Friday, December 20, 2013

Condelence at Operation HOPE Dec 21,830 am - 10 am

Dear all

We are saddened to share about the passing of someone very special to Operation HOPE Kuwait.

The wife of our only employee Das died yesterday due to a massive heart attack.

In lieu of our usual Saturday activities we will friends and volunteers of OH gather to condole Das for his great loss tomorrow at our premises from 8:30 - 10 am.

We are currently in the process of completing the necessary formalities so that Mary may be laid to rest in her homeland of Kerala, India. Das will not only accompany her remains back to India, he will remain there to care for their daughters.

He has been an integral part of our mission's work as he is the point of contact person who carries everyone's donations onto our premises week after week.

If you wish to gift Das with financial support there will be a basket near the door where we are receiving condolers. While this is NOT necessary it would be greatly appreciated so that he may continue to care for his family in India upon his return.

PLEASE NOTE that Esther's Attic will be closed hence this saturday. We would resume next saturday Dec 28th at 830 am. Until then we would continue to receive donations on saturdays and tuesdays anytime before 7pm.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

An update on Jay Shankar, Landmine victim.



Dear Folks,

It is often believed that the little pleasures of life come in small unexpected packages and moments of life. In the peak of the winter time these days we recently recieved one such piece of information that warmed our hearts....


You may remember Mr. Jay Shankar, the shepperd who had an unfrotunate landmine accident in Kuwait earlier this year and who Operation HOPE initiated to help through its humble monthly contribution of KD 50 to support his family expenses during this ordeal.

You will be happy to know that Jay went home to India 2 months ago where he joined his family and dear ones. He is now in the process of trying to revive a new chapter in his life.

Jay makes a short call to us each month from India when he receives the money. The last month he put his older son on the phone and asked them to say "thank you" in English to us. Needless to say it was a very heart warming and encouraging experience for us.

Since the time this incident has happened, Operation HOPE will have supported Jay for a total of 9 months.
We want to thank you, the community at large who have supported our mission to support Jay during this time. As we continue to reach out to more such domestics within Kuwait, we look forward to your support.

Thank you for letting us experience so many of these little happy moments. We are blessed.

Operation HOPE interacts with visitors at the Holiday Bazaar in Salwa Al Ahmed Ballroom, Marina.



Operation HOPE's booth at the recent Holiday bazaar saw several visitors that interacted with us to understand more about what we have been upto on our current and upcoming initiatives. Thanks to our enthusiastic volunteers Ann, Annike,Vachan, Stewart, Zainab, Marina and Freida that manned the tables between the hours of 1030 am - 8pm.


Vote of thanks to the UPS volunteers.



A special shoutout and thanks to the UPS volunteers that helped orchestrate a smooth distribution last week with the winter bags at the distribution centre. We appreciate you for the support extended to us.


Winter Warmth Campaign 2013

Dear beloved community and supporters of Operation HOPE,

You will be pleased to know that we successfully completed our Winter Warmth Outreach Program. Thus far, thanks to the amazing and committed volunteers, we have

Packed: 2,412 winter hampe
rs ( a little more than 100% of targeted 2400 bags)
Distributed: 2,350 winter hampers

The weather has begun to cool down considerably and our winter hampers couldn't have been distributed at a more appropriate time.

We continue to be grateful for all the support from the student and corporate volunteers which so far have included students from AIS, ASK, GUST, ACA, Boy scouts, Dasman Model School and the volunteers from UPS and other corporations!
 
 







Thursday, December 5, 2013

OH Attends BLS Holiday Bazaar at BSK.





OH recently manned a booth at the BLS bazaar in BSK where it interacted with sections of the community about its ongoing winter and other relief initiatives towards the community. We thank our volunteers Kathleen Nicholson, Farah al Ali, Shereen Al buloushi, Ann John, Zainab Mirza, Annike Jones who manned the table during the bazaar. A special thanks goes out to James White who had a table of PS3 and Xbox games through which all sales proceeds were handed to Operation HOPE as a means to support its winter warmth initiatives. What a blessed event!

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Winter Warmth Update.



Dear beloved community and supporters of Operation HOPE,

You will be pleased to know that we are in week 4 of our Winter Warmth Outreach Program. Thus far, thanks to the amazing and committed volunteers, we have

Packed: 2,400 winter hampers (100% of targeted 2400 bags)
Distributed:    1,775  winter hampers (74% of targeted 2400)

The weather has begun to cool down considerably and our winter hampers couldn't have been distributed at a more appropriate time.

In this last week, we are aiming to distribute the remaining of our hampers and with that, by the grace of God, we will have warmly touched the lives of 2400 domestic expats in Kuwait this year.
 
We continue to be grateful for all the support from the student and corporate volunteers which so far have included students from AIS, ASK, GUST, ACA, Boy scouts, Dasman Model School and the volunteers from UPS and other corporations!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Winter Warmth 2013 Packing kicks off at HOPE House.


