The National Retirement Association, at a function here in Roshan Mall on Sunday, honored female retirees and it was announced that a walkway has been constructed to enable retirees to engage in the sport of walking away from the “risks and harassment” that exist on the city's streets. The NRA, a voluntary association working under the umbrella of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is helping members of the Jeddah Retirement Society enjoy active lives by dedicating a one-kilometer footpath within the mall for the use of its members and the general public. According to Dr. Fouad Bogary, president of the Jeddah Retirement Society, the initiative is part of the efforts to help retirees spend a fruitful life after having served the nation for so many years. “The Society aims to help retirees not only economically but also socially and culturally,” he said. Dr. Bogary added that the Society is trying to build a bridge of cooperation between it and the retirees who are “a wealth that we should all preserve and learn from.” He said that there are around 600,000 male and female retirees in the Kingdom, 75 percent of whom have retired from government service. “We have to find job opportunities for them by creating fruitful relations between the Society and the private sector. Moreover, there should be a database for these retirees through which we can market these people's experience, which I believe is a real treasure that we can proudly offer to the country,” Bogary told Saudi Gazette. He added that they do not want retirees to take up the jobs that they once did but rather to work as consultants and planners. “Young people are responsible for filling job positions,” he said. The 400-member Jeddah Retirement Society will now have a proper, safe, secure and comfortable place wherein they can exercise and engage in sporting activities. The unveiling of the walkway was attended by Dr. Bogary, and Samirah Yousef Tarabulsi, Vice President of the Society. On this occasion, Elham Bafarat, Director of Women's Activities at “Kinan”, the owner of Roshan Mall, said that they decided to dedicate this walkway in response to the aspirations of the members of the Jeddah Retirement Society who wanted to have a safe and comfortable place for their exercise, in particular walking, which is a beneficial and appropriate sport for older people. “This is a leading initiative in Saudi Arabia and goes to show our commitment to serve the surrounding community while not affecting our business,” she said. Amal Deema, a retired school headmistress, told Saudi Gazette that the most important need of retirees is medical insurance. “We should also be privileged when joining the private sector. As for me, I can continue serving my country even without money, on the condition that I am given the right job, such as an adviser, a career that is commensurate with my experience,” she added.
