Sarah Al-akbari
May 8th, 2013
May 8th, 2013
Gentler and softer hearts, a Yemeni group that was established at the University of Carleton, has been a strong advocate in helping relieve the severe medical situation of Yemen. The people of Yemen are currently suffering from the lack of basic healthcare supplies in the country. Approximately 50% of Yemeni children are malnourished and are dying due to simple diseases such as diarrhea.
Alawi Assaggaf is a graduated electrical engineering student from Carleton University. He is also the founder and the current president of Gentler and Softer Hearts. Mr. Assaggaf took a meaningful approach to send awareness of the current situation in Yemen by growing his hair and beard for numerous months. The fundraising campaign to help the people of Yemen officially started in the month of September of last year. “I have not cut my hair since September” Mr. Assaggaf stated.
Mr. Assaggaf thought of this idea for his own motivation and self-respect, he stated that “a little share of the luxurious time and energy on things that we take for granted could help make a lot of people live in humane standards, or in many cases, help them survive”
Growing his hair and beard were simple reminders to accompany him that “there are people who could be in better situations if more effort and time was dedicated for the aid. A lot of kids may survive simple diseases like malaria and diarrhea”.
Alawi Assaggaf is a graduated electrical engineering student from Carleton University. He is also the founder and the current president of Gentler and Softer Hearts. Mr. Assaggaf took a meaningful approach to send awareness of the current situation in Yemen by growing his hair and beard for numerous months. The fundraising campaign to help the people of Yemen officially started in the month of September of last year. “I have not cut my hair since September” Mr. Assaggaf stated.
Mr. Assaggaf thought of this idea for his own motivation and self-respect, he stated that “a little share of the luxurious time and energy on things that we take for granted could help make a lot of people live in humane standards, or in many cases, help them survive”
Growing his hair and beard were simple reminders to accompany him that “there are people who could be in better situations if more effort and time was dedicated for the aid. A lot of kids may survive simple diseases like malaria and diarrhea”.
“A lot of constrains kept popping up that caused us delays and/or major changes in plans” he said and later added “I decided to keep my hair and beard growing until the project start progressing in the Yemeni grounds”.
Alawi Assaggaf is determined to keep his hair and beard growing until the final news that the medicine that was sent to Yemen has been received and the doctors have started the required treatments. He goes on giving thanks to HCI, Human Concern International, for helping this process in fundraising and their major cooperation in coordinating this project.
Progress has been looking promising lately. Hopefully by the upcoming week new news shall be received regarding the shipment of medicines to Yemen.
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Picture taken during the International Food Festival in October 2012 of Mr. Assaggaf as he started his awareness.
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Picture taken in May 2013 of Mr. Assaggaf as the process of awareness continues.
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