British Ladies Society of Kuwait (BLS), Operation HOPE: A Mission of Mercy, and Touch of Hope Kuwait are joining forces for an art sale that will have a positive impact in both Kuwait and the United Kingdom, as well as please local art lovers. It isn’t often that the public gets a chance to closely observe and appreciate the curation of art and artifacts over five decades of world travels, however a compact yet impressive selection from a previously unseen collection will be placed on sale featuring fixed prices, with only a choice few art pieces being put to auction. If you are lucky enough to purchase pieces from this exhibition, you can also be satisfied knowing that one hundred percent of the sales will go toward benefitting a number of worthy causes.
This stunning collection of international art and artifacts for sale has been lovingly picked-up over the years by Mrs. Rhoda Elizabeth Muhmood MBE. Mrs. Muhmood is the recently-retired Director of the Kuwait English School, and a recipient of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). She was presented with the prestigious MBE title by the now late H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of dedicated service to both education and charity work, having been a founding member in 1991 of the Foundation of Hope; current President Dr. Adel Quttaineh.
A pioneer in British education in Kuwait since 1971, Mrs. Muhmood is also an art lover. She spent over half a century acquiring paintings, artwork and artifacts in Kuwait, and during her travels around the globe. Original oil paintings from the Arab world, batiks from Bali, intricate metalwork designs in ornate inlaid frames from Iran, elephants embroidered in metallic threads and sequins from India, original Vietnamese art, and beautiful ceramics and sculptures are all included in this unique collection. Mrs. Muhmood has generously donated her artwork and artifacts in order to help several worthy organisations the works of which range from the care of rescued animals to addressing the challenges of learning differences in education.
Her Excellency the British Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis is expected to be in attendance alongside the patron of the British Ladies Society, and spouse to the current British Ambassador, Anthony Galvin. There will be musical entertainment provided by Ahmadi Music Group and complimentary snacks and refreshments throughout the day’s event.
The two nominated charities supported by the British Ladies Society for 2022-2023 are KALD and Cherished Gowns so a proportion of the funds raised will go to these two organizations. The Kuwaiti Association for Learning Differences (KALD) is a non-profit that collaboratively works towards helping many individuals, especially schoolchildren in need of special education in Kuwait. Among the children’s challenges are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning differences. KALD addresses these conditions by setting up awareness programs, training courses, and other educational activities.
Cherished Gowns UK is a charity that provides the families of babies that are stillborn, miscarried, or pass away shortly after birth with items of clothing that the babies are able to be dressed in for their funeral. Each gown is accompanied by a hat, pair of booties, a blanket, and a cloth nappy. These items are provided completely free of charge to parents, and funeral directors, and they also supply every UK hospital with this service. All the items provided are lovingly made by volunteers.
The two other organizations that will benefit from the sale are both local; Operation HOPE and Touch of Hope. Operation HOPE: A Mission of Mercy was established by Sheryll Mairza in 2005. During the cold Kuwaiti winter, Sheryll had observed an emaciated street cleaner shivering in threadbare clothing, wearing ill-fitting old shoes, and gave him a new jacket and other warm apparel. After this poignant encounter, she vowed no cleaners should suffer from the cold and her Winter Warmth Campaign was born. Since then, many thousands of underprivileged people in Kuwait have been gifted with winter clothing. Operation HOPE also supplies embassy shelters with essential toiletry items on a regular basis and helps needy expatriates with medical treatment, education, repatriation expenses, and other aid to help them.
Touch of Hope Kuwait animal rescue is run by Lebanese Marlene Bou Gedeon, a long-time resident of Kuwait who has dedicated her life to alleviating the serious problem of stray, abused, abandoned, sick, and injured animals suffering on our streets. Touch of Hope has four rented farms where rescued cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, horses, goats, and donkeys receive love, care, and the chance for adoption. The nature of the work is brutally challenging, physically, emotionally, and financially, yet endlessly rewarding. Touch of Hope is currently expanding its mission and is developing sports and education programs that promote the many benefits of the relationship between people and animals, especially children. This will eventually develop into a long-term project that will serve people, animals, and the nation of Kuwait for generations to come. Touch of Hope’s share of the sale proceeds will be used to help pay for medical treatment for rescued animals at local vet clinics.
Don’t miss out on a rare chance to view and own gorgeous art & artifacts and do an incredible amount of good at the same time!
A Benefit Sale of International Art & Artifacts donated by Rhoda Elizabeth Muhmood MBE is on Saturday, 29 October, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, in the lower ground Dar El Cid exhibition hall, Jabriya. This is a one-day event. Sales are cash only. Entrance tickets can be purchased for 6KD at the door. Follow or DM @blskuwait on Instagram for more information on how and where to buy your tickets early. Thank you to Boushahri Group for sponsoring refreshments.
Find out more about the organisations supported on: kaldkuwait.com, cherishedgowns.org.uk, @OperationHopeKuwait on Facebook, @touch_of_hope_q8 on Instagram, or on Facebook @marlenebougedeon.