Volunteerism has a long history in my dear Kuwait, for before the oil era, when the wall around the citadel was to be extended, Kuwaitis volunteered hours of their days to help build their wall, it was out of love for their country that they did it and it is for the love I have for my nation that I do this.
Fatima Tootie M. Al Sabah signed up as a K’S PATH volunteer shortly after graduation and has been of immense support across many K’S PATH programs and activities. She volunteers at our early morning beach clean-ups and is very passionate about protecting Kuwait’s mangroves; helps at the Shelter to socialise dogs and build new habitats; helps educate children about K’S PATH animals, and lends her fabulous photography skills at photo-shoots of our dogs and cats for adoption ads! Tootie shares her experience so far…
K’S PATH: What moved you to sign up as a K’S PATH volunteer?
Tootie: “I strongly believe in the values of K’S PATH and I especially love their practical and humane approach to helping the wildlife and stray animals of my dear Kuwait. I’ve been supporting K’S PATH for the past few years and I follow all the latest happenings at the Shelter. In addition I love coming to the Open Days whenever I can. It’s always such a joy playing with the cute little puppies and very friendly dogs. But I kept using university as my excuse for not being able to actually register as a volunteer. So when I finished I thought, well now I have no excuses left. So in April 2012, I registered and became an official volunteer, T-shirt and all! 
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K’S PATH: What volunteer activities do you help with at K’S PATH?
Tootie: “I love socialising the dogs, that is my absolute favorite thing to do at the Shelter and I do it every single time I come. I also participated in a few beach cleanups as well as the nature reserve clean-up in Kebd. One thing I really loved doing was helping out with K’S PATH’s farm animals at a little boy’s birthday party – it is such a joy seeing children enjoying their time with animals and teaching them how to be gentle with them. I especially loved the way the boys were thinking. One boy named Adel asked me, “So can I just go to the desert and pick up a tortoise?” I said “No” and as I thought of a reason Adel said,“because I will be taking her away from her family, right? Haram (Poor thing)!” I was astonished by the fast and very logical thought process that went on in this little boy’s mind. It gave me hope in the future generations of Kuwaitis.
“I enjoy taking photos, especially after buying my new camera, I have been helping out with photographing the animals to be highlighted on the Facebook page and to be posted on the Kspath.org website. And as of recently I have been helping with the website as well. I basically want to help in every way possible to make K’S PATH a household name in Kuwait and to bring more awareness to the plight of the animals in Kuwait.
“Another aspect of K’S PATH that I love is the marine conservation and the beach cleanups especially when I saw that we have mangroves here in Kuwait! I was amazed! Although I have only been to the cleanups a few times I really love the idea of doing something that is more proactive to help our environment and wildlife, because I truly believe that it is our duty as inhabitants of this earth to help in any way possible and not become pessimistic despondent people who are waiting for the big organizations or governments to act for us. The feeling of pride and accomplishments after just 2 hours of cleaning a beach is so gratifying and that’s why keeps me coming back!”
K’S PATH: What is your favourite volunteer activity at K’S PATH?
Tootie: “EVERYTHING! I love doing everything and anything anyone will ask me to do ”
K’S PATH: What do most like about volunteering at K’S PATH?
Tootie: “I love the feeling of accomplishment and of hope I get when volunteering at K’S PATH because the atmosphere is so joyful and hopeful. Yes we see sad aspects of our society, such as animal cruelty and extensive littering but we are able to be proactive in helping out those animals and cleaning up after people who for all we know did not know any better.
“Volunteering at K’S PATH is the best thing I have done in a long time! It is what makes me look forward to the weekend because going to beach cleanups and to the Shelter are what give me the energy to face the rest of the week
“Volunteerism has a long history in my dear Kuwait, for before the oil era, when the wall around the citadel was to be extended, Kuwaitis volunteered hours of their days to help build their wall, it was out of love for their country that they did it and it is for the love I have for my nation that I do this. Wildlife and plant life have no voice and we cannot just ignore them or block out their cries for help just because they don’t speak as loud as we do. An organization like K’S PATH that organizes such projects is invaluable to this country, its people and environment.
“Since I have joined K’S PATH I always feel energized because of the sense of fulfilment and accomplishment It literally is food for the soul!”
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Thank you Tootie for your enthusiasm, creativity, dedication and ever-willingness to help. We’re very glad to have you part of our team and a warm welcome aboard the K’S PATH family of volunteers! If you too, like Tootie, would like to launch your volunteer-career with K’S PATH, email volunteers@kspath.org to sign up for our future Volunteer Orientations!
