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YOUNG&hAPPENING

“Our Role Is Not Only


To Inspire, But To Be
Inspired”

I
n an exclusive interview, HE The idea of ROTA came in prepara-
Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad tion of the Asian Games. His High-
Al Thani, Chairperson of Reach ness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al
Out To Asia (ROTA) speaks of Thani, Chairman of the Doha Asian
the rationale behind the organisation Games wanted to extend Qatar’s
and the work it has been involved in involvement in Asia. Sport is one
so far. She also speaks of the impact way of bringing peace and prosper-
it has had on her, and what she has ity to the region, but he believed
envisioned for the future. that by developing areas in Asia
through education, especially after
How did the idea of ROTA the tsunami and earthquakes, we
originate? could create a stronger foundation.

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Student helped by ROTA’s activities in Lebanon

Therefore, ROTA was created under hand, an average income worker who
the umbrella of Qatar Foundation, does not have as much money would
a non-profit organisation chaired by be more likely to volunteer his time
my mother, Her Highness Sheikha than donate cash. Therefore, I truly
Mozah bint Nasser Al Misnad. believe that it’s a question of what
Qatar Foundation, is a private one person can provide and give back
non-profit organisation, which aims to the community – time or money,
to develop Qatar, on a national level, both are essential and both are
and the region on an international greatly appreciated.
level, as a leader in innovative educa- I can also say that ROTA has been
tion and research. We hope to achieve extremely fortunate in the support it
the United Nation’s Millennium has received. So many schools have
Development and Education for All gotten involved in our community
goals by 2015. projects as well as initiating their
own projects. We have also received
Often people seem more willing an overwhelming amount of interest
to donate money than time, but from school students and teachers
ROTA seeks both. Which has been willing to volunteer their time and
the tougher? Getting people to effort in our field trips to the develop-
donate money, or getting people to ing world. Without these efforts, our
“I strongly believe that the give their time and effort? goals would be very hard to achieve.
Firstly, I do not agree that some Donations from banks and private
human race is inherently people prefer to donate money rather companies have also played a key
good and that, once people than time. Different people prefer to role in providing funds for ROTA’s
give different things based on their sustainability and success.
are made aware of ways in personal capacity. For example, a Here at ROTA, we welcome all de-
which they can contribute, rich businessman may have the mon- grees of support. We want everyone
ey but not the time, and therefore to understand that every little thing
they are only too willing to he is more likely to donate money counts and helps us to make
add to the effort.” as his time is limited. On the other a difference.

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YOUNG&HAPPENING

Pakistani children search for belongings after the 2005 earthquake devastated areas
of the country

How do you decide on areas/proj- hygiene, and fighting hunger to join


ects that need attention? forces with us in achieving our goals.
Within ROTA we have a team You visited a remote region of Pak-
of professionals who undertake istan where ROTA is now rebuild-
fact-finding missions in the seven ing schools in villages devastated
countries we have committed to by the 2005 earthquake. Can you
become active in by the end of 2008; tell us about that experience?
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambo- Clearly, when one witnesses things
dia, Indonesia, Lebanon, Nepal and first hand, the impact is far stronger
Pakistan. They liase with local NGOs than when things are described or
and with governmental departments projected in the media. The area we
to determine where the most urgent visited did not have much. Every-
needs are. This is followed by a full thing was destroyed by the earth-
needs assessment to ensure that any quake. Despite this, we were very
projects taken on are sustainable for happy to see that families were still
the community we are working in. determined to send their children to
In addition, ROTA also responds school.
to disaster, both natural and man- Although the schools that are
made, to ensure that some level of available are simply shades made of
education can be re-established as metal and wood, I think it was a way
quickly as possible. As well as creat- for families to help their children
ing new initiatives, we also pay close overcome the trauma. Because the
attention to developing partnerships area we visited was the most educated
“ROTA is all about taking with other NGOs and build upon
their efforts. When dealing with hu-
region, a lot of the children were on
their way or already in school when
ownership. We want you to manitarian work, no one should work the earthquake happened and there-
make ROTA your instru- alone but should work in partnership
with other non-profit organisations
fore the number of casualties was
high. The children were singing and
ment to initiate change in and networks. In addition, we focus dancing, but in their eyes you could
the people’s lives and the on educational projects and some-
times require other NGO’s with
see that they were traumatised.
ROTA is working with Qatar’s
world around you.” different expertise such as health, Red Crescent and Pakistan’s Red

