July & August came be the quietest time in Kuwait and if you are staying here with the kiddos, then you might need a bit of a break. There are lots of summer camps happening during this period and we will be periodically updating this list to make sure and include them all.

Academy of Ballet 
Dates: Summer 
Ages: 3-15 years, boys and girls  
Time: TBA 
Activities: Ballet, zumba, sports and more 
Location: Qadisiya, Block 7 
Contact: 5111-1628 / 9497-5414 Instagram @ballet_kbi 
 
Algebraic Summer Camp 
Dates: 16 July to 10 August 
Ages: 5-15 years old 
Time: 8am-Noon 
Activities: chess coaching, robotics, coding, rubik's cube  
Location: Mangaf and Salmiya (transportation available) 
Fee: KD 95 
Contact: 6005-2280 
 
Al Bayan Bilingual School Summer Camp 
Dates: June 17 to July 20 (Saturday to Thursday) 
Time: 11am – 3pm 
Ages: 3 to 6 years old 
Activities: Sports, ceramics, painting, storytelling, field trips, Zumba, yoga, iPad games, board games, life skills, cooking.  
Location: Hawally campus 
Fees: KD 200 for 12 days or KD 320 for 24 days 
Contact: www.bbs.edu.kw to register 
 
Al Bayan Bilingual School Summer Camp 
Dates: June 17 to July 20 (Saturday to Thursday) 
Time: 11am – 3pm 
Ages: 7 to 12 years old 
Activities: Arts & crafts, sports, life skills, etiquette and nutrition, etc.   
Location: Hawally campus 
Fees: KD 150 for 12 days or KD 225 for 24 days 
Contact: www.bbs.edu.kw to register 
 
Blank Summer Camp 
Dates: 2-27 July  
Time: 10am to 2pm 
Ages: 5 to 12 years old 
Location: Infunity, 360 mall 
Contact: 5552-5265 
 
Bright Minds Summer Camp 
Dates: June 5 to August 31  
Time: 8:30am to 12:30pm 
Ages: 2.5 years to 6 years old 
Activities: Zoophonics, arts & crafts, gym, music, etc.  
Fee: KD 55 per week; KD 200 for the month 
Contact: 5058-8833 or www.brightmindskuwait.com 
 
Bright Minds Karate Summer Camp 
Dates: June 5 to Aug 27 
Ages: 3-6 years old 
Time: 12:30 to 1:30pm 
Contact: 5058-8833 or www.brightmindskuwait.com 
 
British Academies Summer Camp 
Dates: July 2 to July 20 (Sunday – Thursday) 
Time: 10am-2pm 
Ages: Boys & girls 3 to 13 years old 
Activities: Swimming, gymnastics, karate, Zumba, hip hop, arts & crafts, table tennis, talent show, magic show 
Contact: 5096-2809 or 9945-8013 or 1830456 ext/ 2177 / 2178 
 
British Academy of Sport Summer Swim Camp 
Dates: June 11 to July 20 (Sundays, Tuesdays & Thursdays) 
Times: 3-3:40pm; 3:40-4:20pm and 4:20-5pm 
Ages: Boys and girls 3 to 12 years old 
Location: Salwa, Blk 1, Street 1, BSK campus 
Contact: 2562-3604 ext. 2178 / 2177 or 9945-8013 
 
Busy Bodies Summer Camp  
Dates: June 11 to July 27 
Ages: 2 to 7 years old 
Time: 8am-12pm & 9am-1pm (Ramadan) 
Activities: arts & crafts, cooking, sports, music & movement, messy play, story time, water play and more.  
Location: Jabriya, Block 8, Street 109 
Contact: 2531-1513 or 9771-7338 
 
Checkbom Tennis Summer Classes 
Dates: Open 
Ages: 3+ (different classes for different ages) 
Activities: Private or group lessons for kids and adults in the afternoons 
Location: Sahara Resort 
Contact: 9922-0280 
 
