Sufara Al-Tatawue (Ambassadors of Volunteerism) is a nonprofit organization set up by a group of young Saudis four years ago to carry out various charitable activities during the holy month of Ramadan to promote the "culture of giving". This Ramadan it wants to organize iftar programs for new Muslim women and the elderly as well as for the inmates of reformatories to bring happiness on their faces and give them a feeling that there are people who value them and take care of them. Khalil Abuteem, leader of the group, said his organization was working to achieve humanitarian, social and national objectives that would serve the community and deepen a culture of volunteerism among young Saudi men and women. "We formed this organization in Shaaban 1433 AH with some 50 youths as members. After a year we formed its women's wing on Ramadan 17, 1434 AH. At present we have a strength of more than 650 men and women," Abuteem told Al-Madina Arabic daily. Speaking about voluntary initiatives of the Saudi youth, he said: "I am happy to see that the culture of volunteerism is spreading among the youth across the Kingdom. This is a great thing. Youth initiatives in the field of volunteerism are marvelous and I am sure it would have a big impact on the community." He called upon charitable and humanitarian foundations to extend moral and material support to voluntary youth initiatives to encourage them to engage in welfare activities. Hiba Abuteem, coordinator of the team, emphasized Sufara Al-Tatawue's desire to organize a variety of programs this Ramadan, most importantly breaking fast with newly converted Muslim women and elderly women. "We also intend to distribute sweets and Eid clothes at the end of Ramadan." The organization distributes food baskets among the needy families just before Ramadan. "This year we distributed 900 food baskets with 32 different types of foodstuffs," she added. Nabeela Al-Dari, a team member, spoke about the organization's future plans and projects. "We intend to spread a culture of volunteerism with the support of media. We want to enhance the community's awareness on social work to promote love, affection and cooperation in society to earn the pleasure of Allah," she explained.
