Our youngsters must look beyond privileges at home: Sheikha Mayassa

AILYN AGONIA

DOHA ROTA believes our youth must look beyond the privileges available at home if they are to enhance our country’s reputation and its position in the world, said HE Sheikha al Mayassa bint Hamad al Thani.

The Chairperson of Reach Out to Asia (Rota) personally felicitated the all-female group of students who formed the organisation’s fourth volunteer trip to the South East Asian country undertaken recently.

Monday’s reflection event was held at the Museum of Islamic Art.

Addressing the students and teachers of four schools who joined in Rota’s mission, Sheikha Mayassa underlined the significance of such activities in creating a culture of volunteerism in the country.

She said, “Through trips to Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia as well as Cambodia, Rota has created a movement of volunteers and responsible global citizens within Qatar who make a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of communities across Asia.” The volunteers are students of Al Bayan Educational Complex Secondary School, Al Sailiyah Secondary Independent School for Girls, Qatar Independent Secondary School for Girls and Amna Bint Wahab Independent Secondary School. The event was organised in collaboration with Rota’s Cambodian partner the Monithapana Foundation and under the sponsorship of Vodafone- Qatar.

About 150 students of Cambodia’s Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen General and Technical High School, formerly named Vihear Suork Schools, benefited from the volunteer trip. The volunteers conducted workshops at the new Rota -funded and supported institution.

In addition, they also distributed food items to 200 local families and learning materials and books to Phnom Penh Dubai Islamic School.

At the reflection event, the students recalled their experiences during the outreach programmes and memorable encounters with Cambodian youths. They described the event as a life-changing experience for most of them.

“Visiting Cambodia has changed me. I have come back to Doha knowing I need to do something. I must let people know about the important work Rota is doing to create a better future for thousands of Asian children and how they can get involved in this work,” said Sara Ibrahim al Housani.

Another volunteer Sheikha Shafeea al Marri narrated how she made friends during the trip and has remained in touch with them until now.

“Even though earlier trips were very successful, this year was especially rewarding because we were able to send our second all-female group of Independent School student volunteers to see Rota’s educational and community development work for themselves, as well as experience the reality of life for young people in Cambodia,” Rota Director Essa al Mannai said on the occasion.

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