Seven Bahraini youngsters have joined forces to help thousands of orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa.
The Promise Africa founders, all women aged between 19 and 24, have launched a campaign to help transform the lives of those in poverty by holding a variety of fundraising events.
The campaigners, from different walks of life, have requested to remain anonymous.
They held their second fundraising event at the Umm Al Darda'a Society, Zinj during Ramadan and are now planning to make it an annual event.
The charity event offered a wide variety of products for sale including jalabiyas, abayas, clothes, accessories, organic beauty products, gifts, traditional food and sweets.
Children also decorated bulbs and T-shirts, collected toys and bought Eid gifts for African children, and selected cards to be sent with them.
The event, titled Muslima 2009, aimed to target young Muslim women, and raise awareness about becoming a better person through reliving historic Islamic stories and seeking to find the wisdom portrayed in Prophet Mohammed's life.
It was sponsored by Speezo, McDonald's and Just Perfect which contributed towards the catering and made donations.
"Poverty has been the cause of death worldwide, with more than eight million people affected," said one of the organisers.
"Africa has been the most affected continent and as citizens of the world, we have the responsibility to take action.
"We took this to heart and decided to act.
"The holy month of Ramadan often ignites in Muslims the spirit of giving and helping others, and we immediately began planning and organising a charity lecture and bazaar.
"Following the success of the event, we're now looking forward to working together on similar projects in the future.
"The feeling of helping others is tremendously satisfying."
Training
The organisers declined to reveal how much money had been raised at the event but said the amount raised and the gifts would be forwarded to the Direct Aid charity in Kuwait, which will distribute them.
Among the causes adopted by the organisation include supporting a welding workshop to train orphans, a farm to create income for an orphanage and an educational waqf (Endowment) or charitable property.
aneeqa@gdn.com.bh
