One person makes a difference: Volunteer leads the way to making Kuwait better

By Faten Omar

KUWAIT: Serving to the neighborhood is a noble endeavor that has the ability to result in optimistic change. Yousef Al-Omran, often known as Bu Jarrah, believes collaborating in neighborhood initiatives and supporting social causes by dedicating his time, expertise and assets will contribute to creating Kuwait higher. “Small change will change the nation; there are quite a few methods to make a distinction and create a collective influence that fosters a stronger and extra harmonious nation. One particular person can influence society. Small issues depend,” he advised Kuwait Occasions.

Bu Jarrah’s voluntary initiatives have gone viral on social media, attracting residents and residents to get extra concerned locally. “The concept began after I noticed the variety of complaints on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. I discovered that there was a adverse vibe, and was affected by the quantity of adverse ideas, making me depressed. Individuals have been complaining and recording the negatives of Kuwait for views, which isn’t acceptable,” he stated.

The concept of “change” got here to Bu Jarrah 4 years in the past, however precise implementation started in February, when he noticed a flag of Kuwait in pale colours on a bridge in Mahboula. “The individuals of Kuwait are drained and hopeless. They’ve been ready for change for years, and there was no hope. After they noticed a easy citizen like me who wished to alter the considering of a society to not complain, however be the reason for change and be optimistic — that attracted them. I’m satisfied that one individual can affect 10 individuals, and 10 can affect over 100, and the 100 can influence your entire inhabitants,” he defined.

The neighborhood has interacted effectively with Bu Jarrah’s initiatives. “I don’t need to tarnish the picture of Kuwait or the federal government, and all actions are carried out with permits. That is what I did with the primary initiative to repaint the flag of Kuwait on the bridge. I obtained a allow from the municipality and the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Assets, whereas the inside ministry supplied a police patrol,” he stated.

Bu Jarrah indicated he began his initiative individually, however after he uploaded the video of repainting the flag on Nationwide Day, there was nice interplay from the Kuwaiti individuals. In his subsequent initiative, greater than 500 volunteers — aged, youngsters and folks with disabilities — joined and supported him. “There have been even non-public corporations on the waitlist, ready for my concepts to contribute to implement them on the bottom,” he advised Kuwait Occasions.

In his newest initiative to fill potholes, almost 1,000 individuals got here at midnight to assist. Bu Jarrah had not anticipated this a lot effort by residents and residents from all segments of society, searching for to assist and serve Kuwait. “An organization from the non-public sector even supplied us with high-quality supplies to assist fill the potholes with the most effective supplies. There may be nice hope that Kuwait would be the most lovely nation,” he stated. “Filling potholes is among the initiatives that folks interacted with essentially the most, as a result of it is among the points that they’re most affected by. The variety of views of the video reached 1.2 million on TikTok and 300,000 on Instagram,” he added.

In one other initiative, Bu Jarrah tore down a 10-year-old bus station and constructed a brand new one for riders. “I’ll work on establishing an establishment to coordinate and safe a whole crew. I’m at the moment working with my household, the place my mom does the praying half for luck, my brothers for the administration, my father for logistics and my sisters to assist distribute water through the initiatives,” he stated.

“I’ll set up enjoyable and aggressive initiatives sooner or later. I’ll work on championships between residents of assorted areas to make them compete in beautifying their space with a given finances, to ship a message that everybody can change their environment. I’ll launch this initiative in winter,” he revealed.

Bu Jarrah referred to as on individuals to alter somewhat than complain, as a result of Kuwait deserves it. “The change begins with you. With a easy act like eradicating the trash off the street, a baby might even see this and do the identical. Individuals ought to expertise the pleasure of giving. The pleasure of accomplishment can change melancholy with internal peace. We should ship a optimistic message to the younger era to present and alter,” he concluded.