Operation Hope is a charitable organization in Kuwait that provides clothing and food to the less fortunate and the needy in Kuwait. You can donate clothing, food supplies or even volunteer your time if you’d like to help out in some way.
I spoke to them this evening and the most urgent things they require are warm clothing and blankets. They also accept food items(canned/long shelf life) If you’d like to contribute something to this cause please given them a call at 9937-5613
My regular readers and friends can contact me directly if you want more information or want to coordinate efforts. Thanks.
Operation hope website [link]
The Toy Room
thanks for posting about this…I will give them a call..
Sometimes we worry about what others are doing instead of what we need to do. What they do with items given to them, depend largely on the individual. Many wear the clothes given (I have personally distributed clothes to the needy) and I am happy to say that I have seen the people wearing them. They also seem to share what is given with others like themselves.
A few individuals might sell, but if you ask them why, you might learn that their family is in need of the cash to buy food, etc…
I have found many TCNs willing to sacrifice a present in sake of their family, namely children. They realize that sending the cash to help pay for their child’s tuition, or basic necessities, is more important than them keeping a jacket given to them. Being the primary source provider for their family puts extra burden on them. (It might not look right to us when we give, that they would sell it, but when we look at the extenuating circumstances leading up to it we can relate to their plight. (People do what they can to survive.) Judging every person’s motive would mean that no one would ever want to donate to the needy. Making sure we do our best to help others, when we can, is what is most important. Sometimes, we don’t know whose life we have touched. Worrying about a jacket, that we haven’t worn in ages, instead of giving it to someone who can use it (in whichever way necessary to meet their needs) means we have done our part.
not meaning to have a shuteye for such wonderful causes. i get worried on matters like whether the people who we consider as needy are really helped. i was reading the “about us” where the founder mentions, the whole thing started when she met a bangladeshi person, and she felt bad on his condition and they offered clothing etc.
The concept, the action of giving out, is blessed and wonderful for the heart. but whether it works out in real life, is questionable. For example, i used to give out to the poor including some really poor bangladeshi, that my heart went out for. a couple of days later, i meet the same person in tattered clothes again.. im asked him what happened. he said he managed to sell them at a good price since they were in good condition!!.. now if this happens once , tiwce .. its acceptable as bad apples..
but when i have had so many of my friends , families go through similar episodes…its annoying.
Now operation hope, is doing a great job! applauds to them. but what are the needy people doing? are they using the stuff for their benefit or for cash?. Kuwaiti employers dont drag people to kuwait. they dont go to india or elsewhere drag them here. People come to kuwait on their own will. Their Will is forced by their desire of petro money, or careers or just family sake. But when they come here they see a different side, which they cannot handle.
Poverty, needy etc.. is all formed by the illiteracy!.. lack of education , schooling etc. IN bangladesh alone, i have seen top executives, IT engineers and also have seen lowest form of workers.. Some of them my own work mates. They all crib about the lack of an opportunity to learn study or the career guidance in any form.
Not to brag, but i personally invest in donating to schools, colleges, which support people, who cannot afford or have no time for education, as the same poverty we see today, can be avoid tomorrow.. and i am proud that i have done something for some unknown’s persons future.
yes I understand your cause for concern, there are many Bengalis who sell the things that are donated for their benefit and this turns off people who genuinely want to help them. I usually throw out some of my clothes which no longer fit me and I thought it would be better to donate it to someone who needs it more than me, especially in this cold weather.
@Rayboy! Excellent comment! Even i have experienced the same thing! I have given some good dresses to my office boys, what they do is they resale it or exchange it for something else. It’s hard to make a distinction on who is the needy in Kuwait. There are lot of needy people, but due to the exploits of a small minority they never get the attention that the deserve.
I agree with you, certain people who misuse people’s generosity give the rest of the needy a bad name.
@Mathai – Thanks for the info. Will call them…
@Rayboy – Yeah, you have a point. There are many people exploiting those who helps the community. Keeping them apart, there is a majority who needs the support. Take it this way, you pray to god for a better job. It is not that you don’t have one, but you want to improve your condition. So if there is something you want to give, you should give it irrespective of the fact that there could be some rotten eggs. It is true and I agree that it is discouraging when you hear the not so good utilization of the resources you given.
I’m glad you see it that way.infact a lot of people at the office asked how I’d make sure that the needy received it. I cannot guarantee that but at least I did my part
I also did some digging around on Operation Hope, they’ve helped a lot of people in the past and have received a lot of support from N.E.C.K and concerned expats.
I would like to re-blog this at my blog. Hope you are ok with it.
sure! no problem
Thanks. Posted in the homepage
Greetings ~ I’ve just had a read of your post and the comments it generated. First off, I’d like to thank you for getting the word out. It’s important for folks, both local & expats, to know there is a vehicle for which to reach Kuwait’s neediest population. We at OH never really know whether what we’ve given to the needy is used for their comfort or if it is re-sold. I suppose the answer wouldn’t change my desire to help others. I’m doing what I feel the Lord, my God has called me to do. I’m serving. I hope you and your commentators will join us! We welcome you.
Blessings,
Sheryll Mairza
Founder / Director
Operation HOPE – Kuwait
http://www.operation-hope-kuwait.com
Hi … is HOPE still in operation. I’d like to donate clothes, toys etc for the needy. Please let me know where to contact. Also is there any facility of pick up or do i have to personally drop all the stuff someplace.
Thanks
Ruchi
hi there, i would also like to donate some old clothing, please let me know where. thanks