AUK's Hope Club Inspires

The American University of Kuwait's Hope Club organized its first event December 16, 2010 titled 'Giving Them Hope'. This event meant to encourage students and visitors in endorsing Hope's journey and mission of helping others and understanding them. The invitation for this event extended to the students' families as well. 

Hope Club is one of AUK's newest organizations meant to give students an overview of opportunities to do humanitarian work, and experience the rewards of service and the unique spirit of partnership. Their ultimate goal being that more and more AUK students participate in volunteer opportunities and be inspired by the ideas and events of the club as they contribute towards society. The participation of the students allowed them to delve into a world that wasn't their own, and understand the different ways that they could involve themselves in humanitarian. 

Rana Abdel Hamid, the event's host, began by introducing the Club's President, Mohammad Abu-Mazen who gave a short speech saying, "We will do our best to put smiles on as many faces as we can." 

Following Abu-Mazen's speech, Rana invited guest speaker Dr. Samia Al-Muttawa to present the audience with an inspiring speech in Arabic about the importance of volunteering. Dr. Al-Muttawa, who is currently involved in several projects aimed at helping those with no homes, and those who are unable to support themselves in getting an education, concluded her speech by explaining the importance of the projects and encouraged students to do some volunteer work by firstly involving themselves in the Hope Club. 

A slideshow presentation followed highlighting some of the Club's activities including a visit to Sabah Hospital for Children. The club members interacted with the children who suffered from Leukemia. Bringing along toys and painting equipment, the members sat with the children for a few hours. The slide show offered the audience a glimpse into what kind of events and projects the Hope Club is in involved in. 

The evening concluded with a play written by AUK Students Yousef Nayef, and Lujain Abu-Zaid. This play titled "Old Papers," told the story of an old man, whose children resorted to taking him to a nursing home. The story focused on how the man's life was changed by the volunteers who began assisting him in the nursing home and the importance of what they did. Directed by Hisham Wayem, the play cast Mennatallah A Abdul-Hamid, Razan Farhat, Mohammad Nedal, Ousamah Farra, and Sara Raji. 
 

Images from the event