Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — For volunteers Sondos Al-Darwish and Menna Jamil, a long-held dream became a reality when they entered the field offering life-saving healthcare services for the oilgrims.

From a young age, they sought out those in need and offered help in any way they could, valuing the smiles and gratitude of others as their greatest reward.

Al-Darwish shared: “I achieved my childhood ambition when I joined a health college, where I learned the basic skills to assist patients. This allowed me to fulfill my dream of helping others. I began volunteering with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority in 2021 and advanced to a team leader, assisting pilgrims from around the world, some of whom face serious health issues, pushing us to alleviate their suffering.”

Nursing student Al-Darwish recalled an emergency case involving a pilgrim with severe chest pains. He was unable to describe his condition due to the pain, but was later diagnosed with suffering a stroke. Al-Darwish, along with the medical team, used her training to successfully save the pilgrim’s life.

Volunteer Menna Jamil has been with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority for about four years, developing her skills to become a team leader. Jamil recounted a touching incident at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, where a blind female patient, after receiving pain relief from the medical team, asked Jamil to sit in front of her. The patient placed her hands on Jamil's face, expressing deep gratitude and happiness, a gesture that conveyed thousands of words and filled Jamil with immense joy.

The experiences of these two volunteers emphasize the importance of engaging in community work with enthusiasm, humanitarian spirit, and dedication. Their commitment to spreading knowledge, goodness, and aiding others serves as an exemplary model for society.