The Rotary Club of Salmaniya (RCS) has relaunched its iconic Dream Homes project, with ambitious plans to refurbish 20 homes, across multiple areas in Bahrain, over two years.
According to RCS president Hanadi Al Ansari, sponsorships for seven homes have already been secured, with fundraising and partnership expansion to continue on an ongoing basis until the goal is achieved.
“The objective is not cosmetic renovation, but to address serious structural, electrical, plumbing, waterproofing and safety deficiencies in houses,” Ms Al Ansari told the GDN.
“We began sponsor outreach several months ago and have already secured commitments through a combination of corporate (CSR) partnerships and contributions from Rotarians within the club,” she added.
“The internal support from our members has been particularly encouraging, demonstrating collective ownership of the project.
“While seven homes represent less than half of our two-year goal, we are treating Dream Homes as an ongoing commitment. This is no longer a one-year initiative. It is a structured programme designed for continuity and measurable impact.”
It took approximately four months for RCS to complete the groundwork, during which potential homes for renovation were identified through site visits and detailed assessments.
The bedroom of one of the houses shortlisted for the project
Implementation began last month with waterproofing works on the first housing unit. Architectural drawings were completed by past president and architect Janan Habib.
Renovations are carried out in phases since families continue living in their homes during construction. Each home typically requires about four months to complete, depending on the scope of work.
Dream Homes was launched in 2018 and around six houses have been refurbished since its inception. The programme was not staged every year.
Ms Al Ansari said she introduced the idea after reflecting on structured housing transformation programmes internationally.
Ms Al Ansari
“Approximately five to six homes were completed prior to the current edition. While modest in number, the impact on those families has been lasting. We recently revisited one of the earlier homes during Ramadan distributions and found that it remains in good condition, demonstrating the durability of the interventions,” the philanthropist noted.
Expanding on the inspiration behind the relaunch, she recounted an encounter during one of their Ramadan drives – they met a widowed woman living alone in a visibly deteriorating home. The experience left a profound impact on the team.
“The physical condition of the house was concerning, but what impacted us more deeply was the sense of isolation,” she said.
“Many elderly individuals endure living conditions that limit social interaction. Over time, this compounds loneliness and emotional hardship.
“When I became president, I felt a strong responsibility to ensure her home was properly restored. Unfortunately, before we could begin that intervention, we learned that she had passed away. It was deeply heartbreaking but her passing reinforced a powerful lesson: intervention must be timely. That moment solidified our determination to relaunch Dream Homes in a more structured and urgent way,” Ms Al Ansari explained.
The Bahrain-based Kuwaiti national, whose journey as a social worker began during the Gulf War in the 90s, has been closely working with RCS for decades.
Part of Rotary International, a worldwide service club organisation with more than 1.4 million members, RCS is a volunteer charity organisation made up of professionals with a passion for community service, and celebrated its 53rd anniversary two years ago.
Founded in 1971, it fosters strong relationships and encourages all its members to contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society.
Speaking of goals, Ms Al Ansari said: “My primary focus is improving the livelihoods of those who often lack a voice, including the elderly, the disabled, the ill and financially vulnerable families. Dream Homes remains our signature initiative, but our broader mission encompasses healthcare, youth leadership, education and community welfare.”
RCS has conducted several successful campaigns recently. Volunteers visited the geriatrics hospital and distributed care packages for patients who receive no visitors; staged a football match for orphan boys; partnered with Bahrain Mobility International Centre for an art session for children with disabilities and organised a cooking class for children with Down syndrome, among others.
The GDN previously reported on Books for a Cause led by Sacred Heart School Interact Club, which is sponsored by RCS. More than 1,000 books were collected and donated to an orphanage.
n Those who wish to donate can follow @rotarysalmaniya on Instagram for more details.
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