By Isabel Ovalle
A group of fifth grade students from the American School of Doha (ASD) have written and illustrated a book titled ‘Compassion’. The project is the result of an after school activity of one year and is directly related to one of the four values of the school: compassion.
The book was written by four students (from the US, Australia and Korea), with the contribution of another four, and the collaboration of two teachers. It tells the story of an American girl who moves to Doha and becomes friends with a Qatari girl, learning in the process that they are more alike than they think.
The book will be published with the help of the ASD Global Citizenship Fund, which will cover these expenses in order for the earnings of the book’s sales to go to a charitable foundation. The authors of ‘Compassion’ decided to grant the earnings of their work to a cause that serves in terms of education and health. To this end, they chose Alfaisal Without Borders Charitable Foundation.
The school is working with the publishing house to print 1,000 copies and hopes the book to be in bookstores by mid November. It has 40 pages, and it will be published both in Arabic and English.
The director of ASD, Deborah Welch, told the The Peninsula that the school plans to make a series, covering the other three values of the school: respect, honesty and responsibility. In this context, Welch said that another group of students is already working on the next issue. She added that this “beautiful” project is consistent with the schools mission statement, “to commit to the intellectual and personal development of our students, inspiring and empowering them to become positive, active global citizens”.
Among the school’s strategies is also to develop a stronger relationship with the Qatari community and expand their involvement with Qatar’s educational aspirations. With this aim, ASD has put together Astrolabe, a student leadership programme for Qatari students.
Both Qatari High School juniors and seniors can participate in this program that comprises leadership, service and career components. Astrolabe is designed for Qatari students because “they are in a special place and they have the responsibility and obligation to give to their countries. We believe that these students will be the future leaders of Qatar”. After concluding the program, that started last year, students can participate in internships.
The Peninsula