Cocoon Summer Kids Camp 
Dates: July 
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm / 5 days a week 
Ages: 4-6 years, 7-9 years & 10-12 years 
Activities: Zumba, yoga, aerobics, ballet, movies, trips, stories, healthy nutrition awareness, arts & crafts and more.  
Location: Cocoon Wellness Center, Sharq, Jaber AlMubarak St, Nour Tower, 5th Floor 
Contact: 2245-3166 
 
Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyyah Summer Camp 
Dates: 9-13 July & 16-20 July 
Ages: 6-12 years old 
Activities: arts & crafts, chess, first aid class, museum visits, science, writing project and yoga 
Email: Education@darmuseum.org.kw to register 
 
Doodle Camp 
Dates: July 2-27 and August 6-24 
Ages: 1.8 years to 11 years old 
Location: Al Salam, Blk 7, St 705, Bldg 507 
Activities: arts & crafts, storytelling, swimming, reading, cooking, sports, ballet, karate, math fun, cookie & cupcake decoration and more.  
Fees: KD 120 for two weeks; KD 220 for four weeks (second phase); KD 180 for three weeks (third phase) 
Contact: 9972-9771 or Instagram: @doodle.camp 

Engineering for Kids - Coding & Minecraft Academy
Dates: July 8-13 & July 15-20
Ages: 3-14 years
Time: 11am-2pm
Fee: KD 105 per week
Location: DAI Yarmouk Cultural Center, Yarmouk Block 3, St 3
Contact: 9924-4404 or 2205-3220
 
French Summer Camp 
Dates: 2-12 July; 16-26 July, 30 July-9 August & 13-23 August 
Time: 10:30am – 1pm (Sunday-Wednesday) 
Activities: Arts, songs, reading, videos, drama, games  
Fees: KD 160 
Location: Jabriya 
Contact: 2531-9734/35 
 
Global English Nursery Summer Camp 
Dates: July 2 to August 24 
Ages: 
Activities: Dance & music, keyboard practice, brain activities, communication skills 
Location: Global English Nursery, Abu Al Hassaniya, Block 11, Street 74, House #24 
Contact: 9874-1950 / 9874-1951 
 
Happy Chappies Summer Camp 
Dates: June 11 to Aug 3 (weekly attendance available) 
Ages: 15 months to 5 years 
Location: Happy Chappies, Fintas 
Fees: KD 60 per week (discounts for monthly, six week enrollment) 
Contact: 6700-4777  or visit: http://www.happy-chappies.com/ 
 
Kidz Summer Camp Fiesta  
Dates: May 28 to Aug 3 
Ages: Nursery age 
Times: 9:30am-1pm & 2:30pm-5:45pm (early dropoff available) 
Fees: KD 13 daily, KD 65 weekly, KD 125 two weeks, etc. 
Location: Kaifan, Block 2, Street 25, House 1 
Activities: Arts & crafts, Holy Quran, games, little chefs, spa, trips, water play, zumba, movies, and more.  
Contact: 2482-9043 / 9986-4443 
 
Kuwait Water Sports Summer Camp 
Dates: June 26-29 and July 3-6 
Ages: 7+ 
Time: 4 hours per day 
Activities: sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding 
Location: Movenpick, Al-Bidaa 
Fees: KD 140 
Contact: 6559-8158 
 
Little Bee's Books Summer Fun 
Dates: July 2-July 27 (four weeks, Sun-Thur) 
Time: 4-7pm 
Ages: 3.5-6 years old 
Activities: Reading, sensory play, puppet shows, art work, experiments, etc.  
Fees: KD 40 per week, per child 
Location, Salmiya, Bahrain Street 
Contact: 5589-5166 
 
Little Gym Summer Camp 
Dates: May 28 through September 7 
Flexible – one day, one week or all weeks. 
Ages: 1 to 12 years old 
Activities: gym, educational, swimming 
 
