Social programs focus on developing society

Nonprofit organization Weam recently held a four-day social programs event in Alkhobar with the support of Abdullah Al-Subaie Charity.
Weam Chairperson Muhammad Abdul Rahman Al-Abdul Qader said: “The organization is keen to continue with the prepared plans in order to develop society and awareness among families.”
Salman Al-Shumrani, human development consultant, said in his lecture that 42 percent of the Saudi society suffer from consumerism. According to him, some families just amuse themselves by buying consumer goods since the Kingdom is going through a period of security and prosperity.
The reason everyone is consuming, Al-Shumrani said, is that society is not interested in taking advantage of available money to spend it on something necessary.
More than 1,600 people attended Al-Shumrani’s lecture. Some said they were happy to learn new facts about financial planning and the result of saving money.
Unfortunately, said Al-Shumrani, there is no financial planning course in our school curriculum to teach people how to manage their finances. “Even people who are well-educated sometimes have no knowledge of financial planning.
“Three quarters of family problems are financial. Families have no idea of how to spend their money properly.” He said Weam, through its programs, was working to help people realize the importance of financial planning, so that they would have a settled life.
Among other lectures was one about marital harmony by Adel Al-Qanim. He discussed couples’ emotions and how they should manage their relationship to have a harmonious life. He also indicated that couples should not take each other's mistakes take seriously. He said everyone should be optimistic.
Al-Qanim said the family counseling offices established by a number of social organizations in the Kingdom had helped people to properly consult and discuss issues before things go wrong. Putting emphasis on Islamic principles, he advised people to deal with each other with love and tolerance as well as cooperation while being honest with each other.
Khalid Al-Halibi, chairperson of family development in Al-Hasa, said in his program that successful families owed their success to dialogues and open-minded discussions as well as plans.
Psychiatrist Maysara Taher said that schools should be the model to lead youngsters as they grow up, and teachers have the responsibility to guide students through good manners and modern dialogues. Teachers should also encourage students to feel confident when they talk to their parents.