Jar Saleh

Capt. Karl Bolt, a native of Stockton, Calif. and stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, tosses the opening jump ball at an elementary girls’ basketball game at the American School of Doha. Bolt is currently serving as the president of Jar Saleh, which is Arabic for “Good Neighbor.” Jar Saleh is a private volunteer organization at AUAB since 2012, focused on relationship-building engagements in the local community to develop long lasting partnerships and cultivate a sense of community. Jar Saleh continues to provide the largest number of volunteer hours of all the private organizations on base, averaging nearly 3,000 volunteer hours quarterly. Bolt is stationed here as a logistics readiness officer for the Air Force Central Command’s War Reserve Materiels. (Courtesy photo)

Jar Saleh

Volunteers from Al Udeid Air Base who are members of Jar Saleh help with the local Boy Scout troop in Doha, Qatar. Jar Saleh, which is Arabic for “Good Neighbor,” is a private volunteer organization at AUAB since 2012, focused on relationship-building engagements in the local area to develop long lasting partnerships and cultivate a sense of community. Volunteer opportunities are abundant with the American School of Doha, the local orphanage, the local animal shelter and with the Boy and Girl Scout troops. Jar Saleh continues to provide the largest number of volunteer hours of all the private organizations on base, averaging nearly 3,000 volunteer hours quarterly. (Courtesy photo)

Jar Saleh

Jar Saleh, which is Arabic for “Good Neighbor,” is a private volunteer organization at Al Udeid Air Base since 2012 focused on relationship-building engagements in the local area to develop long lasting partnerships and cultivate a sense of community. Jar Saleh continues to provide the largest number of volunteer hours of all the private organizations on base, averaging nearly 3,000 volunteer hours quarterly.

Good neighbors, good partnerships

Published Jan. 17, 2014
By Maj. Nicole David
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR - -- Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, along with Joint and Coalition forces on Al Udeid Air Base, strive to be good neighbors to the host nation, Qatar. Relationship-building engagements in the local community develop long lasting partnerships and cultivate a sense of community. This is the goal of AUAB's volunteer organization known as Jar Saleh.

Jar Saleh is the Arabic translation for "Good Neighbor" and this concept emerged when several Airmen wanted to make every day count while on deployment and put service before self. Jar Saleh has been an established private volunteer organization at Al Udeid since 2011 and continues to provide the largest amount of volunteer hours of all the private organizations on base, averaging nearly 3,000 volunteer hours quarterly.

"When I first got here in March 2013, I wanted to get involve and participate in something that would give me the opportunity to learn more about the culture of our host nation," said Capt. Karl Bolt, a native of Stockton, Calif. and stationed here at Al Udeid Air Base. "I liked what Jar Saleh stood for and the opportunity to build bridges between the base community and the local community." Bolt is currently serving as the Jar Saleh president while stationed here as a logistics readiness officer and will be moving to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. upon his return.

Jar Saleh offers a variety of volunteer opportunities that appeal to almost everyone. One can volunteer to walk dogs at the local animal shelter, read to children at the orphanage, or participate in activities at the American School of Doha, which could be volunteering during class to help students with academics or playing sports and games with kids at the K-12 school. There are also opportunities to help with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts organizations in Doha.

"Our students have always benefitted from the positive role models the military brings when they come over to compete with our teams," said David Farmer, Director of Athletics and Activities at the American School of Doha. "The one thing we ask of our student athletes is that they represent our school and community in a positive way, and I always know that every individual from the Air Force base will demonstrate these same qualities."

Jar Saleh is a way to reach out and connect to others; to the Qataris, to other Americans and to other nationalities living in Qatar. Not only do the volunteers give back, but also experience enrichment that they otherwise might not experience on a deployment.
"I enjoy what I am doing when I volunteer so it doesn't feel like I am providing a service," remarked Bolt, "It just feels like I get to participate in something that I like to do."

Farmer says he anticipates this is a win-win for everyone and that it is a great opportunity for their students and community when the military comes to the school.

"I hope the experience is a benefit for those from the base as well. I know it is difficult being away from your families, but I hope that by coming over to the American School of Doha, it gives people a little taste of home."