Around 500 workers benefited from Manama Rotary Club’s (RCM) annual biryani project staged yesterday, coinciding with Labour Day.
The volunteer charity tied up with a local restaurant to distribute meals to individuals residing at a labour camp in Askar.
The project will be followed by a series of other community events, including a reusable shopping bags distribution at LuLu Hypermarket in The Avenues-Bahrain tomorrow.
The programme is a continuation of the ‘Impact for Good’ initiative launched by RCM in February, in keeping with its goal for sustainability.
Reusable bags are intended to make it easier for individuals and families to reduce reliance on single-use plastics and adopt more sustainable daily habits. Additionally, they are durable, washable, and practical for everyday use.
The first activation under the initiative produced 5,000 reusable cotton grocery bags, which are being distributed to citizens and residents at Al Jazira and LuLu supermarkets over a period of three months.
“One of our mottos is to be people of action, which means we are here to serve the community,” RCM community services director Dr Anne-Laure Renard told the GDN.
She highlighted that the club’s projects do not just focus on raising funds, but also on acts of service by giving one’s time and efforts to the public. According to the licensed psychologist and philanthropist, many new volunteers across ages have recently joined the group, nodding to the humanitarian spirit among residents.
Founded in 1965, RCM presently has 63 members who actively participate in key community projects, with the aim of contributing towards societal needs. The club’s initiatives support a wide range of causes, from sustainability to health and children’s issues.
“We had planned our annual voucher distribution for children from underprivileged families. Unfortunately, due to the recent conflict, we had to postpone it. We will be doing it during Eid Al Adha,” she revealed.
A combined Rotary event featuring gergaoun festivities is also planned this month, details for which will be announced at a later date.
Last year, RCM organised a range of programmes supporting varied causes – from fighting the menace of single-use plastics and championing maternal and child health to uplifting schoolchildren’s well-being, and fortifying food security for families in need.
In December, they raised BD25,000 with their annual Six-A-Side Football Tournament with proceeds from the event used to support the club’s initiatives.
“We have been working closely with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Medical University of Bahrain for many years where students stage diabetes awareness campaigns in schools,” Ms Renard said.
“We came up with a booklet for the pupils to raise awareness and also provided them with a van and all the material when they visit the local schools. We have also been working with the Health Ministry to distribute breast pumps to expecting working mothers,” Ms Renard added.
Those interested in supporting the programmes can follow @rotaryclubofmanama on Instagram.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
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