OH kicked off the 2013 Winter Warmth Campaign yesterday with the packing of the first batch of winter hamper bags. A Huge round of thanks and appreciation to the great volunteer turn out from the Boy scouts under the supervision of scout coordinator Ryan Buist, the students from GUST and other volunteers from the community that joined to successfully pack 660 bags!


We also thank our exemplary volunteers from AIS (David, Syed, Ahmed) and the ASK volunteer group under Ms Lauren’s super vision along with Chita, Ann, Jason  who helped us champion through a busy day at Esther’s and sorting the incoming donations!

What a productive day at HOPE house.
Thank you all once again.
Please watch out for updates on the next packing activity scheduled for next Saturday

















Thursday, October 31, 2013

Volunteers needed for Esther's Attic.


Dear volunteers,
Esther's Attic is now open for a new season and more than ever we need hands on board to help us with the smooth operations while our other endeavours of winter warmth are in progress.
Should you be interested to volunteer please send us an email in this regard.
We need volunteers for the following slots: 

 Slot 1 8:00 am - 9:30 am
 Slot 2 9:30 am - 11:00 am


Volunteer jobs would include
  • manning the shop floor,
  • steaming the sorted donations and organising clothing racks,
  • sorting and filtering through donations and storage items,
  • helping at the check out counter and other logistics work within HOPE house.
Time and again we look forward to your support.The following are the dates we require your help with shifts. Kindly communicate which date of your convenience should you wish to volunteer for the above mentioned hours.

Timetable for volunteer shifts for Nov - Dec 2013. Date for Volunteer Orientation would be announced shortly as well.
 Sat Nov 2 8:00 am - 9:30 am 9:30 am - 11:00 am
 Sat Nov 9
 Sat Nov16
 Sat Nov 23
 Sat Nov 30
 Sat Nov 7
 Sat Nov 14
 Sat Nov 21
 Sat Nov 28
 We look forward to your support as always.

Esther's Attic now open for a new season every Saturday 830 am - 11 am




Esther's Attic is now open for a new season
every Saturday from 8:30 am - 11 am.
 
Please come visit us and explore the great finds in our reuse boutique from great books, clothing items to household goods and other finds.
 
Your presence and support to our reuse boutique would contribute towards our upcoming Winter warmth initiative aiming to target the distribution of over 2000 winter bags to street workers this winter.
 
We look forward to your visits.
 
OH team


OH volunteers spread the mission's message at AUK's " refuse to be ordinary event"

Operation HOPE attended AUK's refuse to be ordinary event today as part of the university outreach event. The university's theme as part of its 10 year anniversary " 10 acts of kindness" was at the events focal point.

We thank our dedicated...
volunteers Sarah Bechtold, Farah Ali, Shereen Al Buloushi, Farah Al Ali and Amira peter who manned the OH booth to connect with students on campus and highlight volunteering oppurtunities for the upcoming winter warmth initiative.

Thank you for supporting and visiting our booth!

 
Volunteers Farah ali and Farah al Ali kicking off at the AUK event " refuse to be ordinary" to connect with students on campus with OH volunteer oppurtunities

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Eid Break.

How many of you’ll are loving the sudden drop in temperature? : )  we are sure most of you’ll are atleast if you’ll are still not nursing the seasonal flu.
As the country gets geared for a long Eid Break, Operation HOPE is also scheduled for a short break away for some recharge time.

 We would be closed from Oct 12th – Oct 20th
We would be reopening on Oct 26th when Esther’s Attic would be open for a new season. Until then we wish you all a blessed and Safe Eid.
Eid Mubarak Everyone.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

OH thanks Team GUST for an efficient set up for the Yard Sale.


To the GUST team that came along with Dr Janet yest evening from 4pm - 6pm , we Thank you for being so amazing and hands on in sorting through a room ful of donations, seting up the yard for the same tom and your generous cash donations. You guys represent the bright future of this country and we respect you for going the extra mile today to help the OH mission. Kudos team GUST!

Operation HOPE thanks the community for a successful Yard Sale


We were blessed by a sea of purple donation bags the morning of our Yard sale. Thank you to the Fedex team that did a corporate wide donation drive for clothes, toiletries, canned food items and toys for Operation HOPE . We were overwhelmed by the affection that you'll garnered through this donation drive.

Thank you to our volunteer Ms. Marina Mcguire for overseeing the entire sorting initiative with the FedEx team at HOPE House for its successful distribution to the embassy shelter.



The Fedex team ready to take off for the distribution of clothing and food donation to the embassy shelter yesterday morning while a busy morning of the yard sale at HOPE house. We are grateful for their coordinated efforts in such a fruitful distribution 

A Special thanks to our dedicated baker volunteer Ms. Julia Sager for the yummies that were donated for our volunteers.



