She is a successful businesswoman, an amazingly compassionate and selfless social worker, a dutiful mother, wife and daughter, who has green fingers and an artist’s vision. BTW takes a stroll with Amal Almoayyed, Executive Director of the Ashrafs, in her breathtakingly pretty garden to know her better…
Tell us briefly about yourself: where you were born and raised, any special childhood memory?
I was the 7th child, born in a kind and loving family with happy surroundings. My mother is a wonderful homemaker and a very charitable woman and my dad was a business man. Most of my childhood days were spent with my dad and I started working in my father’s office at a young age in various jobs. I lived in Manama in the Almoayyed tower until I got married.
What has been your educational and professional background?
I took my A level in a boarding school in UK and then I studied Fashion Designing with Accounting in Manchester for 4 years. I finished my education in 1976 and started my first ‘Vogue shop’ in Adliya on 7 June 1978. It was a challenge on those days but I learned a lot from that experience.
Was social work always a calling for you? Tell us how and when you got initiated into this.
Right from childhood, I always felt for the needy, be it human or animal. I remember when I was a kid; I use to bring home dogs from the street, or animals that were hit by cars. I always liked to help the less fortunate. I put myself in their place and love to see the happiness on their face when any help is extended to them.
A senior professional at Ashraf, an entrepreneur, a social worker. Please share with us how you so successfully balance all these roles and your home life.
I do a lot of meditation and little bit of yoga. It helps me to put my thoughts in line and be disciplined in my approach to life. I also feel that God is always on my side. He helps me to keep things going. My family has also been very supportive throughout and at work, my staff is my biggest strength.
Which Amal Almoayyed do you relate more to: the professional woman or the social worker?
I can say both. Business is in my blood and it’s something I enjoy doing. Social responsibility, however, gives you an inner satisfaction and content. When you see that you have changed someone’s life by teaching or guiding them, it is a wonderful feeling, although it is not an easy road.
What are the basic needs of the underprivileged people of Bahrain?
We need more awareness programs that educate the population about health, work, cleanliness, discipline, handling expenses, spending etc.
How can an individual contribute to society beyond his professional work?
There are many ways to reach out. We can contact various societies in Bahrain. There is the Blinds society, Society for special needs, Migrant workers protection society, Centre for abused women, Cancer society etc. One has to search and start lending a helping hand. Although it is time consuming, but really rewarding.
Any memorable incident as a social worker?
Once when I was teaching special needs students, I met this happy soul ‘Ali Moosa’. I listened to his story and decided to publish a book about his life. A very kind man called Ramadan helped me document Ali’s story voluntarily and we published the book. Ali now sells his book everywhere and is earning his own money.
What do you aim to accomplish in the next 5 years?
Every next level of your life will demand a different version of you. I have started on various social projects.
A garden for the mobility centre, Training the blinds to work, conduct awareness programmes on cancer, women abuse, healthy living etc. and to educate Bahrainis for skill jobs.
What is your message to the youth of Bahrain?
Please don’t depend on others to form your future, you need to believe in your dreams and set a goal and work on it. Do not be afraid to fall as you will rise again. Do not hesitate to take risks in life. Always lend a hand to the needy; what you give out comes back to you –Karma.