This is a time of the year when we get together with family and friends and exchange gifts to show how much we care. Every year, FACT puts together a gifting guide. However, this year, we thought it would be nice to bring you a collection of institutions and initaitves on the island that work toward the bigger, social good; a time to show ‘our extended family’ that we care. This festive season, pay it forward by giving back with these charities and campaigns.

ROYAL HUMANITARIAN FOUNDATION
Also known as the Royal Charity Organisation, this body was established under the order of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. They have been carrying out humanitarian work for local and international causes for more than two decades. Local initiatives that you can contribute towards include sponsoring orphans and widows, providing healthcare, funding education and more. You can also donate toward their international campaigns. Currently, they are sending relief to Gaza. In the past, they have helped countries such as Türkiye, the Philippines, Pakistan and Somalia, among others. In addition to donations through their website, you can also sign up as a volunteer.
GO: Visit www.rhf.gov.bh for more information.

A BOX OF GOODNESS
Set up in 2016, A Box Of Goodness has brightened the lives of so many people. Their annual Festive Toy Drive will benefit both, local and expat children of all faiths in Bahrain. The toys will be shared with less fortunate children and those with learning disabilities. Donations for kids aged two to 12 years only will be accepted until December 20 and must be new or unused and unwrapped. Drop off locations include Level Up education centre and Bahrain Rugby Football Club in Saar, and St. Christopher’s School – the primary section in Saar and secondary in Isa Town. More locations will be added – please contact the organisers.
GO: Follow @aboxofgoodness on Facebook and Instagram for more information.

AMERICAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
A thriving expat ladies’ group, the American Women’s Association was established in 1974. Open to all women living on the island, they promote charity, friendship and cultural understanding. Since their inception, they have, through their many activities and campaigns, supported a number of causes. Their annual Snowflake Craft Fair is a popular fundraising event, featuring local vendors, lucky draws and more. Another is the Cherry Tree Trot (CTT), which is held once every two years. It’s a charity race for both, physically and mentally challenged and able-bodied people. The next one happens on February 10, 2024.
GO: Follow @awabahrain and @awactt (for CTT) for more information.

BAHRAIN COLLECTIVE
A new initiative that was launched in the wake of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Bahrain Collective is a network of local brands and well-known individuals in the community, who have come together to create awareness about and support the cause. One of the ways you can help is by patronising the cafés that are part of the collective. They sell selected special items from their menu, all the proceeds of which are donated to the Royal Humanitarian Foundation. Goodness café and bakery at El Mercado Mall, Curious Diner at Al Liwan, Green Bar Cafe at Bahrain Fort and A’ali, Cantine in Manama and at Al Liwan, Rue Catering Boutique at District 1 Mall in Janabiya and Auro Chocolate café in Muharraq are some of the venues taking part. Other activities include art sessions for children, cultural markets and more that you can support in the near future.
GO: Follow @bahraincollective.2023 on Instagram for more information.

BAHRAIN RED CRESCENT
Established in the early 1970s, the Bahrain Red Crescent society is one of the oldest charities on the island. They are recognised by the International Committee of the Red Cross and The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Their work involves a wide range of social efforts such as supporting needy families, health awareness campaigns, foreign aid and more. You can contribute to their efforts by registering to be a volunteer or through donations in cash and kind.
GO: Call 1729 3100 for more information.

CHILD’S WISH SOCIETY
As the name suggests, Child’s Wish Society focuses on children’s causes, from academic to medical and more. Their campaigns include inviting donations for paediatric oncology treatments and conducting awareness sessions in schools about natural calamities and how to be prepared. The society also organises charity garage sales where kids, accompanied by a guardian, can sell pre-loved or new items. This encourages social awareness in them at an early age and also gives them first-hand experience with handling money. Most recently, Child’s Wish Society launched a Gaza-relief donation campaign for Palestinian children that you can support through their Instagram page.
GO: Follow @childwish_bh on Instagram for more information.

