Wednesday, December 10, 2008

REAL Christmas Trees in Kuwait

A repost from Desert Girl

Incase anyone is interested in buying either a Norway Spruce (Picea Abies - top photo) or Norman Blue Spruce (Picea Pungen - bottom photo) tree, they will be arriving at Janayen Nursery on Sunday, December 7th. Trees are coming in air frieght from Holland and are available in 1.5 to 3 meter selections. I don't have pricing information yet.
The difference: Norway Spruce doesn't last as long as the Blue Spruce (needles fall faster). The Blue Spruce also has a silvery tone to the needles). Personally, I prefer the scent of the Blue Spruce.
Janayen is located on 4th Ring Road in front of the Friday Market in Shuwaikh - along the row of nurseries. Their phone number is 2472-2074 or you can reach the Showroom Manager, Mr. Mohammed Al-Zean at mobile 9952-0231.

This is an unpaid public service announcement by Desert Girl.

Expat Associations in Kuwait

Here is another list of expat associations in Kuwait also prepared by Desert Girl

BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS

American Business Council
http://www.abckw.org/
American Business Council – Kuwait
Salwa, Blk 11, St. 7 or 10, Bld 15 (Pillars), Apt. 2
Tel-fax: 2563-4042
Mobile: 6698-4999
Email: mibrahim@abckw.org
Website: www.abckw.org

British Business Forum
T: 66841114
F: 25624903
www.bbf.org.kw
business@bbf.org.kw

Canadian Commercial Circle
http://www.ccckw.com/

French Business Council
fbc-k@fbc-k.com
http://fbc-k.com/

German Business Council
Tel No : 965 - 66919950
Fax No : 965 - 66919951
E-Mail : information@gbck.net
www.gbck.net

Indian Business Council
T: 22510891
F: 22525811
www.ibckuwait.org
indecomk@qualitynet.net

Kuwait Austria Business & Friendship Assoc
Postal Address: PO Box: 863, Safat, Code: 13009 - KUWAIT
Tel.: +(965) 240 2175, Extension 230 or 224
Fax: +(965) 240 2176
Mobile: +(965) 683 6817
Email: info@kabfa.com
Web-site: http://www.kabfa.com

Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Phone (965) 1805580 Ext.#555
Business Center (965) 22423555 - (965) 22423666
Fax (965) 22404110
P.O. Box 775, Safat 13008 - Kuwait
Emai kcci@kcci.org.kw
http://www.kuwaitchamber.org
*Registered companies in Kuwait are invited to attend foreign trade delegation meetings for business development and networking

Pakistan Business Association Kuwait
www.pbak.org

ASSOCIATIONS
Association of the US Army (AUSA).
AUSA is a private, non-profit educational organization that supports America's Army - Active, National Guard, Reserve, Civilians, Retirees and family members. AUSA provides numerous Professional Development Opportunities at a variety of events both local and national. AUSA conducts many projects aimed to support the US Army personnel located in Kuwait.
Darrell.crawford@chenega.com, Kuwait_chapter@ausa.org, http://www.ausa-kuwait.com

ANZAK, for Australians & New Zealanders Associating in Kuwait, functions as a network for expatriates from the smallest continent and its off-shore islands, and has strong links with the Australian and New Zealand Embassies in Riyadh for whom it acts as the umbrella organisation for the Australian and New Zealand warden systems. The following Indonesian associations are in Kuwait.
Canadians in Kuwait: Kuwait is a country that is aggressively opening itself to trade and foreign investment and which is offering great opportunities for Canada. Aims at fostering an effective and active social network among Canadian citizens who live and work in the State of Kuwait. E-mail: CiKmembership@gmail.com , website: http://canadiansinkuwait.community.officelive.com/default.aspx

Indonesian Communities in Kuwait.
Head of the Association - Mr. Muhammed Hasbi (Tel: 4839927-53). *Indonesian Nurses Association, Head of the Association - Mr. Suprivanto Suhadi Pawiro (Tel: 4713419/4882875).Indonesian Students Association Head of the Association - Mr. Miftah Arif., P.O. Box 22358, Safat 13084 Kuwait.


