December 2015 www.womanthismonth.com 31 The Palm Association actions and events as part of the 15th Anniversary celebrations: - Festive lunch on December 10 at the Four Seasons Hotel. Guest speaker is Shaikha Hind Al Khalifa. - The Palm Ball on April 14, 2016. - Annual Swim gala end of April 2016. - A 2016 calendar with beautiful black and white images of Bahrain life. The Palm Association’s Adopt-A-Family initiative will soon be launched, wherein one can ‘adopt’ a family for a month, a few months or a year by sponsoring their monthly rations for that period of time. The Palm Association also goes that extra mile to foster the spirit of giving in school children through its School Outreach Programmes. Karen says: “It is so important for children to get involved in charity right from an early age.” In keeping with the adage ‘teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime’, the Palm Association helps Bahraini youth get education or vocational training. As part of a five-year endeavour, it has enabled a number of deserving students to study medicine and nursing at the RCSI Bahrain. “The students who have completed their degrees are working in Bahrain’s hospitals, supporting their own families and, in turn, offering their services to the whole community,” says Karen. “This ripple effect is our true reward.” Raising funds and getting individuals to be involved in their projects has become an uphill task, given the global economy. “Many of those we help have nothing in their houses; just a piece of cardboard for a bed and a small stove to cook on,” says Maria. The duo tell us how heartbreaking their work can be. “Sometimes we have to turn down some families, just because we don’t have the funds.” They are urging people to step up and help the needy. A sum of BD20 may sound paltry, but for some it can be a ray of hope to tide them through the month. The association also encourages those with vocational skills to get involved and volunteer with ongoing projects. g The Palm Association committee members.
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