Tuesday 21 / May / 2024
Giving an orphan a place to call home and a family to love and be loved is one of the most rewarding experiences one could ever go through, and it is, without a doubt, a deed that ranks way up on God’s list of rewards. Meet Alyaa Al Makhzoumi, founder and head of Basmat Amal, a charity organisation committed to lending a helping hand to children in need of families, as well as poor folks and their communities.
With a determined mind and a big heart, Alyaa always felt she needed to be part of something greater than just existing; she wanted to live and serve those who truly needed a hand. So starting a charity organisation was a given. In May of 2013, Alyaa put together a team of keen volunteers and formed a team under the name of Basmat Amal (which translates to hope, or a smile of hope) aiming to do a number of things, varying from helping families in terrible condition around Muscat, to bringing hope back to motherless children. “The main goal was and still is to help and serve our community,” said Alyaa. The organisation is situated on the outskirts of Maabela in the Wilayat of Seeb.
The importance of giving back to society runs in Alyaa’s veins, and it will remain the same forever. “There’s nothing in this life more beautiful than people giving others valuable things without any exchange. Saving these people from loss and life struggles is a precious deed.” Since the launch of her charity, it has been an educational journey for her and her peers, and that is what makes people seek out volunteering opportunities, as they contribute to perfecting and strengthening the volunteers’ skills, as well as building communities and uplifting social relations.
“Community service helps prepare the volunteers for a better future, and it certainly is a means of renaissance for the society,” said Alyaa. Alyaa is also a firm believer in dedicating time for others, which gives life a whole new meaning. “There is nothing more precious to mankind than time and money, but giving part of our time to others, or giving them part of our money is better than the world and what’s in it.”
The organisation’s main focus is helping orphans, but it also represents other forms of charitable work, which includes helping poor families, distribution of food, offering household maintenance services, organising Ramadan Iftars, beach cleaning, a variety of workshops in relevant fields, hospitals and school visits among other things.
In today’s social media age, the team at Basmat Amal has ventured into sharing their messages through not just written material, but educational videos too. Their YouTube channel, which has more than 9,000 subscribers, packs helpful videos that educate viewers on important social issues, as well as the power of charity.
Today, the team is proud to have helped more than 600 orphans and 2,000 families. Alyaa is continuing her mission to ensure that orphans in Muscat get a better life and hopes to soar higher and give even more to her beloved Oman. —salim@timesofoman.com
