Student volunteers from the College of the North Atlantic Qatar (CNA-Q), during a school renovation project in the western Jendouba Province of Tunisia.
DOHA: Thirty student volunteers from the College of the North Atlantic Qatar (CNA-Q) have completed a school renovation project in the western Jendouba Province of Tunisia.
Organised by Reach Out To Asia (Rota) Qatar’s and sponsored by Vodafone Qatar, the trip was a part of an agreement signed between Rota and the CNAQ in April 2011, aimed at promoting mutual, educational development and service cooperation in order to address mutual needs on a reciprocal basis of respect, independence and equal status of each party.
“This was a particularly impressive group of student volunteers who demonstrated an incredibly positive attitude to the physical work involved in this trip in sometimes challenging conditions,” said Rota Volunteer Program Manager, George Tavola.
In February 2011, Rota launched an initiative called Reach Out to Arabia to provide assistance to Arabic countries in the North African region. For this trip, Rota worked with Tunisia Charity, a local organization that supports the abilities of the most vulnerable groups in society and has focused on emergency relief, education, water and sanitation, health and nutrition and orphan sponsorship.
“With every group of volunteers that participates in Vodafone Qatar’s international volunteering trips with Reach Out To Asia, we see how much impact the experience has had on the way they view the world around them and the challenges people face in areas of extreme poverty or conflict. We are proud to be contributing to shaping a future generation that’s compassionate, selfless and proactive about helping others,” said Head of Corporate Responsibility at Vodafone Qatar, Dana Haidan.
Rota National Programs Director, Mohamed Abdulla Saleh said: ““Rota thanks the many volunteers, sponsors who continue to give their time, talent and skills, often in difficult circumstances, to promote education and development in Qatar and abroad. They are an inspiration to us all.”
CNA-Q volunteer Aseel Halawani said, “This was my first volunteer experience with Rota and I already look forward to more volunteer activities. The best part was getting to know the people and the culture of Tunisia and to work in the school renovation project. As much as we hope to have made an impact, they have certainly touched our lives and our hearts.”
The Rota Volunteer Program will be coordinating several other trips this year, exposing locally based volunteers to Rota projects abroad, understanding the needs of underprivileged communities in other countries and fostering a spirit of volunteerism and community service across the society in Qatar.The Peninsula
