Nour Al-Ahmadi lost her parents at a very young age. From being a child who required love, protection, and support, she suddenly became the only one supporting herself and her family, up until she completed her education and established a voluntary group entitled Fann Nour (Nour’s Art), which focuses on arts.
Although her story of becoming an artist has been a successful one, her journey has been marked by pain, loss, hope, and determination. As a young girl, Al-Ahmadi did not think a day would come where she would lose her parents and become responsible for her future. However, through perseverance and faith, she has managed to succeed and achieve her goals.
Al-Ahmadi began working as an unpaid receptionist in order to acquire the skills and knowledge she would need to qualify for a job that she could use to support herself and her family. She then went on to complete her secondary education and, after that, decided she wanted to continue her studies abroad. However, the absence of a guardian meant she could not join the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Overseas Scholarship Program.
Determined to achieve her dream, she decided to fund her travel and study by herself. Eventually she returned home with a certificate in Art Therapy, which led to her appointment for Humanitarian Services in Sultan City, and to her establishing a voluntary group that spreads the idea and benefits of art therapy. Today, Al-Ahmadi is known as the first Saudi Arabian to utilize this form of treatment in the Kingdom.
With regards to her first job, Al-Ahmadi asserts that unpaid work, particularly in the beginning of one’s career, is of value as it provides an opportunity to gain experience, knowledge, and useful skills. She also acknowledges that her journey has not been easy, explaining that she faced difficulties in persuading people about the need and importance of arts until she found a good manager and a nurturing space.
This gave her the chance to innovate, eventually allowing her to reap the fruits of her convictions, efforts, education, and ideals. Today, from an idea that was disliked by many, arts therapy has now become much more accepted, with many seeking the benefits of its exercises and sessions that have contributed to the treatment of more than 400,000 cases to date.