Little Loyacers 
Dates: 2-27 July 
Ages: 5-12 years old 
Time: 5-8pm 
Fee: KD 80 
Activities: Volunteering, sports, educational and entertainment fun 
Contact: Mona: +965 9667-4762; Yusra: +965 9916-6173 or Email: m.tarek@loyac.org 

Mini Caravan Intro to Coding
Dates: July 2-17
Time: 10am-1pm
Ages: 5-7 years old
Location: Promenade Cultural Center
Fee: KD 168
Contact: https://www.catchcaravan.com/registration.html
 
Music world Q8 Summer Music Classes 
Dates: Open 
Ages: Open 
Activities: Music classes in piano, guitar, violin, flute, oud and cello 
Contact: 6677-0903 or 5088-8144 
 
My Gym Summer Camp 
Dates: June 3 to August 31 
Time: 10am-1pm & 4pm-7pm (Ramadan camp 10am-1pm & 2:30pm-5:30pm) 
Ages: 4-10 years old 
Activities: Hip hop dance, arts & crafts, space flight, sports, gymnastics 
Location: Discovery mall, Kuwait City 
Contact: Tele: 9911-4373 
 
Panorama Kids Summer Camp 
Ages: 2-10 years old 
Time: 8am-3pm 
Activities: Ballet, drawing, outdoor time, French, karate, little chefs, Holy Quran, Swimming 
Location: Salmiya, Block 4, Motawaa Tower, Hamad Al-Mubarak Street, Bldg #6, Floor #1 
Contact: 9664-6809 
 
Partake Summer Camp 
Dates: July 2 – 27 
Location: Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel. 
Time: 11am – 4pm 
Age Group: 3 to 15 years old divided into groups according to their ages. 
Activities: Art & crafts, sports, water sports, social activities, fields trips, and more. 
Contact: Mobile: 6582-7157 or Email: partake-kw@hotmail.com 
 
Power Academy Club – Karate Summer Camp 
Dates: Open 
Ages: 3-12 years old, boys & girls 
Contact: 9605-5339 
 
Revival of Islamic Heritage / Righteous Sprouts Summer Program 
Dates: July 9 – August 20 
Ages: 5-11 (for girls only) 
Time: 5-7:30pm 
Activities: Quran memorization, Aqeedah, manners and seerah, activities, strengthen Islamic identity 
Fees: Free 
Location: Women's committee in Qortuba, behind coop, block 5. 
Contact: 9774-3327 / 2536-2684 
 
Royal Motessori Nursery Summer Camp 
Location: Surra, Block 2, Abi bin Abi Taleb Street 
Activities: Ballet, Arabic & English, field trips, little chefs, exercise and more 
Contact: 6667-3420 / 2531-3454 
Sweet Angels Summer Camp 
Dates: Open 
Ages: 3 to 10 years old, boys and girls 
Activities: Swimming, gymnastics/ballet, football, karate, trips, English & Arabic, Holy Quran 
Fees: KD 130 monthly 
Whatsapp 5025-2066 or 9879-6080 
 
Scientific Center Kuwait Summer Camp
Dates: 16 July to 24 August
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Ages: 5-12 years old
Fee: KD 40 per week
Contact: Scientific Center, Salmiya, 1848-888

Toddlers Town Summer Camp
Dates: Until August 17
Time: 8am-1pm
Location: Adailiya
Contact: 2256-0271 or 2256-0790

Twinkle Star Summer school 
Dates: June 18 to July 13 
Time: 9am-1pm (Ramadan) and 8:30am-1pm (after Eid) 
Ages: 2 to 6 years 
Activities: Arts & crafts, swimming, sand & water play, sensory play, baking, dance and more. 
Location: Egaila block 1, street 125, house 81 
Contact: Mobile 9780-1611  

Check out our updated list of fun Mommy & Me activities, workshops, playgroups and more.

Also subscribe to our e-newsletter for regular updates for everything moms in Kuwait need to know.

Enjoy the cooler weather with a walk in the park, take the kids for a bike ride or even visit a local farm.

