‘Leave a trace’ wins gold for best initiative at Arab Group contest

AMMAN — “Utruk Athar” or “Leave a trace initiative” won the Arab Group contest for the best initiative in the Arab world and was honoured with a gold medal.

The initiative was founded in 2017, by six passionate volunteers, in the Aqaba Governorate. Now, over 120 individuals have willingly volunteered in the initiative to serve their community and leave a positive impact, according to a statement by the founders.   

“The initiative focuses on youth; we aim to employ youth’s energy in a productive manner that benefits both youth and our community,” Nabeel Zu’bi, initiative co-founder, told The Jordan Times.

Zu’bi noted that the initiative is organised and sponsored by the founders, presenting diverse activities that have a long-lasting impact.

“Damak Asal”, is a blood donation platform founded by the initiative, any individual who wishes to donate blood or receive a blood donation signs up on the platform. The platform then creates a person-to-person connection between the donors and the patients based on their blood type, making blood donation easier and more effective, according to Zu’bi.  

“Reinforcing the volunteering spirit and commitment among the youth, is our main goal,” Zu’bi noted.

“We aim to strengthen life skills for youth, by engaging them with the surrounding community, and also by building a commitment towards the less fortunate individuals around them,” Mohammad Theeb Kreeshan, initiative founder told The Jordan Times. 

Serving cancer patients and people with disabilities, planting the streets of Aqaba, painting the governorate’s pavement, recycling and organising medical campaigns are among the most remarkable activities organised by the initiative, the statement added. 

Kreeshan noted that winning the Arab Group contest is considered an accomplishment for the founders. He added that knowing that the hard work put into organising and working in the initiative is appreciated is a motivation for the founders to work harder in serving the community and empowering youth.