QF lends a helping hand to Doha

A rewarding day of hands-on community service was held on Saturday as part of the annual ‘Make A Difference Day’ (MADD). The internationally celebrated event encourages people to take part in a “national day of doing good,” promoting the spirit of volunteering in local communities. Approximately 60 students, faculty and staff members from Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) chose to take part and signed up to support the work of local organizations. 

This year’s beneficiaries were the Qatar Animal Welfare Society (QAWS) and the Sri Lankan School, also known as Stafford International. 

Having suffered a devastating fire in late 2009, QAWS has recently been completely rebuilt, thanks in large part to public donations. Now, its air-conditioned facilities are better than ever, and house hundreds of rescued animals. On Saturday, MADD participants walked dogs and cleaned out kennels and play areas.   

According to Janet Berry, Chairperson of QAWS, “On their arrival, we greeted a group of enthusiastic, willing and able volunteers, indicating that this was to be a productive - yet fun - morning. Both humans and animals were delighted to take part, once again, in the QF ‘Make A Difference Day’ program.”

The feel-good factor extended to the Sri Lankan School. Established in 2001, it has grown tremendously since beginning life as a small nursery, and now educates almost 600 pupils between the ages of one and 13. On Saturday, around 25 QF volunteers helped out by tending the garden, and brightened up the building’s exterior walls with a fresh coat of paint.

Volunteer Emelina Soares, a student at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, felt that she had benefited hugely from taking part in the day of good deeds. She said, “It is a great learning experience, because now we students understand and value the experiences, skills and the education that Qatar Foundation provides us with.” 

With the introduction of easy-to-access volunteering projects, QF continues to support MADD in promoting community development.  

“It is wonderful to see students get involved in volunteering and become more aware of social issues in our communities.  Embedding the concept of giving back to society is very much a part of what we are trying to instill in our students here at Qatar Foundation,” said Hissa Al-Mohannadi, Campus Life Coordinator at QF. 

The event’s sponsors and organizers agreed: “This is a great chance for the students to get hands-on experience,” said Ameena Hussain, Assistant Director of Campus Life, Division of the Office of Faculty and Student Services in QF’s Education Division.  “We hope that such exposure to service learning opportunities will encourage more students to be more involved with, and give back to, the community.”

Ending this year’s MADD activities with a period of reflection, many of the helpers pledged to continue engaging with their local communities in the years ahead.