Students, universities and volunteers collaborate for community projects
800 volunteers participate in local and international activities
ROTA Gala Dinner sponsors join together to support community programs
Doha, Qatar: The success and growth of Reach Out To Asia's (ROTA) community development and volunteer programs are making a real difference to communities and individuals right here in Qatar, the Doha-based education and humanitarian charity has revealed.
Thanks to the active involvement and support of Qatar's visionary leadership, ROTA is empowering Qatari youth to realize their potential by focusing their thoughts and efforts for the benefit of all humankind.
Inspired by H. H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani The Heir Apparent's call for strong and active organizations to develop a just and caring Qatari society, ROTA's community development strategy supports the establishment of a secure and stable society operating on the principles of justice and equality.
A notable highlight of ROTA's domestic youth development program is undoubtedly the annual EMPOWER national youth conference, Qatar's first ever youth-led national forum. Launched in May 2009, this three-day conference creates a platform to equip young people for leadership, service learning and the capacity to address local and global issues.
The 3rd EMPOWER 2011 inspired over 400 youth between the ages 14-24 through a challenging program of keynote speeches from world-class speakers, creative workshops by leading experts, exhibitions, artistic expressions, and unrivalled networking opportunities to enable Qatar's future leaders to develop their skills.
ROTA's Youth Advisory Board engages 14 young and active members of the ROTA Youth Network in an advisory and ambassadorial capacity. They are trained and mentored to support ROTA in defining and advocating innovative solutions to education and youth development challenges using sports, environment and the Arabic language as educational tools.
The ROTA Adult English Literacy Program initiative helps low income migrant workers in Qatar increase their life opportunities by improving their English language ability. The program trains volunteers, mainly students, to become Literacy Trainers, who deliver a 16-week English Literacy course using ROTA's custom-designed curriculum.
During 2011 the program engaged 60 student trainers and other volunteers in delivering the course to 150 workers in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University - Qatar, Georgetown University - Qatar, and Texas A&M University Qatar.
"The support provided by ROTA Gala Dinner sponsors is vital in maintaining existing programs and launching new projects in Qatar and across Asia," stated ROTA Director Essa Al Mannai. "We thank Gold Sponsor Msheireb Properties, Silver Sponsor Qatar Petroleum and Bronze Sponsor Qatar Vinyl Company Ltd for their generous contributions which are essential for ROTA to reach its goal of ensuring a quality education for all."
"Qatar needs its young people to gain the skills necessary so they can take the lead in community work, ROTA is helping to develop Qatar's human capital to enable our country's socioeconomic progress and social harmony." Added Mr. Al Mannai
ROTA is an active member of the Global Citizen Corps, an international program to inspire and equip a network of young leaders to take informed actions that build and secure productive and just communities throughout the world.
Qatar joins the United Kingdom, United States, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and a host of other nations as part of a network where participants are encouraged to 'talk globally, act locally' as they develop personal leadership skills and youth-driven community actions.
The International Education and Resource Network (iEARN) is a non-profit organization that connects schools and youth organizations worldwide via a virtual network designed to empower young people, encourage inter-school collaboration, and debate world issues.
iEARN-Qatar began as a pilot program in 2008, and has grown to encompass more than 70 schools across the country. ROTA supports iEARN in Qatar by offering free workshops to over 300 teachers and providing a platform for iEARN teachers and students to showcase their projects.
ROTA's Beirut19 project created an opportunity for young Qatari writers to participate in a competition involving Arab youth from 11 countries. Inspired by the original Beirut39 contest, the competition attracted 70 students from 18 schools and universities who submitted writings in Arabic or English on two themes: 'Power and Identity in the 21st Century' and 'Arab Culture in a Globalized World'. ROTA then sponsored the top four writers to attend the Beirut39 festival in Lebanon.
"ROTA believes its education programs are vital to create a thriving society. An educated society is a breeding ground for peace, justice and understanding, innovation and advancement, and self-sustaining growth. It's important to educate our children to enable them to become responsible citizens of society. Volunteering provides the opportunity to give back to the community, while using your skills to help others. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds now play a vital role at ROTA and are involved with a variety of interesting and rewarding projects." says Mr. Mohamed Abdulla Saleh Community Development Manager at ROTA.
ROTA's Community Development Department Grows from Strength to Strength
One of ROTA's outstanding success stories since its foundation in 2005 is undoubtedly its Community Development Department. Having grown from humble beginnings, the Community Department now boasts 800 active volunteer members and implements initiatives to improve the general well being of local communities, making a positive impact on the lives of the less fortunate across Asia.
By organizing a proactive and wide ranging program of service learning projects including international volunteer trips, a local community volunteering program, literacy programs and Ramadan campaigns, ROTA volunteers continue to make a positive difference in the lives of many and help strengthen ROTA's foundations in Qatari society.
In conjunction with other international service day initiatives, the annual Make A Difference Day brings Education City students, faculty, and staff together to serve throughout the Doha community.
Organized by the Education City Service Committee of chaired by ROTA, in recent years volunteers completed a number of impressive community activities including reviving the garden at Hamad Hospital's Psychiatry department, planting trees in public gardens, running creative workshops at Dhreima Orphanage, cleaning up Al-Khor and Al-Wakra beaches and helping out at the Qatar Animal Welfare Society.
ROTA's annual Ramadan Project offers volunteers and supporters a unique opportunity to participate in an exciting volunteer-driven community campaign during the Holy Month. Previous campaigns have donated food supplies to families in need, prepared and distributed hot meals, visited hospital patients and elderly residents, donated electrical household appliances and raised funds for projects in ROTA focus countries.
News, photos and information about ROTA community and volunteer programs can be found on the ROTA (www.reachouttoasia.org) website.
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© Press Release 2011
