Within
the framework of its corporate social responsibility, and to strengthen its
position as an effective and responsible member of the community, Al Mathaaq
Hospitality, the leading casual dining company in Jeddah, has launched a CSR
program in partnership with Ektefaa, a charitable organization in the Makkah
region, with the aim of tackling three major social issues in the Kingdom;
education, training and Saudi youth employment.
The
program, which launched this Ramadan, is running until mid-October through each
of the company’s six restaurants, Aseil, Kalila, Square Meater, Pan Jan, Semsom
and Margherita.
The
program involves the local community of Jeddah giving back to its fellow peers,
where it will participate in building a better future for the society.
Throughout
Ramadan, the company contributed SR5 from each purchase of an Iftar set menu and
is now sharing SR2 from purchases of selected items from each of its six
restaurants in Jeddah.
The
total amount will be entrusted to Ektefaa, who will commence a pre-planned
training program with individuals that they have selected to take part, eventually
leading them to earn a job in the hospitality field with Al Mathaaq.
Dr.
Youssef El Habbal, CEO of Al Mathaaq Hospitality, said: “As a Saudi company, we
have a responsibility towards our community by investing in the social fabric
and supporting the Saudi youth’s education, training and employment, providing
them a greater chance towards a more prosperous future.”
“The
current CSR program we have implemented focuses on a fundamental issue within
our youth society, where education and training are vital for young Saudis on
the hunt for jobs.
Our
collaboration with Ektefaa, along with the training program they have
developed, concentrates on benefiting the youth by developing their
employability skills and creating a pool of Saudi talent which will add value
to the world of hospitality,” El Habbal added.
El
Habbal explained “with future endeavors, we will continue to raise awareness on
some of the social challenges to help build a better community and we hope to
continue to forge a reputation as a responsible business, becoming a pioneer
within the hospitality industry in corporate social responsibility.”
Al
Mathaaq’s education and Saudi youth employment CSR program aims at educating
and training the Saudi youth to enhance their opportunities in finding suitable
jobs, wherein they contribute to become productive members of the community.
Ektefaa
have planned and developed the training program that will allow selected
individuals to easily enter the field of hospitality and kick-start their
future careers.
Jawaher
Al Qurashi, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Public
Relations and Marketing at Ektefaa, said: “We, at Ektefaa, are enthused about
the initiative presented by Al Mathaaq, to help train and employ some of the
surveyed youth in Jeddah, allowing them to realize their potential and secure
their reach towards self-sufficiency.
Al
Mathaaq’s CSR program, in collaboration with Ektefaa, is a step in the right
direction for youth revival and empowerment.”
“We
hope that many other CSR bodies will follow suit and make use of Ektefaa's huge
database of needy families and programs, with the aim of enhancing the
potential for the development of this community,” Al Qurashi added.
-Saudi
Gazette
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