Some of the volunteers who worked tirelessly to help others in need. (Courtesy photo)JEDDAH: Kai Fitness Center thursday honored 45 leading flood volunteers here by providing them with free short-term memberships at its fitness clubs. “It is elementary to support and show appreciation to the volunteers. This will encourage them to enhance their efforts. We hope this also encourages others to do selfless work for the community,” Mohammed Bakhrieba, Marketing Manager at Kai, told Saudi Gazette. Over 3,000 volunteers were involved in providing relief and support to victims of the Jeddah flood. They played a major role in supporting men, women and children who were stranded either at schools, offices or on the streets. The relief efforts continued for upto two weeks after the flood that left the city in a limbo, damaging roads, homes and infrastructure. Badr Al-Shibani, the founder of Kai said: “Advocacy and communication of the youth would definitely impact our future. I would love to see every individual taking part in social development; they are doing a remarkable job already! I'm keen to witness other companies and civil establishments take the same slope to make this change happen.” Rayan Karkadan, a volunteer coordinator, said the culture of volunteering should shape talents of individuals. “What Kai has done is great, it is a step in the right direction.” Stop TB campaign, which also had a stall at the Jeddah Exhibition Center and was actively involved in providing medical support to flood victims, gave away the awards to three of their volunteers. Hatem Mohammed, one of the active volunteers who with his friends helped save 45 lives on Black Wednesday, told Saudi Gazette, “I love volunteering and I do it to help people in need. The floods traumatized many, I met with my friends and we made sure we could do whatever it takes to restore people's lives.” He said they never craved for any reward or recognition. “We are grateful to all the organizations who recognize our efforts,” he said. Hatem and his colleagues is producing a documentary that will showcase Jeddah's volunteer work.
