Nawras Goodwill Journey 8 reaches Al Buraimi

As part of the 8th Annual Goodwill Journey, the Nawras team entered the Al Buraimi region on Sunday to extend their support to families that are most in need. On their third day of the journey, the convoy of Nawras vehicles reached the Omani Women’s Association to spread the message of love and brotherhood during the Holy Month of Ramadhan. Through this caring programme developed by the employees of Nawras to understand and come closer to those most in need in the community, the focus is on extending support and donations for people that are less fortunate.

After a warm welcome at the Omani Women’s Association, the members of the Nawras Goodwill Journey donated items including laptops, printers, LCDs, DVDs, iPads and home appliances like ovens and air conditioner units.

On the occasion, Khalid bin Ali Al Zadjali, leader of the Nawras Goodwill Journey said, "Family has always been a centre of every aspect of Nawras operation and that is why we would like to see families benefit from our drive.  It's very fulfilling for our members to see our efforts bring smiles to a lot of faces. We have worked very hard to understand the different needs of the communities in various parts of Oman and our team is totally committed to meeting those needs."

"It's wonderful to see a group of young men and women working hand in hand for a great cause such as this, ready to come miles away from their home town and family. We are really touched by the gesture and as you can see the impact of such initiative is great. You can see the children are really excited to interact with the group and it's so well organised," said Maryam Rahid Al Yazzedi, Head of Omani Women’s Association in Al Buraimi.

The association currently working for a school project that will accommodate 120 to 180 children for kindergarten, showed the team around the site they are working on. Expected to open around September, the members of the association still hope to focus on vocational training for women that they conduct in subjects such as sewing, knitting, photography, computer and software tutorials.

On its third day, the Nawras Goodwill Journey team decided to pay a surprise visit to Al Wafaa Centre while at Al BuraimI to follow up on the good times they had at the centre four years back. Marching in with a load of goodies certainly took the Head of the organisation, Amna Khafan by surprise. The centre is conducting classes for children with special needs and was more than happy to receive equipment like headsets, iPads and laptops that will help students in their learning experience.

For Saud Hamed Al Rawahi, team leader customer experience, the past seven years of the Goodwill Journey have been a realisation of goodness. "I remember an incident that touched us all and this was a few years ago during the journey. We were at this special needs centre and we noticed a cute two-year-old girl quite disturbed by our presence. She was annoyed and that was when one of my colleagues decided to play his guitar and you should have seen the smile that had brought to her face. That was enough for us to forget the summer heat or the tiring journey."

Zainab Al Balushi working in Sales finds the whole experience to be very uplifting. "I have always wanted to do something like this in my life and I feel this is a great opportunity."

Haitham Jaber Al Mahruqi who has been with the Goodwill Journey team since last year shared his experience of the past two years. "I had heard about the journey when I first joined the company and I wanted to go. I think I do it for the great feeling I get for being a part of something as special as this. I love to see the small difference we bring in peoples' life and I guess it is very personal."

Nadia Al Balushi working in customer experience finds the Goodwill Journey teaching many life lessons that can be cherished. "We are here with our colleagues for a good cause and I feel that there is a lot to learn from the experience we have here. It could be a small thing but from every journey you take home something good and new for life."

Moving from Al Buraimi, the next stop on the Nawras Goodwill Journey will be at Mussanah and Al Suwaiq. At the last stop of the first leg of the journey the company plans to help low income families at Al Rustaq, making a difference to the lives of women, children and the elderly community as well as people with special needs.