DHAHRAN, 19 December 2003 — Saudi Aramco’s Eid Al-Fitr celebrations for orphans, held in cities around the Kingdom, were greeted with approval both by the children invited and the host communities. Letters received by Arab News from our readers commended Saudi Aramco for its public service initiatives and the sentiment was frequently expressed that it was hoped the company would carry on with such worthwhile activities.
Saudi Aramco has every intention of not only continuing its community service activities, but of actually increasing them. These activities are part of the petroleum giant’s recently-launched Community Outreach Program developed by the firm’s top management to bring Saudi Aramco’s facilities, programs and expertise to a wider audience both in Saudi Arabia and abroad.
“Due to the support of our top management for the Community Outreach Program, we have been able to develop an ambitious schedule of events that we hope will serve a wide spectrum of needs in the local communities,” said Saeid S. Al-Shahrani, director, Community Outreach Program, Saudi Aramco PR Department.
Looking at the list of upcoming activities it is easy to see that members of the Community Outreach Program will be extremely busy in the weeks ahead. On Dec. 22, in partnership with the Saudi Aramco Medical Services Organization (SAMSO), Community Outreach will be hosting a workshop on caring for the disabled. Over 600 families and health professionals have been invited to the event.
The following week, the Community Outreach Program shifts its focus to defensive driving awareness. Professionals from several departments in Saudi Aramco will go out to high schools in Al-Ahsa where they will hold informative, interactive seminars on safe driving. In addition to the presentations on defensive driving, the educators will also put on demos and contests involving students in attempt to reinforce the acquisition of knowledge on this topic. The program has received enthusiastic support from the Directorate of Education in Al-Ahsa.
To round out the month, Community Outreach in conjunction with Saudi Aramco Ras Tanura Recreation Department and volunteers from across the company, will host a special program for senior citizens.
“It is the goal of the Community Outreach Program to promote the philosophy of volunteerism and the concept of teamwork,” said Nasser A. Al-Nafisee, manager, Saudi Aramco PR Department. “In the past in Saudi Arabia there has been much reliance on institutions and government organizations, but they cannot do everything. Saudi Aramco would like to show that working together, companies and individuals can achieve great good for our society, locally and worldwide.”
Reema Al-Shahrani, a medical PR representative from SAMSO, volunteered at the Eid Al-Fitr orphan celebration helping to facilitate the girls activities for that day. Al-Shahrani stated that she had been anxious to be involved in that event because it was a way to improve society and to encourage participation by other members of the community in projects to enhance social welfare.
“Volunteering is important and society as a whole must be more proactive in pushing this idea,” Al-Shahrani commented. “At SAMSO we have a volunteer office and through that office over 200 women volunteer in different programs. Volunteering allows these women to make positive contributions to those in need and allows resources to be stretched further so that many more may benefit.”
Saudi Aramco’s Community Outreach Program is less that two years old but already it is making a strong impact. “We held some events last year, have improved upon them this year and increased our activities,” said Community Outreach Program staffer Sana K. Abdulrahman. “People have begun to be more aware of the program and are approaching us with suggestions, which we encourage. We have heard that those Saudi Aramco employees who have participated in events held through the Community Outreach Program have gained a powerful sense of well-being and satisfaction from the opportunity to serve others. There is now some thought to create a system through which all Saudi Aramcons would be able to volunteer their time and talents for the benefit of local communities.”