Abdul Basit Khawaja, Missionary, Ecuador
On 6 September 2025, in collaboration with the Ecuadorian Red Cross, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ecuador hosted a blood drive at the mission house in Quito for the very first time.
The primary objective of this event was to address the need for blood in the country and to promote the value of blood donation as a service to humanity.
Red Cross representatives noted that during the summer holidays, when many people travel abroad, the demand for blood remains high while the number of available donors significantly declines.
On 22 August 2025, a team from the Red Cross visited the mission house to assess the property to see the feasibility of hosting the blood drive. The blood drive was scheduled to take place on 6 September.
Flyers were distributed to nearby households, posted throughout the neighbourhood and placed in local businesses and schools to spread the message effectively.
On the day of the event, stations were arranged for preliminary health screenings, medical history assessments and three designated donation beds. Each participant typically spent around 30 minutes completing the entire donation process.
Members of the Jamaat participated wholeheartedly in this noble act, while volunteers assisted in welcoming guests and distributing refreshments following their donations.
In total, 40 individuals came to the mission house with the intention of donating, of whom 20 were ultimately able to give blood.