Ms Erin with her students volunteering during the yard sale

 
OH volunteer Christian braving the heat and dutifully being the traffic matron during shopping hours


Dear Scouts and Scout Parents of BSA Troop 965,we are thankful to you to help us get through a successful yard sale. From helping visitors carry their purchases, donations, helping the team at the check out counter to being enthusiastic sales personnel, the scouts were versatile in their roles. We look forward to having you'l back soon for our winter warmth campaign.


The amazing ASK team coordinated through Ms Erin were present at the yard sale to help the Operation HOPE team with manning tables and other logistics. We thank you young spirits for braving the morning heat and helping us out!

  

Dedicated Scout Daniel waiting to help a visitor load purchases



 Volunteers in action during the yard sale


Volunteer Wael and Das with AIS  Student volunteers Davide and Syed helping wrap up for the day 

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Operation HOPE Yard Sale Oct 5th, 2013




Operation HOPE Yard Sale
Saturday, Oct 5, 2013
7 am – 11 am, Rumaithiya, Block 9, Street 92, House 23

Yes …that’s right..It's here again! Post all the waiting.
Operation HOPE is scheduled for its Yard Sale to kick off a new season. From Household items, books, CD’s, DVD’s, an eclectic array of knick-knacks, furnishings, a host of children’s toys, clothing for both genders and all ages and lots, lots more! So mark your calendars, because we will be looking forward to seeing you!
If you wish to donate any gently used items towards the sale, please be informed that donations will be received until 12 pm Oct 4th at OH premises. Kindly contact us at 99375613 or hope@ohkuwait.org for queries.
PLEASE NOTE:  To be respectful of the neighbourhood parking space, we would appreciate if you would kindly park your vehicle next to the cooperative ahead on the street of HOPE house. Please check with an OH volunteer on your arrival

Monday, September 23, 2013

Psst...Yard Sale around the corner..


Guess what...the Operation HOPE yard sale is just around the corner.

Watch this space for more updates : )

Cheerios

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Saturday Sorting hours continue at HOPE House.



Volunteers continue to meet every Saturday from 730 am – 830 am to sort through the weekly donations at HOPE house in Rumaithiya, block 9, st 92 house 23. 



However, We continue to require more hands on board, with the opening of our re use boutique just around the corner plus our winter warmth initative upcoming.  So should you be interested in joining the team or getting a school group coordinated to come and help us, please get in touch with us on

Monday, September 16, 2013

Operation HOPE bids farewell to landmine victim Jayashankar

Volunteers Carol and Rama  sharing a light moment with Jayashankar before biding farewell

Operation HOPE Kuwait recently bid farewell to Pachaimuthu Jayasankar. In February 2013, while herding sheep in Jahra Desert, Jayasankar met with an unfortunate accident by a land mine explosion when he unknowingly stepped on the mine. As a result, he lost both his legs as well as eyesight.

On learning of his situation, Operation HOPE’s involvement came defined in a humble format of supporting his basic needs while confined in Kuwait until his departure to India through providing his family with a monthly allowance to cater to the everyday needs (like food and children’s school fees) of his wife and 2 sons.

With the help of the generous cash donations raised through the community and efforts garnered from volunteers, Operation HOPE Kuwait had the honor to do this along with regular monthly visits while he was confined for his treatment in the PMR (Physiotherapy) hospital.

Thanks to the generosity of benefactors from the community, Operation HOPE has and continues to honor its commitment to provide Jai with a monthly allowance of KD 50 towards his current medical requirements and his family’s needs for a period of 1 year. As he prepares to leave for India, volunteers put together a little care bag for him with a few goodies for his family along with some cash in hand.

Jai expressed his sincere appreciation for our care and support all through these months.

We continue to be in awe of his positive attitude and the glimmer of HOPE he shows for the next phase in his life. We also continue to be overwhelmed by the support that continues to pour in from the community in both monetary and non monetary terms and allow Operation HOPE the privilege to adopt such causes.

We thank you all. Thank you for continuously being our glimmer of HOPE. 


                             
                                               Volunteers sharing a moment with Jayashankar




Thursday, September 12, 2013

Packing over 150 Toileteries for embassy shelter




Last Saturday a group of dedicated volunteers loaned us their weekend sleep time during the early morning wee hours. For what cause you may ask? To pack over 150 toiletries bags to be distributed at the Philippines embassy shelter. Simultaneously, with the help of volunteers we were also able to sort and pack clothing donations.
A special thanks to our volunteers Sara, Ann, Zainab, Betul, Noor, Chita, Marina, Nicola, Daniella and her folks, Safdar, Annike, June, Daas and Marina who did an awesome job in making it a productive morning.
We owe it to you’ll great folks.