[Qatari] Student volunteers aid needy in Cambodia

Rota volunteers are seen with their peers in a Cambodian school

The Gulf Times
18th April, 2012

Some 15 female volunteers representing three independent girls secondary schools in Qatar took part in an eight-day trip to Cambodia organised by Reach Out To Asia (Rota).

In collaboration with Rota’s Cambodian partner the Monithapana Foundation and under the sponsorship of Vodafone-Qatar, the all-female volunteer group from Al Bayan Independent Secondary School for Girls, Al Sailiyah Independent Secondary School for Girls and the Amna Bint Wahab Independent Secondary School for Girls hosted workshops for 150 students at the new Rota-funded and supported Hun Sen – Rota General and Technical High School.

Before presenting four workshops covering sports and healthy living, Arabic language and Qatari culture, art and Internet/social media , the volunteers also visited the Phnom Penh Dubai Islamic School where they spent time practicing Arabic and playing games with the students.

“Both students and volunteers had a great time and learnt a lot from each other! One Cambodian student even wrote us a thank you letter with the first two lines in Arabic! The group worked hard but had a wonderful time,” Rota Community Department manager Mohamed Abdulla al-Saleh said.

With funds raised by the three Doha schools prior to their visit, the volunteers presented the Islamic School with educational resources including learning materials, books and a photocopier. The Rota volunteers also engaged in a food distribution activity to provide 400 local families in need with basic food supplies including rice and sugar.

When they weren’t busy visiting the two schools, the volunteers grasped the opportunity to learn about Cambodian history, visit cultural sites, participate in leadership training sessions and even enjoy the occasional rain storm.

“All the students who travelled from Doha are a credit to their parents, their schools and to Qatar. From the moment they arrived in Cambodia they embraced the opportunity to interact with the pupils and engage in meaningful and memorable life-changing experiences,” said a teacher from Al Bayan Educational Complex for Girls. “Everyone connected with the school is determined to make the most of the extraordinary opportunities Rota has given us.”

“Visiting Cambodia changed me. I came 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 Manal al-Mansoori.

Rota’s volunteer programme is planning to invite all the volunteers, parents and school officials involved in the Cambodia volunteer trip to a reflection and celebration event to learn more about their experience.

Father of one of the student volunteers Jassim al-Hammadi said: “I can see how meeting the Cambodian children inspired my daughter. Thanks to Rota, she now tells everyone that she believes every child has the capacity to succeed in school and in life, if only they have access to a quality education.”

More information about Rota’s projects in Cambodia and 10 other Asian countries can be had at www.reachouttoasia.org or the Rota Facebook page www.facebook.com/reachouttoasia.