Saudi woman shares volunteering experience at UN event in Geneva

RIYADH — A Saudi woman presented her volunteering experience during the UN celebrations marking World Humanitarian Work Day in Geneva on Friday. Zuhoor Asiri said she has been volunteering in Europe to aid the refugees for an entire year. “I went to Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Austria and Greek to volunteer for the refugees. On my first night on the shores of the Greek island of Lesbos, a lifeguard approached me and asked me if I speak Arabic. He told me that there is a boat approaching the shore but it is taking the wrong direction and may crash into some rocks and drown,” said Asiri. She added the lifeguard gave her a phone and she was able to talk to someone on the boat and instruct them to change their route. “The boat arrived at shore safely. By simply being there, I was able to save 66 people who were on the boat within 15 minutes. I was brought up in a society that respects and highly regards volunteerism and philanthropic work,” said Asiri. She added volunteer organizations should develop a universal network to correspond and cooperate and organize efficient and effective volunteering projects.