A new student-led initiative in Bahrain is rallying community support for a long-standing organisation assisting visually impaired individuals.
Fe Al Galb, a volunteering platform founded by two Bahraini university students to aid struggling charities, is organising a fundraiser with the Friendship Society for the Blind at Saar Stadium on June 12.
The event will feature activities for all ages, including a dedicated play area for blind children, food trucks and informational stalls aimed at raising awareness of the challenges faced by visually impaired people in Bahrain.
All proceeds will support the society’s programmes, including its kindergarten established in 1991, which teaches Braille, builds sensory and social skills, and prepares children for integration into public schools.
“We are incredibly grateful to Fe Al Galb for volunteering their time, as volunteers are the foundation of our work,” society treasurer Nabila Albuloshi told the GDN.
“Their efforts help reduce costs and allow us to direct more resources towards supporting our 285 members, developing specialised programmes, and empowering them in the job market and in wider society.”
Ms Albuloshi said the funds would go towards the kindergarten and the centre, which provides services to children aged two to 18, including those with additional disabilities, creating an inclusive learning environment.
Fe Al Galb – meaning ‘In our Hearts’ – was launched on March 28 by university students Amina Ali, 20, a Bahraini law student in the UK, and Layal Hasan, 20, a cybersecurity student at Bahrain Polytechnic.
According to them, the initiative was created in response to recent regional tensions, with the aim of supporting charities facing increased pressure during uncertain times. At least 18 student volunteers from different universities are currently part of the group.
To mark its launch, the team distributed cards across the country carrying the message ‘Bahrain is well, because you are its people’, as part of wider national efforts promoting unity and reassurance. The cards, designed in red and white and featuring the group’s name, reflect the colours of the Bahraini flag.
The message aligns with a national campaign launched in March under the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to strengthen national identity.
“The entire point of our initiative is to give societies more exposure, support and funding so they can continue their work,” Ms Ali told the GDN.
Textured artwork on the wall
After reaching out to several organisations, the Friendship Society for the Blind was among the first to respond.
“We toured the society and saw that it is significantly underfunded,” Ms Ali said. “The kindergarten was especially heart-warming – it was filled with colourful, creative artworks, much like any classroom.”
Many of the artworks are created using textured materials, allowing children to explore concepts through touch. Materials such as sand, felt and embossed paper help them understand shapes and patterns, while a Braille-guided walkway supports independent navigation within the centre.
“We hope the event will bring people together to learn more about the society and contribute to its work,” Ms Ali added.
Colourful, textured artwork
Ms Albuloshi stressed the importance of awareness, noting that environmental barriers remain the biggest challenge for visually impaired individuals in the kingdom.
“There is very limited support in public spaces, education and employment, and we aim to shift perceptions from sympathy to empowerment through the stories and achievements of blind individuals,” she said. “This awareness is essential to building a society based on dignity and equality.”
More details about the event will be announced soon.
Established in 1981 by blind teachers and students, the Friendship Society for the Blind continues to organise activities such as picnics, sports events, educational workshops and community gatherings that bring together members and volunteers.
Ms Hasan, left, and Ms Ali with society members at their meeting
According to official figures, there are around 1,370 blind or visually impaired people in Bahrain. Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that at least 2.2 billion people live with vision impairment or blindness. Of these, around one billion people have moderate-to-severe distance vision impairment or blindness caused by preventable or unaddressed conditions, such as cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors.
For more information, follow @fealgalb_bh and @fsblind on Instagram.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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