Fatima, or Tootie, Al-Sabah has a heart of gold, and a bubbly personality that’s quickly contagious. Anyone who meets this special lady can immediately tell is that she will leave you smiling with positive vibes to get you involved with one her greatest passions, volunteer work. She’s also quite the passionate photographer, inviting us to take a look at one of many personal photography projects, 365pics, which we will also be featuring in our upcoming issue. Simply wanting to be a useful person to her family and country, her greatest happiness comes in making a difference to society.

Tootie followed K’s Path (Kuwait Society for the Protection of Animals and Their Habitat) for about a year before getting involved and couldn’t be happier about it, “After 2 hours of cleaning the beaches on a Friday morning, I feel like my weekend has been set properly, seeing how these bags of trash I collected can give that mangrove tree a bit more space to breathe and stretch its leaves is all it takes to make me happier. Or seeing the eyes of a dog or cat when you play with them and give them a bit of attention just fills my heart with gratitude and joy.”

She expertly speaks about K’s Path work, and attributes her happiness to the organization’s professionalism, adding that K’s Path is very diligent about finding the perfect fit for animals at the shelter and their prospective new families. K’s Path has devised many programs focused on animal rescue, including a marine conservation program. “Did you know that we have mangrove trees in Kuwait? Everyone is usually shocked when I tell him or her that. On the coast of Doha live mudskippers, very funny looking amphibians, yet their vital habitats are literally covered in Styrofoam, plastic and all sorts of garbage.”

Even though we all like to think we do our due diligence when we make our regular donations to our favorite charities, Tootie’s work with K’s Path invites us to do much more to get actively involved.

How would your mother describe you in one word?

Hardworking.

How would you describe your mother in one word?

Inspirational.

What is the most insane question you’ve ever been asked?

“Alo? Is Mr Ahmad there?” (Mr Ahmad if you are out there, please give people your number not mine, thank you)

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

Started taking photos. This ignited a creative spark in me. I couldn’t draw if my life depended on it, but photography is a whole other world of creativity that I can understand! This led to a 365 pics project, a picture a day for a year that I started in the summer of 2011.

What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?

Delightful.

Where would you like to live? What is your dream retirement location?

Here in my beautiful Kuwait! I honestly can’t see myself living anywhere else!

What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?

Knowledge is Power.

What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in?

Dolphin, free spirited and happy.

What do you miss about your childhood?

Ladybirds, we used to have so many in Kuwait when I was younger, they made me so happy!  Now I barely see any!

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

I never loved my name, but I could never see myself as anything else, other than 2t my nickname. However, I started appreciating my name more after an acquaintance pointed out that it means Liberator, not ‘weaning’, as it is used as a verb to mean being liberated from that stage of life, hence its use in the whole breastfeeding and weaning scenario.

How would you describe your handshake in one word?

Handshake. I don’t understand the importance of allocating meaning to a handshake.

What is the toughest part of your character?

My optimism. I always choose to see the brighter side.

Who is your favorite historical figure?

No one comes to mind, I prefer focusing on what people do rather than who they are.

What in the world do you least desire?

Pessimism.

What do you think is lacking in the world, which if there was more of, would make the world a better place?

Hope and gratitude.

Why do you think most girls/guys like you?

I could never figure that one out… but then again I can’t figure out why I like some people and not others. I think it’s all in the vibes.

Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…”

Love. Whether it’s loving a person, situation, animal or even a time of day. Happiness comes to people who are open to it and who embrace the little joys that life gives us.

Get in touch with Tootie by following her on Instagram, @fatima2t.