FRIDAY, Jan 6
1. Hatha yoga with Rosie at 9am at Alshaheedpark. Please bring your own mat, towel & bottle of water. Men & Women, Celebration Lounge. Free

2. Kite flying with Alfarsi kites in Bneider from 1pm to 5pm. Exit Road 258. A great way to spend a few hours outdoors with the kiddos.

SATURDAY, Jan 7
3. Blind International Day 2km walkathon at 9am at Kuwait University stadium in Shuwaikh. Organized by KISR.

4. Yoga at 9am in Alshaheed Park Visitor’s Center with “Yoga with the 3” Women only. Free

5. Storytime with DAI at the Amricani Cultural Center at 3:30pm. Reading ‘The Curious Garden’. No registration required.

6. Gardening at #thesecretgardenproject. Baghdad Street, Salmiya from 3-5pm.

7. Open Day at Sadeer farms in Al-Abdaly. For farm visits and directions, call 9444-4911 or email sadeerfarms@gmail.com

8. Qout Market at Alshaheedpark from 9am-5pm. Circle of Peace.
 
#KuwaitMomsGuide #KuwaitMoms #KuwaitKids #q8moms #q8kids #KuwaitEvents #weekendq8 #Kuwait

 Al We are honored to announce the launch of our fourth annual print edition of the Kuwait Moms Guide.

Filled with everything moms in Kuwait need to know including helpful directory of services, interviews, articles and loads of information the KMG 2016-2017 is a resource moms in Kuwait can use all year long.

Now available at the following locations around Kuwait:

Sniggles baby boutique - Mayar Complex, Industrial Shuwaikh & Hayat Medical Center, Hawally
Elevation Burger - all branches
Destination Maternity - all branches
Artspace Cafe - Salmiya
Reach Education - Salmiya
The Reading Room by The Yarn at AlShaheed Park
That Al Salasil Bookshop - Industrial Shuwaikh
Fawzia Sultan International School - Hawally
Little Harvard Preschool - Mishref & Sadiq locations
Learning Steps Preschool - Sabah Al Salem & Egaila
Happy Chappies Nursery - Rumaithiya & Fintas
British Playhouse - Mangaf
British Orkids Nursery - Al Salaam
Bright Start Nursery - Fintas
Twinkle Star Nursery - Egaila
Bright Minds Learning Center - Sabah Al Salem
Reborn Kids Academy - Rawda, Zahra & Siddiq
Kids Inn - Nuzha
Kidz Nursery - Kaifan
Kuwait Dream Center - Khaldiya
Kuwait Montessori - Adailiya
Toddlers Town - Adailiya
Super Kids Nursery - Adailiya & Yarmouk
Young Ambassador Nursery - Salwa
Gulf Montessori - Salwa
Bright Little Buttons Nursery - Al Zahra
My Gym - Discovery Mall
Eye Level Learning Center - Discovery Mall
Mirror Mirror Salon - Jabriya
N-Style Salon - Bustan Complex, Salmiya
Fantasyland Salon for girls - Salmiya
Early Bird Cafe - Jabriya
Bloomingdales Nursery - Siddiq
Mom & Baby Lounge - 360 Mall
Applied Behavior Center - Burj Jassem

Pick up your free copy while supplies last. (We will be adding additional locations in coming days.

Stay tuned to Kuwait Moms Guide social media - on Instagram @KuwaitMomsGuide & Snapchat: Kuwait Moms Guide - for updates.)

There's lot of fun events and activities happening this weekend. Also, don't forget to pass by any Elevation Burger in Kuwait to pick up your free copy of the Kuwait Moms Guide.


