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“ I had a whisper in my head the whole time [ telling me ] you need to be doing something with all of this skill .”
After beginning her college career at Middlesex University UAE campus , studying International Business , with a focus on Innovation Management , she worked on larger event projects outside of school . In her first year of college , in parallel to her fulltime bachelors degree , she earned a professional diploma in Event Management and Innovative Marketing . Since school , Qadeer worked on several community service projects and planned many events . From her time while being a student at university , she recalls the project with “ the government of Ras Al Khaimah ,” where artists from across the world could come together and share stories that connect with their communities .
Through her university studies , she was taught multi-layered skills and advocacy for projects on a large scale . Although Qadeer gained tremendous satisfaction and felt passionate about her work , she wanted to do more . She set future goals to use her passions and energy to do something that would significantly impact her brother ’ s future . It wasn ’ t enough for her to work at meaningful events ; she desired to have a long-lasting effect and influence on the world .
While working at a communications agency , she heard that the largest humanitarian event of the year was coming to Abu Dhabi soon , and it was the 2019 Special Olympics . After hearing this news , something changed in Qadeer ’ s mind , and the whisper she heard came back . She said , “ the whisper that I ’ m talking about … this calling , all of my flags [ were ] up . It was like , I ’ m sorry , [ I ] need to go to this . I couldn ’ t stop thinking about it . I ’ m not going to lie . I was driven .” This loud whisper in her ear led her to take off from work for five days to volunteer where she knew she wanted to be .
" That became everything . I completely changed ," she said . This experience forever changed Qadeer ' s life and led her to her " dream job " at Special Olympics . After those five days , Qadeer wrote several letters to Special Olympics Local Organizing Committee in an effort to work there . She persisted and knew what she wanted , and eventually was hired .
Working towards Special Olympics Games in Abu Dhabi , she gained an understanding of the perspectives of the people and their feelings on inclusion . Qadeer began to recognize the gaps and opportunities present in society and knew that a range of possibilities existed in the Middle East . She had goals and ideas and wanted to be a part of these changes ; her passion stemmed from this cause being so close to home . When starting her position , she had the opportunity to work in the legacy team with the Chief Strategy Officer of Special Olympics , World Games , Abu Dhabi 2019 , where they welcomed 7000 athletes from over 200 countries across 7 emirates .
Soon after joining the team , she assumed the role of Manager , Host Town Program as part of the Local Organizing Committee . " This was pretty huge because [ I was ] managing a multi-layered program at 24 years old . I organized over 10 live-scenario workshops in collaboration with the planning team in readiness of the Host Town Program . To get to utilize and sharpen all my skills was like living as a kid in a candy shop ."