Volunteers unite to clean coast of Umm Al-Maradim Island

Kuwait Times

7 days ago

By Ahmad Boukaheel
KUWAIT: A cleanup campaign was held at Umm Al-Maradim Island, bringing together volunteers, government bodies, and private sector participants in a large-scale effort to clean the island's coastline and promote environmental awareness.
The initiative was organized by Salman Al-Qattan and Yousef Al-Omran, founder of the (Bou Jarrah Makes a Difference) initiative. Volunteers spent the entire day cleaning the island, supported by both public and private sector entities.
The initiative aimed to clean Kuwait's shores and raise environmental awareness across different segments of society by encouraging citizens and residents to participate in hands-on activities that promote a culture of environmental preservation.
'We must begin with the younger generation by nurturing a deep respect and sense of responsibility for the environment from an early age,' said Bou Jarrah. 'It is essential that preserving nature becomes ingrained in their daily habits and mindset, so that protecting our planet turns into a natural and lifelong commitment.'
He added that a sustainable future for Kuwait and the world is only possible through raising awareness and instilling good values early on.
'This campaign clearly demonstrates the power of collaboration between government agencies and volunteer groups working together toward a common goal. Such unified efforts reflect the true spirit of Kuwait's community, where everyone comes together to face environmental challenges with dedication and determination,' Abdullah Al-Mishwah, a marine blogger who helped organizing the campaign, said. 'We are proud to see how collective action can lead to meaningful impact in protecting and preserving our natural environment.'
Key participants included the volunteer team 'Bou Jarrah Yughayyer,' the Environment Public Authority, the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources and Kuwait Municipality. The event was also attended by Brigadier General Sheikh Mubarak Ali Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Director General of the Kuwait Coast Guard.
Abdulaziz Al-Muhanna, Vice Chairman of the The Kuwait Environment Protection Society, told KUNA that a large amount of waste was collected—equivalent to the load of four municipal transport trucks—noting that plastic and foam made up the largest portion of the waste retrieved from both the beach and underwater. He stressed said the campaign helped deliver a message about the significance of Kuwait's islands and instilled a love for volunteer work in the community.
Amina Al-Kharaji, who joined the 'Fakhr Al-Deera' volunteer team for the first time, shared her happiness at participating in the campaign. She encouraged others who haven't yet taken part to join future efforts for the sake of Kuwait. Another volunteer, Abdullah Ashkanani, said this was his first time joining such an initiative. He emphasized the importance of keeping beaches clean to turn them into a tourist destination. He encouraged families, both adults and children, to take part in beach cleaning initiatives, highlighting that the sea is a vital part of Kuwait's history.
Faten Al-Dahina, a member of the Al-Dawazah Volunteer Team, stressed the importance of national campaigns such as this one, noting their role in spreading awareness about preserving Kuwait's beaches. She advised beachgoers to always leave the place cleaner than they found it. Dr Zahra Habeeb, another volunteer, expressed her gratitude to the organizers for hosting such events and for providing full services to support and motivate volunteers.
Abdulwahab Ahmed Nasr, a young child, expressed both happiness and frustration—he was pleased to help but surprised and bothered by how some beach visitors carelessly throw large amounts of waste, which harms marine animals. He concluded his statement with the heartfelt phrase, 'Kuwait deserves it,' showing his deep love for a clean and beautiful Kuwait.
Another child, Mohammed Salman Al-Qattan, proudly said he collected the largest amount of trash during the cleanup. He shared how happy it made him and his father to see the beach clean. He added that he wants to continue protecting the marine environment from pollution.