Jassim Al Musallam encourages his peers to turn everyday activities at home into positive initiatives that foster cooperation and responsibility
Doha, Qatar: At a time when students are spending most of their time at home in compliance with state guidelines, student-led initiatives have emerged that seek to use this time in positive and meaningful ways.
A fourth-grade student at Qatar Academy Msheireb (QAM), part of Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education, Jassim Al Musallam has launched an initiative titled “My Initiative at Home,” encouraging students to carry out simple initiatives within their homes that promote a sense of social responsibility.
The idea for the initiative stemmed from Jassim’s desire to continue engaging in charitable acts despite the circumstances that have limited activities outside the home. He therefore sought a way for himself and his peers to keep doing good from within their homes. The initiative encourages students to undertake simple daily actions, such as helping their parents, organising the house, planting a plant, reading a story, preparing a simple dish, or bringing joy to family members.
Jassim said: “Because we stayed at home in line with the government’s instructions, I started thinking that doing good is not tied to a specific place, and that we can make a difference anytime and from anywhere, even from our homes. That’s how the idea for the initiative came about for each person to start a simple initiative from their home.”
Through this initiative, Jassim aims to encourage his peers to make good use of their time and engage in meaningful activities. “My goal to show that doing good does not stop even in difficult circumstances,” he said.
“I feel happy because the idea did not remain with me alone but spread among my classmates. From this experience, I learned that a small idea can create a big impact, and that a person can help spread goodness even from their own home.”
The initiative has been strongly supported by Jassim’s family, who helped him refine and organise the idea. Commenting on this, his mother, Nayla Al Musallam, said: “While we were spending more time at home, my son began thinking about ways he could continue doing good from within the house. I believe the spirit of initiative should be nurtured in children from an early age. We wanted him to understand that acts of kindness can begin right at home.”
She added that seeing her child lead a positive initiative at such a young age is a source of pride for her and the family, she said: “This makes me very happy and proud, because we aim to raise our children to be proactive and beneficial members of their community, and to understand that good deeds are not tied to age.
“We are keen to instill a love of doing good in them, so it makes me happy to see him thinking about how he can help those around him.”
Al Musallam also emphasised the important role families play in encouraging children to take positive initiatives, adding: “By giving them confidence, encouraging their ideas, and connecting them with values that promote giving and serving others.
When a child grows up with this mindset, they will carry the spirit of initiative with them and strive to do good at all times and in all places.”
Mandatory Subjects Coordinator at QAM, Amal Khamis Al Hafy said: “At the academy, we are committed to providing a stimulating learning environment that encourages students to think creatively and take responsibility, while empowering them to transform their ideas into initiatives that create a positive impact.”
