Maali Alasousi

I dedicated myself to humanitarian work, as it is a way of life

About

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Volunteering Years

Some journeys are measured by the years they span, while others are measured by the impact a person leaves on the lives of others. Over nearly three decades, serving humanity has been the essence of Maali Alasousi’s journey, driven by a firm belief that humanitarian work is not confined to fleeting initiatives but is built on a long-term commitment, responsibility, and a genuine faith in the power of people to create change. From the very beginning, this journey was tied to a deep conviction that the value of giving is not measured by its scale, but by the sincerity of its impact and its continuity. Thus, Alasousi, from the outset, ensured a diversity of initiatives and experiences between volunteering, community development, and participation in humanitarian efforts aimed at creating better opportunities for target communities and strengthening values of participation, responsibility, and contributing to building more sustainable opportunities for individuals and future generations. Across years of fieldwork and accumulated experiences, the aim was never confined to achieving a milestone for its own sake, but rather striving to create lasting impact, sharing expertise and knowledge, and contributing to establishing a humanitarian culture that believes that true development begins with the person and ends with them. In addition, Alasousi earned a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Planning and Management from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and then she obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Maastricht University, which enhanced her academic experience and strengthened her leadership role in development work. From this perspective, this website serves as both a platform for documentation and knowledge, a space that shares experiences, records milestones, and opens the door for researchers, enthusiasts, and the new generation to explore a humanitarian and professional journey that has spanned years of work and giving, with the belief that when experiences are shared, they become more capable of inspiring and more valuable in shaping the future

Contributions to Societal Development

She is considered a pioneering figure in volunteerism and community development. Her humanitarian journey began at an early age when she joined the Red Crescent and the Red Cross as the youngest Kuwaiti volunteer during "Desert Storm" in 1991. As a social entrepreneur, she has since participated in numerous humanitarian and development initiatives both within Kuwait and internationally, making a lasting impact on communities and promoting the values of volunteerism, giving, and social responsibility.

.Al-Asousi co-founded the first Business and Professional Women’s Club in Kuwait, which was officially launched in April 2009 under the umbrella of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPWI), which holds consultative status under the United Nations (UN).

In April 2010, in collaboration with the Kuwait Economic Society, she published her first book titled "The Small Business Guide," in partnership with the Middle East and North Africa Businesswomen’s Network (MENABWN). This book is distributed free of charge to support women, youth, and all those taking their first steps in the business world.

Al-Asousi served as the Planning and Development Manager for the "Ta’heel" project, aimed at eradicating computer illiteracy, in collaboration with Microsoft and Kuwaiti Community Development Centers. During her management of the project, from 2009 until 2010, approximately 600 trainees graduated.

In her regional efforts, in the Middle East, in 2007, Al-Asousi founded the "Tamkeen" initiative in Yemen. This initiative later became a nonprofit development organization focused on improving the quality of life in the community, with a particular emphasis on empowering women and youth through development projects without profit goals.

Al-Asousi focused on transferring her extensive expertise in development and community work by delivering workshops and training sessions. She conducted over 150 courses and workshops, passing on her knowledge that spanned more than three decades, and contributed to enhancing the capacities of individuals and organizations in the Middle East.

Awards

In 2011, she was nominated for the title of Best Humanitarian Personality in the Gulf region, held in the Sultanate of Oman.
Tamkeen for Development Organization, founded by Maali Al-Asousi in the Republic of Yemen, received its first award, the “Best Independent Initiative” Award, under the Civil Society Pioneers Award in the Sultanate of Oman.
She received the "Community Service" Award representing Kuwait during the Education Day celebrations in Ajman-UAE in 2013.
She was ranked among the 35 Women Who Changed the Arab World in the book Arab Women Rising, published by the Wharton School in the United States in 2014.
She was ranked among the 100 Most Powerful Women in the Arab World in 2015.
She received the "Arab Woman in Philanthropy" Award as part of the Arab Woman Award in 2015.
In 2017, she earned the title and award of "Arab Hope Maker" as part of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Initiatives in the UAE.
She was awarded the "Arab Woman Pioneer" Award in 2017 by the TAKREEM initiative in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
She was honored with the "Responsible Community Leadership Woman" Medal by the Women’s Center for Community Responsibility, a member of the Regional Network for Social Responsibility in Qatar, in 2018.
She was awarded the "Humanitarian Work Sash" in Kuwait in 2018.
She was honored at the British House of Lords during the Humanitarian Friendship Ceremony held in London in 2018.
The Ministry of Education honored her by including her humanitarian story in the curriculum for the fourth-grade class in Kuwait in 2018
She was awarded the "State Excellence Shield", the third-highest shield of its kind in the Republic of Iraq, in 2019.
In 2019, she was honored by the Gulf International Forum in the United States for her exceptional humanitarian career and dedication to humanitarian work.
A full chapter of a research book was dedicated to her humanitarian journey, published by the Islamic Charitable Work Center in partnership with Indiana University in the United States in 2020.
She was honored by Direct Aid Organization in 2022 for her contributions in leading the Yemen office as the first regional director to lead an office in a conflict zone in the organization’s history.
She was honored by the VO non-profit platform on Kuwaiti Women’s Day in 2026 in recognition of her humanitarian and societal contributions.