Qatar’s Trailblazers |
“The bombing of our
schools in Gaza was
without doubt one of
the most traumatic
and challenging
moments. Yet it is also
an example of our
resilience, and how
we can transform
a sad event into a
success story.”
| ROTA programme
worked hard to rehabilitate the
educational environment in Gaza
since 2014, and is determined to
continue these efforts to ensure
children in the Strip receive the
education they deserve.
What ROTA initiative have you
been most inspired by?
The Al Koora Art Project was
a concept developed by ROTA’s
Volunteer Programme that
connected children with special
needs with a collective of young
aspiring Qatari artists. To celebrate
Qatar’s successful 2022 World
Cup bid, the children and artists
created works of art that represented
different elements of Qatar, its
people, and its natural environment
in the past, present and future. These
works of art were then auctioned at
ROTA’s 2011 Gala Dinner, raising
a phenomenal USD 1.5 million,
which went on to fund numerous
educational initiatives across Asia.
Today, the Al Koora pieces are
on show at Hamad International
Airport alongside artwork by
internationally-acclaimed artists.
How has ROTA benefitted from
joining Education Above All
(EAA) Foundation?
tremendously from the patronage
and leadership of Her Highness
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser,
Founder and Chairperson of
Education Above All Foundation.
Beyond this, we see a two-way
experience-sharing benefit: ROTA
has learnt from EAA’s extensive
experience and best practice,
while EAA has brought to the
table its own pool of knowledge
on increasing access to quality
education, youth empowerment,
and the value of strong
community engagement.
From my perspective, the added
value has been two-fold. By
merging with EAA, we have gained
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