The Indian Arts Circle (IAC) is the umbrella organisation for over a hundred Indian organisations and is the only association in Kuwait recognised by the Government of India. The IAC organises family dinners, stage shows, arts festivals, and sporting events. The IAC promotes cultural activities and provides exchange facilities. Hon. President is Mr Mathews. Mob: 9825675


The Kuwait-America Foundation (KAF) (with offices in Kuwait) is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1991. Its core mission, inspired by Kuwait’s liberation by Allied Coalition forces in the Gulf War, is to express gratitude for American sacrifice during the Gulf War, and to strengthen ties between the peoples of the United States and Kuwait. 910 17th Street, NW Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20006, Tel: 202.293.4740, Fax: 202.293.4485, Email: info@kuwaitamerica.org


Kuwait Arts Association. Celebrating the 40 years anniversary with over 22 events varying from solo to group exhibitions, workshops to presentations, annual and biannual competitions. Beirut Street, Behind the college of Business Studies Hawally, Kuwait Phone: +965-2611863, e-mail: info@kuwait-arts.org, http://www.kuwait-arts.org/


Kuwait Economic Society. KES focuses on promoting economic growth and reform within Kuwait economy , capacity building for its members, promoting small businesses, lobbying for legislation reform, improving transparency and curbing corruption within public institutions and reducing "Wasta" (connections ) in order to provide equal opportunities among citizens, and strengthening its relationship with private and public sectors and international organizations. Northern Shuwaikh – Block 7 – Street 71 – Villa 18, P.O Box: 20513 Safat - 13066 Kuwait. Tel: 24847979 – 24847946, Fax: 24804048, E-mail: info@kesoc.org, Web: http://www.kesoc.org/

The Kuwait Irish Society promotes the coel, craic and culture of the most ancient civilisation in Western Europe as well as providing a network of Irish social connections.
The Polish Cultural Society (PCS) exists to promote Kuwaiti-Polish friendship. It provides social, cultural and sporting activities, as well as a library and information service, for the Polish community in Kuwait. All Poles and persons interested in Poland are cordially invited to contact Tel 2513704 Fax 5631008.


Portes Ouvertes is a cultural group for French-speaking women, from many countries living in Kuwait. Meetings are held every first Monday of the month. A lecture and visit to a place of interest is organised monthly, which gives members a chance to practise their French. For information contact portes_ouvertes@hotmail.com or may contact Ms. / Helen Bubiyan 9136249, Ms. Gabriel Kogiayk 9142902.


SOFFSIK, the Society of Filipinos and Foreign Spouses in Kuwait, aims to bridge the cultural gap between Filipinos and their foreign spouses by organising informal meetings and social gatherings every end of the month. New members are welcome from all sections of the local community. Contact (tel 241 0411 Fax 2429674)


The Kuwait Sri Lanka Cultural Association is for all Sri Lankans in Kuwait and meets regularly at the Sri Lankan Embassy. The Association undertakes charitable works in Kuwait and in Sri Lanka, and organises cultural activities such as stage shows and arts festivals. Contact Mr. Karannagoda tel 4833819


Social South Africans in Kuwait (SOSA-Q8) organizes socials events for South Africans and their friends to help expatriates to meet each other and to learn more about the culture.For membership and information contact: Dave Esmonde-White, chairmanTel. 5713389/7222134, Email: sasocialgroupq8@yahoo.com


There are several Bangladeshi cultural organisations active in Kuwait. These include the Bangladesh Association, Nirjan Cultural Organisation, United Cultural Organisation, Satadal Cultural Organisation, Sonar Tari Cultural Organisation, and Joy Bangla Sangscritic Ukya Jote.


The British Ladies Society is a social and contact group for British citizens, the wives of British citizens and all ladies from countries whose affairs are handled by the British Embassy.
The Kuwait Caledonians organise social events for Scots and other nationals to promote and celebrate Scottish culture and traditions.


The Canadian Women's League is an informal support group for expatriate women living in Kuwait. To help members learn about and enjoy the culture they live in, the league organises tours to local museums and art galleries and holds meetings with guest speakers. Further details from Ms. Sherlin Tel 5319429.


Association Francophonie, was established instead of the French Cultural Center. It is a library of 18000 books and literature, in 2000, DVD, 2000 cassette and video. Many of the Association's activities including film presentations, and various other exhibitions such as Christmas Bazaar, Francophonie week .... Etc., registration tel: 2582075, fax: 2574803.


COOL, the Council of Leaders of Filipino Communities in Kuwait, is the coordinating council for all Filipino sports, regional, cultural, ethnic and religious organisations. Its aim is to promote harmonious relations among the Filipino communities in Kuwait. Chairman Efren Rivera Tel 9535305.

Filipino Cultural Club (FCC) promotes the cultural heritage of the Philippines and develops Philippino talents in Kuwait, by presenting dances, songs, plays and even painting workshops. President Maria Socorro Palacios Al-Ameri. Tel 532 5924/ 4836632


The British Council in Mansouriya arranges cultural activities and English classes. Its Information & Media Centre, which charges fees for membership, has a wide range of library and related services such as details on study opportunities in the UK. Tel 2515512 / 2520068.


