Abdullah Interviews K4K Team

I am so proud of all the participants who graced p0ach’s front page, all of them, no exception.

These guys, however, graced my heart, they wore my out, I have no words describing how proud I am of them, their families, Loyac and everybody who helped them in their journey including ZAIN.

I have always wanted to go and participate over there, always always had thoughts, never knew how, Im glad to tell you that now there is a way, I have attached a link down there where you could know who to contact and what to expect.

They went there, all of them teens, all of them with big hopes to help, participate, give, share and most of all LOVE.

Girls, you represented kindness, a human touch, a passionate sister for these kids. Most importantly though, you represented Kuwaiti women. I saw the pics, I was moved. I thank you.

Boys, what can I say, to be protective of your fellow voulnteers in that country, took care of the kids, build what you had to build, taught the children. That means your MEN, not the dictionary definition but a real man’s value. I thank you !

Faisal Al-Failakawi has been chosen by the group to represent them and was kind enough to follow up with me through E-mail these past two weeks.

Please read on, be proud of each and everyone one of them, wear a smile, make it big, its worth it !

Faisal, introduce yourself, the team.

My name is Faisal Al-Failakawi. I’m a seventeen year old high school student. I graduate next year and planning on studying architecture in college. I had the pleasure to join “Kuwait for Kenya” a year after it was found through LoYAC’s summer program. I’ve been a volunteer since 2007 and now I’m the secretary of the executive committee. I haven’t had the chance to go to Kenya yet, but I’m planning on joining my fellow members on the 2010 trip. Even though I haven’t gone on the trip, I have been an active member here in Kuwait raising funds and organizing events as well.

Go back, way back in time, a bit of childhood flashes.

Well since I’m still 17, I guess I wouldn’t have to go that far for the flashes. In school I always used to be the one who gets involved in all the school events and activities. I’m always either helping on organizing the event or be a part of it. Going to Kenya won’t be the first time I travel by myself since I’ve been to Malaysia with “Al Ruwad” group before, so hopefully going to Kenya won’t be a difficulty.

What inspired you to tap into these projects ?

I have to say that my parents were the ones who inspired me the most. My mother always says” Always try to make a change in the world” and my father says” What do you want to be remembered by when you leave this world”.

Talk about the project, give us the who, what, why, when and where.

Well our last project, K4K, was our 2009 trip this summer. Sara AlDirbas, Genan Dashti, Amna Dashti, Faisal AlShawa, Dala AlFuwaires, Willy Mathews, and Dari AlHuwail, K4K’s President, went to Mombasa, Kenya, and achieved the following:

Child Development Center (CDC):?Built a new kitchen and dining hall to seat 75+ students.

Mombasa Youth Counseling Center (MYCC): Upgraded the HIV laboratory and the VCT center, Painted the center’s exterior.

Goodwill Academy: Purchasing new student desks and teacher’s tables.

Training & Education (300+ students): Arts, CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Football and sports, Mad Science, Facts about Kuwait

7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.

Since it’s the members’ first time, they experienced and learned a lot during the trip, here is Sara’s reaction:

“1st of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to share that wonderful experience with the world it was indeed an honor for me to be part of K4K and serve the world. I’ve always dreamt of Africa and working there, it was why I chose medical field. But LoYAC and K4K made my dream come true sooner than I thought and I can’t express how thankful I am for such a chance. K4K’s 2009 trip was indeed an experience of a life time, a chance to learn, teach and give back to the world. The experience has touched me deeply in so many ways, taught me that in life, there are far more important things than money and material. One of my most memorable experiences is our arrival at Goodwill Academy… the way the students ran towards the van, cheering for us, how they fought for our hands to hold, the huge smile on their faces… It got us all emotional; they welcomed us like heroes… I’d never forget that feeling… to know that you made some one happy, only if it was for a while… It was amazing!”

And here is what Faisal AlShawa said:

“Well basically this trip was the best thing I did in my life. When you go out to Kenya and see how life is in a third world country it makes you appreciate the life were living and appreciate what Kuwait offers us. The amazing thing about Kenyans, though, is that although they do not have as much, they are still very happy and would not want to change one thing about their lives. They are all genuinely happy and friendly. In addition, when you look at the way they are living it makes you want to work harder in life to become successful and live comfortably and hopefully not fall into poverty. I think that is all I have to say.”

What was your challenge ?

The challenge for me was that since the beginning, I was the youngest member in the committee. So it was a little difficult to keep up between school and volunteering, though I kept school as a priority I managed to work it out with both, Hamdilla. For the committee, finding volunteers who could manage between our work and their personal work was the challenge for us. Yet we gave the volunteers a chance to compromise between the both.

How do you see the competition ?

Our aim is not to compete. We are all trying to send a message which is stated in our logo” Love to Help…Live to Give”. If anything we are trying to set an example for others to follow and hopefully complement our work.

Your support system.

My family has been my main support. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have made it this far.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now ?

Finishing my studies in college Enshalla, and volunteering in most of the countries in the world, since K4K is permanent divisional project under the K4W (Kuwait for the World) initiative.

Throw something for p0ach readers !

I advise all the readers to give something back to the world. You’re never too young and it’s never too late. I also advise you all to follow what our prophet said: “Love for your brother what you love for yourself”.

Participate, contact and/or give your feedback HERE.

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