By Shahd Alhamdan
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Mere coincidence and a passion for science played a major role in paving the path for a group of young people in Madinah who came together for a social cause.
WASGF, which was founded in 2014 with just six members, today has around 200 male and female volunteers.
WASGF, is an abbreviation for natural elements such as water, air, sand and greenery. The group is interested in science and humanitarian initiatives. They are also focusing on developing non-classroom activities in universities.
The idea of the group came by coincidence during a phone call. Israa Ahmed Bakhsh, the leader of the group and one of its founders, said, “In 2014, we were an initial group of three people in Al-Ghad College. It started with our interest in recycling of environmental waste. I started collecting water bottles at my college with a group of girls. I called Dr. Ibrahim Alam, owner of Aalem Environmental Corporation in Jeddah, and informed him about our interest. He supported and encouraged me and had the same vision as mine.”
Bakhsh said Alam helped by giving ideas and consultation. After a while a conference, titled “The Sixth Scientific Conference” was held and it was the group’s chance to expand.
“I already started my project personally before the conference. I was cooperating with Al-Ghad College Deanship, and through Aalem Environmental Corporation. I cooperated with Dallah Albaraka, which was taking the environmental waste from me. That is how the whole project started,” Bakhsh said.
She said some people who believed in environmental safety started showing interest in her project and became the pioneering members of the group.
In 2016, the group organized the leukemia international day. The latest event that they participated in was the Earth Hour in Madinah.
Bakhsh said, “I was happy with this project because it is related to the group’s main objective, which is focusing on environment. This project taught me that any activities could be implemented in Madinah because the people who helped and worked on this project included both Saudis and non-Saudis, and they did everything possible to make this project succeed. The group has around 30 people working for it in Yanbu, Jeddah and Madinah.”
She said after participating in the Earth Hour event, the group decided to cooperate in the future with the organizers of the Saudi Earth Hour in Riyadh.
The group currently has only one sponsor. “The inability to find more sponsors is a major obstacle facing the group. In addition, Madinah society is not always receptive of girls uncovering their face during these activities,” Bakhsh said.
She, however, added: “I am preparing for the next year’s Earth Hour and to establish a headquarters for WASGF in Madinah.”
