foundation stepped in.

The property in Riyadh’s Al-Oraija district is Seen’s 100th restoration project since the foundation’s conception in 2019.

Seen was created to assist struggling families in the country.

Working all day Saturday, the volunteers painted the walls, installed a new kitchen, reorganized the interiors and more.

While the foundation worked on restoring the flat, they put the family up in a furnished apartment.

Seen’s work is made possible by a flow of volunteers who give up their spare time to help contribute to social-welfare projects.

Muath Al-Wahid, project manager, said the foundation has received over 1,500 offers of help from those wanting to volunteer.

Al-Wahid said: “We only needed 60 volunteers … so we randomly select names. Today, we achieved case-number 100, and we would like to thank our partners and volunteers for their help.”

Lojien Al-Ghamdi has volunteered seven times with the foundation.

“Saturday is my only day off from work, so the first time I volunteered I felt a little tired. But when we finished restoring the house and I witnessed the family’s reaction I thought it was worth it.

“I kept coming back and I would love to give back to the community this way.”

Various Saudi businesses including Meshkati, Alajlan Riviera, Jazeera Paints, and Aqar have partnered with the foundation to provide furnishings, lighting, and decorations.

Shaimaa Al-Shamali, a volunteer from the Aqar real estate platform, said this was her way to give back to the community. She thanked the foundation for their efforts and initiative.