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As the new academic year gets underway, community organisations are coming together to ensure that children from low-income families are equipped with the tools they need to learn.
Unregistered charity OneHeartBahrain has launched a drive, titled ‘Fill Their Backpacks with Hope’, calling on residents to donate essential school supplies.
According to organisers, some children risk missing school altogether due to financial hardships and the campaign seeks to remove those barriers by placing basic items directly into pupils’ hands.
“Our work at OneHeartBahrain is rooted in the power of community – bringing volunteers, donors, partners and beneficiaries together as one family to offer a helping hand where it’s needed the most,” OneHeartBahrain project manager and operations director Amal Ishaq said.
“This initiative reflects our twin goals – while new donations are gladly accepted, we especially encourage giving pre-loved items in good condition. This not only equips a child for academic success but also reduces waste and supports a circular economy – a cornerstone of our environmental commitment.”
Accepted donations include backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers, calculators, art supplies, old school books and reading books, literature and mathematics practice books, old laptops, tablets and phones, lunch boxes, binders and folders. Both new and gently used items in excellent condition will be collected.
The Bahrain Rugby Club in Janabiya is the central drop-off point and collections will run until 4pm on Thursday, September 11.
Volunteers will pack the donated items into school bags, which will be distributed to children from identified low-income families the following day.
For more details, residents can contact OneHeartBahrain directly or visit the group’s online platforms.
Kaaf Humanitarian-Al Eslah Society has also launched a back-to-school campaign to support students by providing them with essential school supplies and scholarships.
So far, more than 2,000 students have been assisted, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to making education accessible for all.
“The initiative, entitled It All Begins with a School Bag and Uniform, will involve the distribution of school uniforms, shoes, backpacks and bags filled with school supplies,” Kaaf Humanitarian chief executive Mohammed Jassim Sayyar said.
“In addition, the society will also support several university students, offering them financial assistance to help undergraduates pursue their studies,” he added.
Educational support will also be extended to students all over the island – from primary to secondary schools.
“Through these initiatives, Kaaf Humanitarian reaffirms its role as a dedicated national partner in promoting education, empowering young people and advancing the values of humanitarian service,” Mr Sayyar added.
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Civil Defence launched an awareness campaign to mark the back-to-school season. The initiative, comprising a series of educational programmes, aims to raise awareness among students and parents about methods of risk prevention and proper responses during emergencies such as fires and natural disasters.
An exhibition was also held, featuring displays of safety equipment, distribution of brochures and leaflets, and interactive online competitions through ‘Ghaith’, the Civil Defence mascot.
“The campaign reflects co-operation between the General Directorate of Civil Defence and the Education Ministry,” a statement said.
