Alshaya shows support for Mentor Arabia

14 ابريل 2013

The private sector urged to support the region's young people and combat drug dependency

In line with its ongoing commitment to support the development of young people in the region, Alshaya was pleased to be a sponsor and host for Mentor Arabia's fundraising gala dinner and charity auction held at The Avenues in Kuwait. Mentor Arabia is a regional non-governmental Foundation that advocates for drug prevention among Arab children and youth and is part of the Mentor International Foundation.

The event, held on 13 April, was attended by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, Honorary Board Member of Mentor International and His Royal Highness Prince Turki Bin Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, President of the Board of Mentor.

Hosted by Mohammed Alshaya in his capacity as a Board member of Mentor Arabia and Trustee of Mentor International since 2006, the gala dinner and auction raised over $US700,000 for the charity which will help Mentor Arabia implement various drug prevention and awareness programmes, aimed at protecting the lives of millions of young people across the Arab world.

Speaking at the event Mohammed Alshaya called on Kuwait's businesses, families and organisations to work together in the fight against drug dependency. "When people ask me why I support Mentor Arabia, the answer is simple. In a part of the world where two thirds of the population are under the age of 24, our youth should be at the heart of everything we do. It is our duty as businesses and business leaders to do all we can to invest in the lives of our young people. None of us can afford to sit idle, for if we do, the cost will be greater than any of us can imagine – and one of those costs is drug dependency."

H&M and Starbucks, two of the leading international brands that Alshaya operates in the Middle East, were also involved in supporting the event through in-store competitions and awareness-building activities.