By A Staff Reporter — MUSCAT — Nawras, Oman’s customer friendly communications provider, has donated equipment and supplies to the Omani Women’s Association in Al Rustaq that will empower the women to set up a business and create new jobs by operating a beauty salon. On day five of the ten-day journey of compassion and sharing, Nawras volunteers also donated laptops and printers, LCD televisions, DVD players, an iPad 2, washing and sewing machines in addition to a water cooler. Goodwill Journey members visited the Social Care Home which serves the elderly.
"Nawras is committed to empowering Omani women to establish a sustainable income by supporting and fostering their employment opportunities. The volunteers at the Association are already doing a fantastic job and we are extending our support to enable them to continue along this path. We are delighted to help another business get off the ground and hope that dreams can be realised through these donations,” said Khalid bin Ali al Zadjali, Events and Protocol Manager at Nawras and Leader of the Nawras Goodwill Journey.
On being asked about the challenges faced during the journey, Khalid added, "Of course there are challenges when you are planning an event of this magnitude but year after year you learn something new to take home and cherish. For example it was first time that all of us painted a room for children and we thought it would be easy. It took a lot more time than expected and we did not realise we needed to put a number of coats on the walls in order to make the room look beautiful. It all worked out in the end and everyone was pleased with the final result.”
The highlights of the first phase of the journey included stops at the Al Noor Association for the Blind in Nizwa and the Omani Women’s Associations in Muscat, Dhank, Al Buraimi, Al Musannah, Al Suwaiq and Al Rustaq. From donating basic equipment for the home to painting a classroom for children with special needs, the Nawras family was involved in various activities to benefit those most in need.
Bader al Shabib, a Nawras volunteer said, "This is my first time and it is absolutely delightful. The feeling is pretty indescribable especially when you are spending time with children. It is overwhelming to see their warmth and love and we had a wonderful time with them. I am proud to be part of this journey."
The second leg of the 10- day journey is due to start today. The team will finish their caring mission at the final destination of Salalah. Every year since 2005, the Nawras Goodwill Journey has travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres across the country.