FRIDAY, Nov 11
10-12 Nov – Nuqat at Amiricani Center from 10:30am-7pm. Registration required. Keynote & lectures & kids workshops are free including arts, gardening, storytime & reading & engineering. @nuqat

11 Nov - Weaving Stories exhibition & don't miss the Kids textile workshop at Al Shaheed park with Sadu House from 4-6pm. KD 10. #weavingstoriesq8

11 Nov - Hatha yoga with Rosie at 9am at Al Shaheed park. Please bring your own mat, towel & bottle of water. Men & Women, Celebration Lounge. Free

SATURDAY, Nov 12
12 Nov – Beach Clean Up with Embassy of Japan at Shuwaikh Beach from 10:30am-Noon. Meet at the parking on the seaside just before the Oil Ministry and the KNPC building. (The parking where the playground is located).

12 Nov – Gardening every Saturday at the Secret Garden in Salmiya, Baghdad Street, Lane 11 from 3-6pm. #thesecretgardenproject

12 Nov – Run Q8 5km / 10km fun run/walk at Marina Crescent. Register at http://www.runq8.org/ All proceeds will go to support the Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center with FSRI.

12 Nov – KTAA Annual Bazaar will be held at Sadu House from 10am to 6pm. Handmade textiles, crochet, weaving, quilts and jewelry as well as other artisanal decorative & homeware. There will be a raffle draw by Q8Quilts. Visit https://q8textilearts.wordpress.com/ for more info.

12 Nov – Al Nowair Yellow Car Parade and bazaar at Anjafa beach. Call 9800-2077 to join.

12 Nov – Essence Travels Farmers Trip to Sadeer Farm from 11:30-5:30pm. Practice farming, lunch, farm art workshop & veggie picking. Call 6688-3404 or 2220-7227 for more details and to register.

12 Nov - Yoga at 9am in Al Shaheed Park Visitor's Center with "Yoga with the 3" Women only. Free

12 Nov - Storytime with @dai_Kuwait at Amricani Cultural Center at 3:30pm. Free.

#KuwaitMomsGuide #KuwaitEvents #KuwaitMoms #Weekendq8 #KuwaitKids #q8moms #q8kids #Kuwait

We have updated our list of Kuwait Moms Guide's favorite parks & playgrounds in Kuwait. There are so many of these hidden gems, perfect for kids to get outdoors and have some fun and explore. 

KMG #59 has been sent to inboxes today.

In this issue find interesting articles, special offers, mom & baby coffee mornings, outdoor parks & playgrounds and lots more.

If you would like to receive a copy, sign up using the form below.

 










I was inspired by a list of 30 things that mean a lot to kids published in Parents Magazine. So I’ve adapted it to Kuwait and added a few ideas of my own. Hope you like it.
 

