By Elias Mohamed
(Zaman al-Wasl) Ayman Saif came to the Yemeni capital Sana'a ten years ago to invest in the country and trade in Syrian products. Over time, he made enough capital to open a Damascene sweets and spice factory. He also became an agent for some Syrian food products and food products from other countries being imported to Yemen.
Saif opened a Syrian Falafel restaurant in Sana'a eight months ago. One day he noticed a poor child trying to get a free meal by using an order bill that had fallen from one of the restaurant customers. This was his first motive to launch his humanitarian initiative. Saif’s ‘al-Mouallem’ restaurant offers free meals to those who do not have enough money to pay for a meal. There is a sign at the restaurant entrance stating that, “A sandwich is free for those who do not have the money.” Based on this anyone in need who comes to the restaurant is given a Falafel sandwich and a cup of tea.
Speaking to Zaman al-Wasl, Saif said that the war has resulted in extreme poverty affecting many of Yemen’s citizens. Many families are unable to provide daily meals for all family members and Saif explained that everyday school age students come to the restaurant looking very tired from hunger. All these factors prompted him to launch his humanitarian initiative even though he is not Yemeni.
Saif’s restaurant offers around 340 sandwiches daily. Most of the people coming for the free meals are daily laborers, school age students, and homeless people. For all these people, the restaurant has become a daily refuge and a place for them to take their daily need of food.
When asked about his concern for Yemenis’ living conditions, Saif explained that he feels that he belongs to Yemen because of the welcome he received during his stay. He added that the humanitarian crisis Yemen witnessing is very similar to what is happening in Syria due to the war that has been ongoing for the past six years.
Ayman Saif’s initiative received great interest and admiration from Yemeni citizens, who circulated news of it and spoke about it on social media networks. Some of them adopted a similar idea to help the poor such as the ‘charity laboratory’, the ‘charity restaurant’ and other similar initiatives.
Saif was very happy after hearing about these similar projects and initiatives. He does not see that he is losing anything or that his income is declining after expanding his philanthropic activity. He added that he is not losing due to the increasing number of poor people who frequent his restaurant given they know the restaurant offers a free meal to all in need.
(Zaman al-Wasl) Ayman Saif came to the Yemeni capital Sana'a ten years ago to invest in the country and trade in Syrian products. Over time, he made enough capital to open a Damascene sweets and spice factory. He also became an agent for some Syrian food products and food products from other countries being imported to Yemen.
Saif opened a Syrian Falafel restaurant in Sana'a eight months ago. One day he noticed a poor child trying to get a free meal by using an order bill that had fallen from one of the restaurant customers. This was his first motive to launch his humanitarian initiative. Saif’s ‘al-Mouallem’ restaurant offers free meals to those who do not have enough money to pay for a meal. There is a sign at the restaurant entrance stating that, “A sandwich is free for those who do not have the money.” Based on this anyone in need who comes to the restaurant is given a Falafel sandwich and a cup of tea.
Speaking to Zaman al-Wasl, Saif said that the war has resulted in extreme poverty affecting many of Yemen’s citizens. Many families are unable to provide daily meals for all family members and Saif explained that everyday school age students come to the restaurant looking very tired from hunger. All these factors prompted him to launch his humanitarian initiative even though he is not Yemeni.
Saif’s restaurant offers around 340 sandwiches daily. Most of the people coming for the free meals are daily laborers, school age students, and homeless people. For all these people, the restaurant has become a daily refuge and a place for them to take their daily need of food.
When asked about his concern for Yemenis’ living conditions, Saif explained that he feels that he belongs to Yemen because of the welcome he received during his stay. He added that the humanitarian crisis Yemen witnessing is very similar to what is happening in Syria due to the war that has been ongoing for the past six years.
Ayman Saif’s initiative received great interest and admiration from Yemeni citizens, who circulated news of it and spoke about it on social media networks. Some of them adopted a similar idea to help the poor such as the ‘charity laboratory’, the ‘charity restaurant’ and other similar initiatives.
Saif was very happy after hearing about these similar projects and initiatives. He does not see that he is losing anything or that his income is declining after expanding his philanthropic activity. He added that he is not losing due to the increasing number of poor people who frequent his restaurant given they know the restaurant offers a free meal to all in need.
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