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The big-hearted Thirst Quenchers are back on the bottle beat bringing much-needed refreshments to the army of low-paid construction workers combating the blazing Bahrain heat.
The group, made up of Bahraini and expat young volunteers, annually set out to make a difference in the community and plan to continue their good deeds throughout the holy month of Ramadan.
More than 70 Thirst Quenchers have started distributing water, Coca Cola and Sprite to various construction sites and labour camps around the kingdom for a fourth year.
They meet up at 9am every Saturday at founder Leila Rajkumar's home in Zinj before setting off. She said: "We begin loading the refreshments into cool boxes and depending on the number of volunteers with cars who turn up, head out in groups in different directions."
Fellow quencher, Bahraini Fatima Yousif, 23, a claims assistant at Trust Tree Insurance, believes that a lot more can be done.
Last year, she led the Ramadan Basket Drive distributing baskets of non-perishable food items to around 350 villagers in Sitra, Karranah, Manama, Bani Jamrah, Ginistan and Hamala.
Fatima said: "The weekend's first water drive went extremely well. We have already distributed 2,000 bottles of Arwa water and another 2,000 cans of soft drinks to different sites.
"This year we intend to cover all the major construction sites around Bahrain over the next four weeks in Juffair, Isa Town, Busaiteen, Hidd and Budaiya."
Schoolgirl Chantal Makarsaleh, 11, an Egyptian-Cypriot student at the British School of Bahrain travelled from Manama to help.
She said: "This is my first time taking part in the water drive. My youth group from the National Evangelical Church assists the Thirst Quenchers during the summer.
"I was too young to participate last year but now I am fully involved. We visited areas such as Salmabad and some locations that I couldn't even recognise.
"The first site we went to, none of the workers would come down from the buildings to get their drinks.
"It's as if they were afraid so the juniors went over to them and handed them the drinks. They soon realised that there was nothing to fear and they all warmed to us.
"I want to help my community. Bahrain is a very hot place, especially during the summer. When my mother asked if I wanted to come home early I said no because the smile on the labourers' faces made it all worthwhile. Plus, I feel as if I am doing something good."
Fatima and her colleagues are hoping their plans to distribute food to the needy during Ramadan again attract support from big business.
"The basket drive was in full gear last year with many sponsors such as my company, philanthropist Vijay Baloor, Lulu Hypermarket and Coca Cola," she explained. "This time we hope to have even more volunteers and the chance to visit more areas.
"Baskets of goodies are delivered to needy families on a door-to-door basis by group members.
"We want to spread this positive message to more individuals reminding people that we can all lend a helping hand.
"At the end of the day I felt as though the labourers didn't look at us as strangers but as equals because we understand what they are going through and that is what it is all about - to empathise and help others around us."
The Thirst Quenchers also aim to host iftar meals for residents of labour camps and hand out Eid shopping vouchers.
To contact thirst quenchers or join in their activities email them on thirstquenchers@gmail.com