INDIAN LADIES ASSOCIATION
The Indian Ladies Association (ILA) is arguably the oldest expat women’s group in Bahrain. They run many initiatives that support a number of causes such as Sneha for children with special needs, worker welfare, and Speak Easy – a relatively new project – to teach English to those who can’t afford the high fees that language institutes usually charge. You can support the ILA through donations.
GO: Visit ilabahrain.org or call 1724 5750 for more information.

KAAF HUMANITARIAN
Kaaf is a charity focusing on local causes but they also offer support internationally. In addition to ongoing campaigns such as inviting donations for Quran printing, they also have seasonal projects such as during Ramadan. In light of recent events, they have launched a Gaza Relief fund where you can donate cash to equip a shelter centre, toward ambulances and for urgent relief such as food and medicines. Additionally, they have a general donation campaign for Palestine-based projects. You can easily donate through their website.
GO: Visit kaaf.bh or call 1733 3090 for more information.

MANAMA CHARITABLE SOCIETY
Established as the Manama Charitable Fund, they eventually changed to the Manama Charitable Society and support many causes that you can contribute towards. Their services include helping needy families, providing financial aid for patients who require treatment, organising emergency aid in case of natural disasters and more. Visit their website for cash donations. There are tabs for different causes so, you can support whichever is closest to your heart.
GO: Visit manamacharity.org or call 3211 1196 for more information.

PAKISTANI WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
A registered group, the Pakistani Women’s Association (PWA) was established in 1998 and completed 25 years last month. Since then, they have organised a number of campaigns to support social welfare causes. You can contribute to their annual Winter Drive by donating neatly packed, pre-loved warm clothes that are in good condition, labelled ‘winter wear’. The volunteers will distribute them closer to National Day along with snacks and treats. Alternatively, you can donate cash. PWA’s ongoing programme, Sponsor Hope, supports their Education Scholarship Fund. You can donate BD300 to BD360 annually or BD25 to BD30 monthly or even a one-time amount of your choice.
GO: Message @p_w_a_bahrain on Instagram or email pwabahrain11@gmail.com for more information or to make cash donations.

TARBEIA ISLAMIC SOCIETY
Tarbeia Islamic Society was established in 1978 by a group of social activists. They support a wide range of causes including educational, social, healthcare, humanitarian aid and more. Their programmes straddle scholarships and student loans, donating wheelchairs and sponsoring orphans, among other things. You can donate toward these campaigns through their website where you can also learn more about their international projects such as urgent relief for Gaza, for immigrants and displaced people in Sudan, construction of houses in Syria and help for victims of the earthquake in Morocco.
GO: Visit tarbeia.org, call 7777 0770 or visit the link in their Instagram bio @tarbeia for more information.

TREE OF LIFE SOCIAL CHARITY SOCIETY
Just as a tree offers many benefits such as shade and fruit to the community, the Tree of Life Social Charity Society, founded in 2012, supports a number of causes to help people. Their activities and campaigns cater to the welfare of orphans and needy families, providing healthcare and much more. Currently, they are collecting funds for the medical treatment of six patients across different age groups; for eye operations and brain surgeries, among other things. You can support them and give a fellow human a new lease of life through cash donations.
GO: Follow @treeoflifecharitysociety on Instagram for more information.

UNICEF GULF UNICEF
(United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, which is now United Nations Children’s Fund) offers humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Following decades of work in the Gulf region, they set up a liaison office in Riyadh, which was upgraded to a Gulf Area office in 1987. UNICEF Gulf is responsible for the international body’s activities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi and the UAE. Currently, they’re inviting donations for international causes, including helping the children in war-ridden Gaza. Other campaigns you could sponsor are education for children in Yemen, aid to young victims of the violence in Sudan and more.
GO: Visit https://www.unicef.org/gulf/ or @unicefgulf on Instagram for more information.

WAGALAG
Wagalag, a unique pet-friendly space in Bahrain, has been doing its bit to support social causes. In light of the current situation in Gaza, they organised a community gathering where they screened Palestinian films, hosted a guided meditation and yoga session and set up a market place for local vendors. All proceeds were donated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). They continue to show their solidarity toward the cause by donating 50% of their profits every Wednesday so, if this is a campaign that you resonate with, grab your furry friend and head to Wagalag located in Janabiya.
GO: Follow @wagalag on Instagram for more information.