1. Family photos matter but kids want to be a part of the process. Print photos out, buy an album and let the kids decide the order, the arrangements and what, if any, memorabilia to include.
2. Include love notes, the occasional treat (no nuts please!) or small surprises in their lunchbox.
3. Take them for a picnic. Bring a blanket, basket of fruit, snacks and some water/tea and spend an hour or so. Let them choose the spot and lay everything out. Take a few photos then put your mobile away for the rest of the picnic.
4. Play with them. Don’t just watch them play but actually get on the floor or the table and sit and build a Lego monster alongside them.
5. Say yes to something they think you will say no to (like having cake for breakfast or sleeping in the living room on the weekend.) Not all the time but once in a while.
6. Video call their cousins, grandparents and friends.
7. Create a family motto (Ours is ‘Never give up’) and find ways to use it.
8. Spend quality Mommy & Me time with each child alone. Go for a walk, go shopping or get a mani/pedi. Children need individual attention and time.
9. Tell them you are proud of them – not only when they achieve good grades or doing something but just sometimes when you are sitting at breakfast.
10. Be a good role model and turn off the TV or put down your phone.
11. Play board & card games with them. Our current favorite is Querkle but Scrabble and Junior Scrabble, Pictionary, Uno, dominoes, chess and monopoly are all favorites. Let them keep score. (It’s good math practice and also helps them feel grown up and responsible.)
12. Let them stomp through rain / mud puddles. Since it doesn’t rain much in Kuwait, this is not often an option but I know my kids walk through every single puddle of water they can find. I just let them do it and have stopped worrying about them ‘ruining their shoes’. Let them run through the sprinklers in the park.
13. Children need pets. Pets help teach them responsibility and empathy. If you can get a dog or cat great but if not, a hamster, gerbil, turtle, fish etc.
14. Give your toddler a chance to fight his own battles in the sandbox or on the playground before you intervene.
15. Hold off with the barrage of how-was-your-day questions if your child comes home from school grumpy and tired.
16. Cultivate your own rituals and traditions: We have falafel, mushakil and hummus most Friday mornings, spend Friday nights watching movies and eating popcorn. During the cooler months, we spend weekend mornings at the park. Each child gets a ‘Yes’ Day at least once a year.
17. Always tuck your kids into bed and kiss them goodnight.
18. Ask your kid to teach you how to do something for a change. And once you get the hang of it, be sure to tell him what a good teacher she/he is.
19. Let your child dress up in dad’s old t-shirts or mom’s out of date dresses. Give them plenty of time to play.
20. Let your child overhear you saying something wonderful about him/her. 
21. Let them stay up all night on New Year’s Eve – even if they aren't old enough.
22. Go for a walk at night and look at the night sky.
23. Don't be in a hurry to tell your kid to let it go. He needs to vent too.
24. Have snuggle time. I try to always fit in at least one snuggle time per day.
25. Read together. Let them choose the stories and take turns reading a page at a time.
26. Tell them stories about when you were a child. What was your favorite clothes to wear or your best friend’s first name. Tell them about your first day at school or the first time you won a competition.
27. Remember their friends names and ask them about them.
28. When they are old enough, teach them how to drive.
29. Do something that surprises them. Don’t just buy them a toy but make them something they would like with your own hands. They will appreciate it more.
30. Hug them and tell them you love them every day.

 
(Thanks to Lana for sharing the original article).

Back to school can be a stressful time for parents and kids. Children are worried about their new teachers, which friends will be in the same classes and which ones won’t. There are a multitude of issues – uniforms, schedule, transport, bedtime, homework, after school activities, etc that need sorting. Here are a few tips and ideas to help make the transition for you and your children a bit easier.

1. Lay the groundwork. Help your kids get ready for back to school by involving them in the process. Give them part of the supplies shopping list and let them get excited about all the cool new stuff. I also give them an opportunity to buy something to share with classmates on the first day of school. For younger kids this can be stickers or cute erasers or some other small, fun items.
2. It’s also good to get the backpack and lunch box organized. Make sure they have a water bottle they can open easily (one with the lid attached is best) and that the backpack isn’t too heavy. You can write their name on the backpack but write on the inside or in a place that a teacher can find it but that can’t be seen when they are wearing it. (This is for safety to prevent strangers outside the school knowing your child’s name).
3. If possible, meet the teachers and tour the school beforehand. This is especially important for kindergarten and elementary students. It makes a huge difference if they have met the teacher before the first day and if the are familiar with the classroom and where they are likely to be sitting.
4. Walk them through their first day. My younger daughter started preK when she was 3. She was anxious and so I helped her by detailing the day with a general schedule (beginning of class, circle time or story time, play time, snack, coloring, recess, lunch, etc.). I would also recommend driving by the school so that the kids get a sense of where they will be going.
5. Set up a clear space for the kids to find their uniforms in the morning and to put their backpacks and etc when they return home. It’s also helpful if there is a designated space or folder for school communiques and folders or files set up in advance for the kids artwork and finished projects.
6. Another really important tip for younger kids (especially those starting school for the first time), tell them when you will pick them up in a way they will understand. My 3 year old had no idea what 1 o’clock meant so I told her I would pick her up after lunchtime.
7. Roll back bedtime gradually and start earlier. We have been rolling back bedtime since mid-August. From 9pm during the summer to 8:30pm and then the next week 8pm and by the time school starts, 7:30pm. A well rested child is much less likely to have a meltdown on the first day.
8. Expect crying – especially for younger kids. When I took my 3 year old on the first day, she did her best to hold back the tears. I knew it would be difficult and so I brought along a secret weapon. My daughter loves playing with my lipsticks and makeup so on her first day, I brought my favorite Mac lipstick. When I got ready to leave, I gave it to her and asked her to keep it safe for me. She was delighted to be allowed to have it and clung to that lipstick most of the day. It didn’t stop the tears completely but at least it served as a small distraction to help her through the separation anxiety. (and in case you’re wondering, no, I never saw it again…but the sacrifice was well worth it!). You don’t have to hand over a tube of your favorite lipstick though. Perhaps a laminated photo of the two of you or a special token bought just for the occasion.
9. Do something fun on the first day. Wake up a little earlier and take photos using fun back to school printables (there are literally thousands on Pinterest) or stop by and get them a muffin from a coffeeshop. Take a positive, happy attitude and that will help the kids also feel excited.

