About Us
A small collective serving the communities of Hadramaut, Yemen — quietly, for more than six years.
A Journey of Service
Waarif Welfare grew from a shared desire amongst a group of friends, professionals and community members to serve people in need — particularly the communities of Yemen and Hadramaut.
For more than six years, our team has collectively supported and developed charitable, community and medical projects in the region. Some members have longstanding personal connections with Yemen; others contribute through medicine, fundraising, organisation and education. What brings us together is a simple principle: service is not about the individual who gives — it is about recognising a need and doing what we can, together, to meet it.
Built on Relationships
Our work has never simply been about sending aid from the UK. Over the years, close relationships have developed with families, doctors, scholars, community leaders, healthcare workers and charitable organisations on the ground.
"What does the community actually need? What already exists locally? Who is already doing good work? How can we strengthen it?"
Wherever possible, Waarif Welfare works alongside local people and existing organisations rather than building structures around ourselves. We believe sustainable service begins with listening.
Behind every project are many people whose names will never appear on this website — donors who give quietly, volunteers who give their time, local teams who identify needs and deliver assistance. Waarif Welfare is simply one means through which all of that goodness can come together.
From Relief to Resilience
Our ambition is not necessarily to grow bigger — it is to become more useful.
2020
Serve
Simple, direct acts of service where donations could quickly reach families — beginning with our annual Qurbani programme.
↓
2021–22
Reach
Food, Zakat, education, medicines, medical equipment, oxygen and emergency flood relief.
↓
2023–25
Sustain
Funding services that run year-round, including the 24-hour emergency department, plus solar power for farms.
↓
2026 +
Strengthen
Training, clinical protocols, physiotherapy and sustainable healthcare built alongside local professionals.
Healthcare
Healthcare has become an increasingly important part of our work. With several healthcare professionals within the Waarif team and a growing network of clinicians supporting us, we hope to build stronger connections between medical professionals in the UK and Yemen.
- Medical camps and clinics
- Essential medical equipment and supplies
- Support for local healthcare services
- Preventative medicine and health education
- Clinical teaching and professional development
- Training and empowering junior doctors, nurses and students
- Connecting challenging clinical cases with specialists
- Developing sustainable healthcare projects
Our aim is not to replace local healthcare professionals — it is to stand beside them, strengthen what already exists and share knowledge wherever it may be useful.
How We Work
Service, dignity, trust and humility — the principles every volunteer, trustee and partner upholds.
Dignity First
We do not photograph recipients or their homes. A person's hardship is never the price of receiving help.
Give Quietly
We speak of 'we' and 'the team.' No individual owns the good achieved — we remember our shortcomings and forget our achievements.
Local Partnership
We enter communities as guests and partners, not rescuers — listening to those on the ground and strengthening existing good work.
Stewardship
Funds entrusted to us are handled responsibly — accountable to donors while protecting the privacy and dignity of recipients.
The People Behind Waarif
Waarif Welfare is a collective effort. Our core team includes:
- Sayyid Mohammed al-Kaaf
- Dr Habib Shroufi
- Dr Zafran Suleman
- Asif Khan
- Dr Fozia Hussain
- Hafsa Hussain
Alongside the core team is a much wider family of volunteers, healthcare professionals, local partners, supporters and donors in the UK, Yemen and elsewhere. Each person contributes something different. Some contributions are visible. Many are not. We believe that is how service should be.
A Dignified Approach to Charity
The people we serve are not material for our publicity. Someone's hardship should not have to be displayed in order for others to be moved to help. We believe it is possible to be accountable to our donors without exposing the vulnerability of those we serve. We document the work, not the vulnerability of the people receiving it.
- No photos of beneficiaries, faces or homes
- Projects documented, not individuals
- Stories never used to expose or embarrass
- Accountability without exposure
Our Ethos
"Protect their dignity. Conceal their hardship. Give quietly. Serve together. Forget what you gave. Remember only the privilege of having been allowed to serve."
Ready to Make a Difference?
Join us in serving the people of Hadramaut, Yemen — quietly, and with dignity.