The British Schools are a group of 14 local schools that provide tuition in a range of academic and leisure pursuits, including ballet, basketball, ballroom dancing, creative arts, computing, drama, languages, music, martial arts, jassercise, soccer, swimming, skating and tennis, for children and adults.


The Language Circle is an informal gathering of people from various countries who practice speaking a foreign language together. Main languages are French, Italian, Spanish and German, though other languages are often spoken depending on the current members. Contact June Gowing, tel:5655728. e-mail: june_gowing@hotmail.com


Despite its name, the Landscape Execution Association of Filipinos (LEAF) welcomes members from all nationalities. Its objects are to promote professional relationships among persons who work in landscaping and irrigation. LEAF organises seminars, workshop, training on landscaping. President Lito Mercado tel :6519668/572 3194.


English Speaking Club Kuwait offers opportunity to converse regularly in English with professionals to ensure fluency, vocabulary and grammar. Membership open to all nationalities. For details contact co-ordinator: Moonirah tel 9465502.

Volunteering in Kuwait

Here is a well collected list of places you can volunteer in Kuwait prepared by Desert Girl

Volunteering in Kuwait

As an expat in Kuwait, you may occasionally find yourself with free time on your hands. Your spouse and children might need something to do as well. Like being in your home country, there are many people in your local community who could use your assistance.

Volunteerism in Kuwait isn’t terribly different from what we are used to. There are still special needs, elderly, animal rights, and environmental groups. If you worry about a language barrier, when it comes down to compassion, no one really cares what language you speak. You will find that you will get your point across one way or another; and perhaps learn more about the local culture than you thought.

The listings below (in alphabetical order) represent ways in which you can help your local community. Remember that if you are too busy to donate your time, you can always donate resources.

Abeer2. Abeer2 is part of the Kuwait Voluntary Work Center (KVWC) (see below). It is a volunteer program in assistance of children with special needs in Kuwait. The program includes various activities: After school program, summer camp, life skills training, horseback riding, field trips, sports, workforce training. For additional information, contact: Phone/fax: 25382802, phone: 7400062, 7550443, http://www.abeer2.com/ or see their sub-page on the KVWC site listed below.

Al Kharafi Activity Kids Center. The center was developed to help special needs children play with their peers within a safe and enjoyable environment whilst developing their physical, emotional, social, and verbal abilities. We concentrate on training the children to deal with each other and communicate in a nurturing non-discriminatory environment. Volunteers play a vital role in running the center. For information visit http://www.kharafi-akc.org.kw/

Animal Friends League (AFL). “We strive to improve the quality of animals' lives in Kuwait by rescuing animals and providing them with shelter, food and medical attention; educating people about the basic needs and proper treatment and care of animals. We also encourage spaying and neutering to control the animal overpopulation. The need of animals in Kuwait has never been greater. Once cherished family members, pets can now be found in alarming numbers wandering the streets in a pitiful condition. A number of people discovered this need and realized that something had to be done; thus, Animal Friends League of Kuwait was born.” For more information visit http://www.animalfriendskuwait.org/

Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice. A hospice is a program or facility that provides special care for people who are near the end of life and for their families. Volunteers make a difference in a child's life in hospital, bringing about a sense of normality, care, and fun. Throughout the years volunteers have unselfishly given their time by contributing in many different ways, helping provide children in hospital with a friendly positive atmosphere. Whether it is by playing with the children in hospital, decorating the pediatric wards to promote a child friendly environment, helping in the office or at fundraising events, volunteers play a significant role in supporting KACCH in its aims and goals. For information on how to volunteer, visit http://www.kacch.org/ or phone 2246-4723.


Down Syndrome Center. Phone 24821541 or 24824542. Fax: 24821540. Website http://wwww.q8ds.com/
Indian Women’s Association. The Indian Women’s Association IWA is pleased to announce the start of its ‘Spread a Special Smile’ project. The project seeks to provide students with the opportunity to become involved as volunteers, in a summer project during June till August, spending time with the Special Needs Children of the Kuwait Society for the Handicapped. The goal of this project besides the enriching and positive experience of ‘Spread a Special Smile’ will help students explore their feelings, examine their values, discover their own special individuality and promote awareness and understanding of special needs children. Contact the IWA at kuwait@hotmail.com (Note that the IWA coordinates other volunteer projects throughout the year.)

Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital. (See “Bayt Abdullah” above.) Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital (KACCH) is a non-governmental charitable organization registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in 2003. It was founded informally in 1989 to help children and their families cope with the stresses of hospitalization. It is managed by volunteers and funded by donations from organizations, businesses, banks, schools and individuals within Kuwait. Volunteer to play with / read to children in hospitals through http://www.kacch.org/

Kuwait Blind Association. Volunteer to accompany the blind on trips and read to them by calling 25654105 / 25654160 / 25622245 / 25622300 in Maidan Hawalli.

Kuwait Center for Autism. Phone: 22540351 or 22540179. Fax: 22540247. Website: http://www.q8autism.com/

Kuwait Dive Team. The Kuwait Dive Team volunteers regularly tackle marine projects in Kuwait including freeing trapped turtles, installing boat mooring buoys away from coral reefs, adding to the coral environment, salvaging sunken boats, fishing nets, debris and waste. If you would like to volunteer your diving skills in assistance of these endeavors (or provide resources), Visit http://www.freekuwait.org/ or http://www.kdt.ksclub.org/, Phone: 24826777

Kuwait Orphanage. (Department of Family Nursery), Ministry of Social Affairs & Labor. The orphanage is located at the UN roundabout in Sulaybikhat. Director: Dr. Fahad Al-Wardan. Phone: 24878949. Fax: 2487-9636

Kuwait Red Crescent Society. The Red Crescent is a volunteer organization which helps those in need in times of disaster. Membership to the Kuwait Red Crescent Society is open to all persons supporting its objectives and principles without discrimination. Its activities are spread through the following committees: Relief Committee, Social Committee, Info - cultural Committee, Public Relations & Income Generating, International Affairs Bureau, Emergency Committee, Training and First Aid Program, Youth Group Office, " BALSAM " Project, Prison office, Search for Missing Persons, Membership. For information on how to volunteer, visit http://www.krcs.net/.

Kuwait Sea Turtle Rescue Network. Volunteer to rescue/care for sea turtles by calling 2656 6623/4/5. E-mail: kuwaitturtles@hotmail.com
Kuwait Society for the Handicapped. http://www.kshkw.com/. handicapped@kshkw.com. Phone: 22632343 or 22631277. Fax: 22642630

LOYAC (Lothan Youth Achievement Center) LoYAC is a non-profit organization working towards the overall development of youth in Kuwait. K4K (Kuwait for Kenya) is a project of volunteers will fundraise, promote, and volunteer in order to assist the Youth Counseling Center in Mombassa, Kenya to continue to provide and develop its services and programs to the child/youth community. K4K is a divisional project under the K4W (Kuwait for the World) initiative. In addition to volunteer programs, LOYAC places young Kuwaiti interns through summer programs. Your company may be able to assist. Visit http://www.loyac.org/contact.htm

Operation Hope.
Operation Hope is a mission that seeks to Help Others Practically & Evangelically by providing gifts of coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and socks for those less fortunate during the colder season in Kuwait & to share the love of Christ by serving them as He called us to do.
Operation Hope is a non-profit, non-political organization operating in the State of Kuwait. Founded in 2005 by Sheryll Mairza, Operation Hope relies on volunteers and donors to fulfill its mission.http://www.operationhopekuwait.com/.

Protecting Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). PAWS strives to provide assistance to homeless, neglected and abandoned animals by providing veterinary care, rescue and adoption services, to animals in Kuwait in partnership with their rescuers. You can assist Kuwait’s rescued pets in many ways. You can donate your time. Even a hour or two each week or month would help provide comfort to sheltered pets. If you can’t donate time you can help us with donations of money, food or supplies. For information on how to volunteer, visit http://www.paws-kuwait.org/index.php?vol.

Kuwait Voluntary Work Centre (KVWC). The KVWC is Chaired by Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The KVWC works on various volunteer projects including work with children with special needs, protection of the environment (desert and sea – including desert/sea clean-up activities). The group is often in the local media working with His Highness the Emir on environmental protection activities. (Arabic website – Google translator) http://www.kuwaitvolunteers.com/. Phone: 24750746 2فاكس:4768443 Fax: 24768443. البريد الالكتروني:info@kuwaitvolunteers.com E-mail: info@kuwaitvolunteers.com

The Ultimate Volunteer: Become an Organ Donor
God forbid, but accidents do happen everywhere. Consider becoming an organ donor in Kuwait by contacting the Kuwait Transplant Society and requesting an organ donor card. Phone 22520147, 22520230, Fax: 22560751.