Nasifa and Hilal in Qatif: Empowering 9 productive families with the support of the Development Bank
In a move reflecting the strategic shift in charitable and social work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saihat Social Services Association (Saada) has enabled nine productive families to enter the job market directly through the "Nasifa and Hilal" event currently being held on the waterfront in Qatif Governorate. This initiative comes with strategic support and an active partnership with the Social Development Bank in the Eastern Province, with the aim of empowering beneficiaries and moving them from a state of dependency and need to one of productivity and financial independence.
Shift from welfare to sustainable development
This initiative is the culmination of a unique partnership between the non-profit and financial sectors, where efforts have combined to integrate these families into a truly competitive business environment. This step aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which focuses on increasing the non-profit sector's contribution to the GDP and transforming families receiving social security and those in need into productive and economically active households. The event allows participants to engage directly with the public and test the quality of their products outside of traditional support channels, thus honing their sales, marketing, and customer service skills.
The waterfront: a promising marketing platform
The Qatif waterfront is a strategic location for hosting such events, given the high population density and tourist interest in the area. This provides productive families with a golden opportunity to showcase their products to a wide segment of society. Through this initiative, the association aims to open up broad marketing horizons for home-based businesses, enabling them to build a genuine customer base that guarantees a continuous flow of funds. This will gradually transform them from micro-enterprises into promising economic entities capable of growth and sustainability.
Financial support to establish a culture of self-employment
The support provided by the Eastern Province branch of the Social Development Bank is a cornerstone of this transformation, reflecting the financial sector's commitment to supporting the non-profit sector in fulfilling its developmental role. This support extends beyond financial assistance to fostering a culture of self-employment among families, encouraging them to become self-reliant rather than waiting for one-time aid.
Success stories that go beyond flash sales
In a related context, the Director of Development Programs, Ghada Al-Saif, confirmed that the ultimate goal of this participation goes beyond just temporary sales during the days of the event, to reach the consolidation of the concept of self-reliance, and creating inspiring success stories for families who were able to transform, thanks to will and support, from need to production.
Al-Saif considered the presence of families at such public events a genuine opportunity to develop the brand identity of products and gain the trust of local consumers, thus enhancing opportunities for future expansion and growth. She added that this collaboration exemplifies a practical model of the desired integration between community institutions and funding bodies to achieve family and social stability through economic empowerment, in line with comprehensive national development plans.
