Yusuf Muhundhan
Born in Dubai, 11-year-old Yusuf has quite a different take on his life in Qatar which has been his home for the past six years. He is a student of Stafford Sri Lankan School Doha. Speaking about the opportunities he has already received, he noted“ a great school and a lot of activities such as sports.” He stated that he finds entertainment, in the traditional and cultural events promoted in Qatar and more importantly in the works of art the country celebrates.“ I would like to stay in Qatar but perhaps go somewhere else too to get more experience.”
Ethiopian / Sri Lanka by origin, this 6th grader, has his goals set high;“ I want to become a pilot and I think Qatar will help me achieve my goal.” His words of wisdom for youngsters who wish to move to Qatar?“ Enjoy Qatar, get to know its culture and don’ t judge a book by its cover!”
“ I want to become a pilot and I hope Qatar will help me achieve my goal”
28 Society
Nada Hassan
As a little 9-year old girl coming to Qatar for the first time in 2010, she was fascinated by this new nation and what it could offer her.“ My dad got an opportunity here in Qatar and we joined him a year later.” She noted with nostalgia that moving to Qatar was a wise decision at a time when her home-country was politically unstable. Educated at Egyptian Language School, Nada Hassan smiled and said that her dad had described Qatar as‘ beautiful’ to her and that only added to her sense of curiosity.“ I really liked Qatar from the first day … I have fun with my friends. I really love most of the places here such as Villaggio where you can do skating and go bowling.”
“ Sometimes I feel like this is my home. I don’ t feel I can fit-in anywhere as much as I fit-in here. So Qatar is obviously my home”
Nada finds the people in Qatar warm and hospitable;“ I feel they care about people, if I need something they will welcome me and help me.” The recipient of the Bronze medal for Volleyball, Nada had participated in the School Olympic Tournaments three years in a row. Such opportunities in her opinion are rare and hard to come by in her home country.
Determined to enter the field of Medicine professional, Nada strongly feels that Qatar will be the place where she realises this dream;“ They provide training in the early stages. For example, being in high school right now, if I request for a certification of me as a trainee they will welcome the idea.” According to her, individuals employed in Qatar refer to their careers as‘ satisfying’ which runs parallel with the Qatar National Vision which focuses on the social and mental well-being of its citizens.“ I feel like my friend are my family. That is awesome!”
“ Sometimes I feel like this is my home. I don’ t feel I can fit-in, in my own country as much as I fit-in here. So it is obviously my home. I’ m happy.”
Giyaz Olayiwola
All the way from Nigeria, Giyaz is preparing for his Advanced Level Examinations at Stafford Sri Lankan School Doha. He first came to Qatar in 2008 and is grateful that his parents have received employment opportunities that are worthy and invaluable:“ This helped them raise me up in a proper manner and it is a better environment than where I was before.” A sports fanatic, Giyaz eagerly looks forward to 2022 Football World Cup and states that he would love to continue to school in Qatar provided he is able to obtain a scholarship for which he is making an effort.