 
 

Faye Sultan is the first female Kuwaiti swimmer. She talks about hard work, discipline and chasing your dreams. - Photos courtesy Faye Sultan
 
Faye Sultan was the first Kuwaiti female swimmer to compete in the Olympics. She placed first in her heat at the summer games in Rio this year, with a time of 26.86 seconds to finish 54th out of 88 competitors.  Kuwait Moms Guide spoke with the young swimmer to learn more about what led up to her Olympic achievements.
 
Kuwait Moms Guide: Please tell us a bit about how you get involved in swimming?
Faye: My older brother was a competitive tennis player and I witnessed his dedication to his sport on a daily basis. He inspired me to pursue swimming competitively. I swam alone for a few years before joining Elite Swim team in Kuwait. I also trained with the National team before heading to London.

KMG: What other competitions have you swam in? 
Faye: I have competed in the Junior World Championships in 2011, and the World Championships in 2013 and 2015. I have also competed at the NESCAC championships and the NCAA Div. IV championships, both for 4 years in a row.

KMG: What led you to decide to try for the Olympics in Rio?
Faye: I've been training and competing internationally for the past 10 years. Before college, I trained in Kuwait on the Elite Swim Team. The past 4 years, however, I competed and trained with the Williams College Swimming team. During this time, I was coached by the Williams college coaching staff. 

KMG: Can you tell us a bit about what it takes to qualify for the Olympics and especially the obstacles you faced and how you overcame them? 
Faye: In college, I had swim practice every afternoon, and then on alternating days I would have a morning lift and swim. I would work out 2-3 times a day, on average, and I would compete every weekend.  There are a lot of ups and downs with any sport. For example, this season I was injured and  I had a disappointing college season. I just had to keep my head up and power through. I ended up swimming my fastest time to date at Rio.

KMG: You are among only a handful of elite female Olympians from the Gulf - how does being a woman impact your identity as an athlete? What is your opinion on women athletes in the region, their access to sports, their support among the public, from the govt, etc? 
Faye: It is a great honor to be able to represent your country on a platform as high as the Olympics, regardless of gender, but being able to do so while overcoming such obstacles makes it an even greater feat. There is a lot of talent in Kuwait and it needs to be cultivated. One way to do that is by having better facilities available to women. 

KMG: How did it feel to be the first female swimmer from Kuwait at the Olympics? 
Faye: It's an honor to be the first Kuwaiti female Olympic swimmer. My hope is that I will not be the last, and to see more women participating in the Olympics would be a great next step. 

KMG: You won your heat but did not qualify, how has that result affected you? Will you try for the Olympics in 2020? What are your next plans?
Faye: I swam a best time, so I couldn't have been happier. I have been swimming for so long that a small break is long overdue. As for Tokyo 2020, it's too soon to tell. 

KMG: What do you have to say to moms and kids - especially little girls - in Kuwait who might have Olympic dreams or are even keen athletes? 
Faye: Dream big, and work hard for yourself and for your country. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy!