By Hadiya Al-Naser, YES Kuwait 2008-2009

The day I left my host family to go to Washington D.C for the orientation on returning home, I received a very special letter from the White House congratulating me on receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award. I felt happy that I had reached my goal of volunteering for 100 hours. But those hours had their impact on me even once I left the U.S., simply because they made me realize that I experience the most joy when I perform an act of giving. 

After returning home and becoming an official YES alumna, I’ve worked with other YES alumni and participants to fundraise for our an annual party for kids with cancer at the National Bank of Kuwait Hospital (NBK Hospital). The planing, fundraising, and execution requires a lot of effort from everyone who is involved. Our mission and goal every year is to make it the best and most unforgettable event in the children's lives. We try our best to create happy moments that brighten and ease their days.

Since graduating from high school in 2010 and traveling abroad for university, I have made sure whenever I am back to get involved with any NBK event. The last one I did in 2012 was my favorite, since I was technically in charge of everything. I was given the chance to work with the YES participants who were traveling that year. The event took place at NBK hospital on outpatient weekly checkup day; and since it was during Ramadan, and Gergean (a traditional Kuwaiti trick or treating custom) was just around the corner, we decided to make a booth near the outpatient clinics themed around Gergean. 

At the booth, we had goodie bags for the patients, healthy snacks and fruit bouquets. We also had a games section to try to involve the kids while they were waiting for their checkup. It's the most rewarding feeling when you find the kids returning to the booth, wanting to play after their checkups and hang out there. Since I had remaining money from the fundraising, I decided to schedule another visit for inpatients. I took information about the ages, genders and interests of the patients, and I went to purchase the gifts accordingly. Later, on August fifth, 2012, I went with two other alumni to visit the inpatient kids, distribute the gifts and play with some of them in the play area. 

Since traveling abroad for university, I have tried my best to remain involved in volunteer work. During the start of my medical school years in Malta in 2011 and 2012, I was able to start a “Get to Know Kuwait” annual event that took place on campus on the occasion of the national and liberation days. The event in 2011 included a booth that exhibited different items from Kuwaiti culture. But in 2012, I decided to take it to a whole new level. I wanted the Kuwaiti students on campus to have the opportunity to showcase the past, the present and the future of their country. I have always thought Kuwaiti students make up the largest number of international students on campus, so we have to get involved.

I was able to get sponsorship from the International Office of the University of Malta. The event was held for two days to allow the maximum number of students on campus to take part. A huge tent was placed in the middle of the campus. Once you walked in, it was a piece of Kuwait in front of you. Food, music, games, traditional clothes, live dance performances, and more surrounded every visitor. The event was noted in the local news in Malta and even the news back in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti Ambassador and the President of the university visited the display and were tremendously supportive of the idea. The students loved it, and I can proudly say that I created a bridge between the two cultures. Now, even after leaving Malta to enter Medical school in Jordan, the event still continues to serve as a great representation of Kuwait at the university and even the local community in Malta. I have heard that school students and the public are given the opportunity to visit the display as well. 

In September 2012, I moved to Jordan to enter Medical school. I have been involved with a youth volunteering organization that aims to serve and educate the local community. In 2013, I was able to participate in an event that aimed to educate and entertain Syrian refugees and orphans during the month of Ramadan. The project's goal was to provide a safe environment in which kids could play, learn new things and use the time during their summer break wisely. Different groups of kids spent five to six hours twice a week participating in educational games, arts and crafts and creative lessons. Some of the lessons aimed to teach them about recycling and renewable energy sources and other such topics. At the end of day, the kids and volunteers shared the Iftar meal. There was a carnival at the end of the event during Eid for all the kids and volunteers to conclude the successful event and to give the kids the opportunity to celebrate the joy of Eid. 

As for my future plans, I am planing on applying for the AIESEC exchange to volunteer abroad. I think the experience will be so enriching and will help me to bring new concepts of volunteering to my local community where I am now living in Jordan or when I get back to Kuwait.