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YOUNG&HAPPENING

Cross/Crescent network to help we build the schools, and how do we


rebuild schools as well as counsel develop the community? We have
and psychologically rehabilitate the lots of questions, and sometimes the
children of the area. answers are not easy to find.
This is why ROTA really encourag-
What is it that you take back from es volunteer trips. It is important for
these visits? people who donate their money and
I think the most important thing time to see where their contributions
when one tries to help another com- are going, and also to interact with
munity is to understand the commu- different communities and cultures.
nity. Without understanding their It is when we understand each other,
culture, their history and heritage that we can help each other become
it is difficult to help them stand on better people.
their own feet without imposing on I strongly believe that the human
them ideas that are not theirs. It is race is inherently good and that, once
so vital that people help create their people are made aware of ways in
own future and not dictate to them which they can contribute, they are
in their time of need and desperation. only too willing to add to the effort,
When visiting Pakistan, it was often contributing new and innova-
clear that our understanding of de- tive solutions that can bring signifi-
velopment was different to theirs. cant change.
For example, many of the families’ Almost without exception, our
homes were on fault lines, and al- volunteers come back from their field
though the Pakistani authorities tried trips feeling that they have gained
to encourage these families to move much more than they have given.
they insisted to stay. They forge new friendships, experi-
To them, their land was more ence new cultures, discover their
valuable than anything else and to own hidden strengths and, above all,
move was not something they would come away with a strong realisation
consider. Therefore, in coming back of their own personal ability to make
one has to think: how can we help the world a better place.
“...the most important thing them? If they refuse to move, then They become better people, with a
when one tries to help what are the alternatives? Where do broader prospective and a richer soul.

another community is to
understand the community.
Without understanding
their culture, their history
and heritage it is difficult
to help them stand on their
own feet without imposing
on them ideas that are not Temporary classroom at Bayat Klaten School, Indonesia, used by Javanese students after their
theirs.” school was destroyed by the 2006 earthquake

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young&happening

Local Indonesian school children walk to school with ROTA volunteers during a recent field trip

A lot of your work depends on events such as the annual Wheels ‘n’
volunteerism. Do you think that Heels “fun and fitness” day.
spirit still thrives? I often get messages on facebook
Most definitely! We have witnessed or email from people asking me how
a growing desire to become involved they can get involved. To be honest,
and make a difference in the world it is really simple. We have a very in-
particularly amongst our young formative website (www.reachouttoa-
people. ROTA’s task now is to sia.org), and a ROTA group has been
facilitate ways in which people can made online at Facebook’s website.
involve themselves. Our Volunteer Anyone can call us on +9744800296
Program is now operating a program or drop us a line on rota@qf.org.
of Community Impact Days within qa. ROTA has a very competent and
our local communities. This is a helpful team who would be more
great introduction to voluntary work than happy to guide and help anyone
and generally inspires people to move get involved.
on to a deeper level of involvement.
We also welcome ideas from com- Do you think developed and richer
munity members and look forward to countries are doing enough for
seeing them come into action. Our those who need help?
role is not only to inspire, but to be I believe the good intentions are defi-
inspired. nitely there. Some countries do more
than others, and it is important that
How would you encourage people we work with each other. I would
to get involved? like to see more united efforts in the
There are so many ways in which region, as there are many opportuni-
“Clearly, when one witnesses people can participate; organising ties for us to work together. Some-
fundraising events through their times it takes more than money to
things first hand, the impact school or university, workplace or help those in need – a global strategy
is far stronger than when social groups; initiating ideas for agreed on by both developing and
community projects; encouraging developed countries is needed. ROTA
things are described or pro- friends and families to join them is planning to hold a Philanthropic
jected in the media.” in their efforts; supporting ROTA Summit here in Doha towards the

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young&happening

ROTA volunteer hands out school supplies to local Pakistani children during our humanitarian
relief effort in 2006
end of 2008; the goal of this confer- Now that we have our projects in
ence is to discuss amongst ourselves place, we are able to do more work
the regional issues and encourage the both locally and regionally.
wealthy individuals of this region to In the near future, we plan to pro-
get more involved. vide aid to local low-income families,
especially in the schooling of their
Though ROTA has taken up sever- children, as well as building aware-
al projects, there still doesn’t seem ness of social differences and needs
to be a ‘connect’ with the average among local youth. We want to create
person locally. What efforts are on a healthy environment where less
to include the community in your privileged families are not neglected.
activities? We are all born into different circum-
Many people ask about ROTA’s stances, and we all have to work with
efforts in Qatar. We are developing each other to develop a healthy and
local projects to reach communi- stable community.
ties around Doha, which will also Finally, we have recently completed
increase the community spirit of the construction of our interactive
volunteerism. We are currently run- website. There are many ways for one
ning a Ramadan outreach program, to get involved and I strongly encour-
which provides food, supplies and age anyone who wants to get involved
other support to local families in to visit our website. Everyone can play
Qatar. ROTA staff and volunteers an important role in our discussion
“I truly believe that it’s a will be delivering hot Iftar meals, forums and blogs by discussing and
question of what one person and other household supplies and
appliances, as well as taking part in
initiating ideas for local projects and
fundraising efforts. If you are not a
can provide and give back our Ramadan community service volunteer you can register online to be-
to the community – time or activities at local hospitals and
institutions.
come a member of our volunteer team.
ROTA is all about taking owner-
money, both are essential At the same time, in our two-year ship. We want you to make ROTA
your instrument to initiate change
and both are greatly history, we focused on creating our
regional strategy to achieve the 2015 in the people’s lives and the world
appreciated.” Millennium Development Goals. around you

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