PRESS RELEASES
"ATFALOUNA- OUR CHILDREN" campaign raises 39,000 QR in 6 days
10 September 2006
In a vibrant atmosphere, children from all over Qatar came together and participated in various fun activities fully aware that they were doing so to help other less fortunate children. The drawings, poems, messages and art work produced by these children reflected feelings of eagerness to put a smile on the face of children of Lebanon and Palestine. Knowing that the war has caused so much pain and suffering to countless children like them, they were all determined to Reach Out.
The name if the campaign, "ATFALOUNA-Our Children" reflects in both Arabic and English the focus of the fundraiser. Organized by Reach Out to Asia (ROTA) in partnership with Al Jazeera Children's Channel (JCC), both organizations within Qatar Foundation, the campaign ran for one week at the City Center Mall in Doha and saw hundreds of children and families contributing to the cause. Although a fundraising event, the campaign has also been very successful at raising awareness among the community.
ATFALOUNA- Our Children campaign was established to respond to the crisis in Lebanon and Palestine. Its aim is to aid war affected children by providing them with a safe return to their schools. ROTA and JCC want to ensure that children in war affected areas do not miss out on the 2006/07 academic year. The efforts of the campaign will range from supplying temporary schools to rebuilding the educational infrastructure in damaged schools. ROTA has already identified the projects it will adopt in the field.
At City Center, children got involved with many activities by paying a small fee; arts and crafts, poetry, face painting and writing on the 'graffiti' wall. This proved to be very popular for all age groups. The event gathered many ROTA volunteers in their colorful ROTA and JCC T-shirts which helped to inform the public about the campaign. Funds were also raised by selling ROTA merchandise, a DVD containing a song produced by JCC especially for this occasion, and crafts produced by blind children from Al Nour Institute, which has supported the campaign.
The area was active all week but the weekend clearly had the highest participation. On Friday, the last day of the campaign, about 600 people joined hands around the ice skating rink as a symbol of unity and sympathy for the ATFALOUNA-Our Children's cause. It was a remarkable moment that many will remember. The week long campaign raised a total of 39,000 QR (over $10,500 USD) but over all it has empowered children in knowing they can make a difference.
ROTA is grateful to its volunteers whose enthusiasm contributed to making this campaign the great success that it was. ROTA relies greatly on its volunteer network and continues to encourage people to become a part of ROTA's family. For more information on how to become a ROTA volunteer contact Patricia Lynch, Volunteer Programs Specialist, at plynch@qf.org.qa, or Lisa Bseiso, Volunteer Programs Coordinator, at lbseiso@qf.org.qa.
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Children from all over Qatar participated in fun activities to help other children less fortunate than them in Lebanon and Palestine.