Women who inspire

Women who inspire Staff Reporter / 19 May 2013 DUBAI – Shopping out on a winter day in Kuwait was what changed American national Sheryll Maizra’s life. Founder of mercy mission Operation Hope, Maizra said she failed to recognise the needs of people around her in the initial years of her life in Kuwait, to where she moved after her marriage. “It was perhaps one of the coldest days in Kuwait and I was out shopping, irritated at not being able to find what I was looking for. My eyes fell upon a pair of sock-less feet in a pair of much worn shoes, which were clearly two sizes too large for their owner. I looked up and what I saw broke my heart,” elaborates Maizra. Overcome by guilt and “ashamed of her ugly determination”, Maizra fled the shopping mall. A year later, instead of celebrating Christmas with the usual festivities, Maizra and her family decided to serve Kuwait’s neediest population on Christmas Eve. “Within three weeks of me sending out requests, approximately 1,150 male and female labourers in Kuwait were outfitted with brand new, rain-resistant coats, hats, gloves and thick socks. Families, students and businessmen joined hands to purchase, pack and hand-deliver ‘winter warmth’ to each worker. And from there, Operation Hope was born,” she said. Operation Hope-Kuwait partners with schools and local outreach programmes by providing clothing and toiletries when needed to women and babies in the Illegal Pregnancy Ward, as well as men and women at Kuwait’s deportation centres. The organisation operated from a humble tent office in the first six years of serving Kuwait’s neediest, but has recently moved to a more permanent home. Maizra was labelled this year’s Most Inspiring Woman for the extraordinary contributions to her community, as part of awards set up by Mondelçz International, the company that owns the Philadelphia cream cheese brand. “I applied for the award twice since its inception. Every woman who has applied is a winner. Each story is inspirational in an incredible way,” said Maizra. Operating for the fourth year, the Most Inspiring Woman of the Year (GCC) award is bestowed upon women who have made extraordinary contributions to their community. Winners, including first and second runners up, were announced through a combination of judges voting for short listing and public online voting process. “The response for the awards has been truly tremendous. This year we had 500 entries from across the GCC and each story was really moving. The process of picking out just three was not an easy task,” said Mondelçz International area director Vishal Tikku. The judges were Shaikha Hend Faisal Al Qassemi, an Emirati artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist; Dr Rana A. Al Fares, Director at Kuwait University Construction Programme; Lina Khalid Al Maeena, Director of Jeddah United Sports Company in Saudi Arabia, an organisation which channels women’s aspirations in sports. Maizra received $10,000 from Philadelphia, which she has pledged to support her cause further. First runner up Mina Liccione from the UAE and second runner up, Mona Qumquimji from Saudi Arabia were rewarded with $5,000. Liccione is the founder of Clowns Who Care project, a volunteer initiative whose sole purpose is to bring joy, love, light, awareness and support to centres for children and adults with special needs, senior centres, charity organisations and hospitals. The group also provides free professional entertainment, produces events and works with other charities, and produced Funny Girls Go Pink — an all-female stand-up comedy show, in support of breast cancer awareness, held last October. “It’s not about being famous or coming on TV. It’s an attempt to make the world a better place,” Liccione said. Qumquimji is a philanthropist who dabbles in all areas of community service. She began her community work in 1987, when she joined women’s charity organisations to spend time with less privileged children, and her journey continues. dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International