Gulf Bank launches ‘A Step Towards Change’ drive in partnership with Kaifan Cooperative
KUWAIT CITY, March 5: President of the Kuwaiti Society for the Handicapped (KSH) Sabika Al-Jasser has announced the provision of integrated treatment and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities, and ongoing work towards integrating them into society, reports Al-Qabas daily.
Al-Jasser presented the annual report of the Society for the year 2022, during which the Society contributed to the removal of barriers to the participation of persons with disabilities in society on equal footing with others. “We sought to integrate them into society in an optimal manner by securing their rights like education and employment. In 2022, the Society continued to achieve its mission and goals according to its strategic plan approved by the Board of Directors. This is based on the commitment towards continuous improvement of services that we provide to people with disabilities and their families. We develop access to current services and offer new services, while increasing opportunities for partnership in the community and striving to create a healthy work environment for our children and employees to work, learn and grow. We are keen on implementing successful management practices to facilitate the provision of distinguished services, in addition to enhancing financial sustainability. In 2022; the Society provided educational, therapeutic and rehabilitation services to 442 people with disabilities in its educational centers and 26 in the Integrated Care Department.
The Society also developed the Rehabilitation Unit and appointed support medical staff specialized in physical, speech and language and occupational therapies. It also intensified its efforts for the benefit of those who need its services, raise its centers’ absorption capacity, ensure the efficiency of their outputs, modernize their equipment and improve the capabilities of the workforce,” she added.
Al-Jasser stressed that these efforts would not have been successful without Allah’s help and the support of partners in giving -- from the benevolent people of Kuwait and the efforts of the sincere members of the Board of Directors who made - and are still making - efforts to raise the name of the Society. She pointed out that for 51 years, the Society has been one of the pioneers of charitable work and it reflects the human face of Kuwait and the authentic values and principles that its people are born with. She added the Society is also keen on achieving Kuwait Vision 2035 in terms of the care and integration of people with disabilities by contributing to the implementation of the National Policy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
She affirmed that at the beginning of this year added, the Society received the vocational training and rehabilitation center in Granada at a cost of approximately KD5 million. “The project extends over an area of 15,000 square meters, which will be a private college for people with disabilities who are 18 years old and above and have completed their education in the three centers of the Society. It will contribute to integrating people with disabilities into society, increasing their employment opportunities, empowering them to have an effective role in society and enhancing their positive energy to contribute to the development of Kuwait,” she stated.
KUWAIT CITY, March 5: Following a specified timeline, Gulf Bank has launched the “A Step Towards Change” environmental sustainability initiative, aimed at shifting societal habits by promoting the use of reusable bags, in partnership with Kaifan Cooperative Society. Over the course of a week, the initiative involves distributing around 20,000 reusable bags at Mishref Co-op, accompanied by various informative events.
Gulf Bank had earlier revealed the timetable for executing the initiative within the participating Co-ops, which include Al-Dahiya and Al-Mansouriah, Al-Shamiya and Al-Shuwaikh, Al-Rawda and Hawally, Kaifan, and Mishref. This disclosure took place in the presence of bank officials, representatives from the Environment Public Authority, and the Committee for Environmental, Food, and Water Security in the National Assembly.
On this occasion, Mr. Fahad Al-Sharah, Assistant Manager of Corporate Communications at Gulf Bank, stated: “We are pleased at Gulf Bank to have partnered with Kaifan Co-op for the fourth phase of our environmental sustainability initiative, ‘A Step Towards Change,’ which has been widely embraced and positively received by the members of the cooperative societies that have implemented it.
He continued, saying: “Our primary objective is to instigate a change in behavior within society, and we are working closely with Mishref Co-op to achieve this. Through the distribution of reusable bags and encouraging customers to reduce their plastic consumption, we hope to make significant progress.”
Optimism
Al-Sharrah conveyed optimism that this initiative would actively contribute to shaping government decisions and laws, compelling both institutions and individuals to minimize plastic usage. Ultimately, this effort is expected to contribute significantly to the protection of Kuwait’s environment from the significant harm caused by plastic bags.
He further emphasized that this initiative is part of Gulf Bank’s annual commitment to implement various initiatives aimed at reinforcing the principles of environmental sustainability within the community. Gulf Bank believes that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and they found it fitting to initiate this program with selected major co-ops in Kuwait. Around 100,000 reusable bags will be distributed to the selected co-ops, marking the first step towards changing behavior, and becoming an integral part of their daily lives.
He added, “This initiative is rooted in Gulf Bank’s 2025 strategy, with the goal of establishing principles of environmental, social, and governance sustainability. It aligns with the country’s environmental strategy under the vision of ‘New Kuwait 2035,’ as well as legislation related to the environment, laws safeguarding the environment, resource conservation, pollution reduction, environmental safety, ecosystem rehabilitation, biodiversity protection, waste management efficiency improvement, utilization of renewable energy, and building and developing national capabilities in environmental work.”
Satisfaction
Mr. Musaab Ahmed Al-Mulla, a member of the Board of Directors at Kaifan Cooperative Society and President of the Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies, expressed satisfaction with the partnership with Gulf Bank in the “A Step Towards Change” initiative, highlighting their commitment to driving societal progress towards decreased plastic consumption. Furthermore, he stressed the introduction of a “Fast Track” service by the co-op for shareholders who utilize reusable bags, with the aim of promoting their ongoing use.
Gulf Bank’s vision is to be the leading Kuwaiti Bank of the future. The Bank is constantly engaging and empowering its employees as part of an inclusive and diversified workplace in recognition of every employee’s role in delivering customer excellence and serving the community at large. With its extensive network of branches and innovative digital services, Gulf Bank is able to give its customers the choice of how and where to conduct their banking transactions, all while ensuring a simple and seamless banking experience.
Gulf Bank is committed to maintaining robust developments in sustainability at environmental, social and governance levels through diverse sustainability initiatives, strategically selected to benefit the Bank both internally and externally. Gulf Bank supports Kuwait Vision 2035 “New Kuwait” and works with various parties to achieve it.