The partnership of Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF) and Pakistan Welfare Forum (PWF) generated a record amount of donations to the tune of more than QR2.267m under the slogan “Allamahum” or “Educate Them”.
The fundraising event, held on Thursday was exclusively designed for Pakistani community residing in Qatar. The event was presided over by Dr Ayedh Bin Dibsan Qahtani, the Chairman of Board of Trustees and General Manager of RAF, besides senior officials of RAF, Officials of the Embassy of Pakistan as well as Ezdan Mall management.
There was an overwhelming participation from Pakistani community members comprising professionals, businessmen as well as philanthropists, which made the event memorable. Most of the donations announced were for education, including Adult Education, Special Needs, and Vocational Training Programmes of PWF.
The Guest of Honour, Dr Aize bin Dibsan Qahtani, the Chairman of Board of Trustees and General Manager of RAF, speaking on the occasion, hailed the partnership between RAF and PWF which is helping the deserving families of the Pakistani community.
He also stressed the need for becoming more generous during the month of Ramadan which is in accordance with the teachings of Islam to support those who could not afford. Dr Qahtani also announced a donation of $100,000 to augment PWF’s efforts for community support.
The President of PWF, Ahmad Hussain, while appreciating the RAF’s initiative, said, “Educate Them” provides tremendous opportunities to those who value social responsibility and pay back to the society to uplift the deprived segments of the communities through education.
He stated that this initiative is in line with the Qatar Vision 2030 to create a healthy, sustainable, educated and a knowledge-based society. The PWF president announced doubling of the existing number of beneficiaries of PWF programs. He envisaged that PWF-RAF partnership will go a long way in uplifting the deprived segments of the communities in Qatar through expansion of educational and other welfare programs of PWF which include adult education, special needs education and vocational training.
Ahmad Hussain gave a comprehensive roadmap for PWF for its short term as well as long term goals and objectives. According to the well-defined roadmap, PWF, with the support of and in collaboration with EAA (Education Above All program of Qatar Foundation) will identify the number of Out Of School Children (OOSC) in Qatar who are deprived of education due to socio-economic or other reasons.
PWF is in the process of preparation of a proposal for setting up non-profit making and self-sustainable schools to accommodate and educate these children. This proposal will be submitted to EAA for their approval and support.
In the short term, PWF will expand its existing educational programme for OOSC to accommodate additional 300 children who are already identified. This planned expansion of existing educational programme is also with the help and financial support of EAA. Hussain clarified that the other welfare programmes of PWF will also be strengthened. These programmes include support for patients and help for destitute families.
Earlier, the former President of PWF, Riyaz Bakali, briefed the audience about the history and achievements of the Forum and the projects carried out during his tenure from 2014-16. He mentioned that PWF strives to make a distinguished contribution in association with RAF for furthering the progress of deserving Pakistanis in education, health and financial assistance for poor families or legal advice for non-criminal offences.
Riyaz Bakali gave enumerated report on the PWF’s activities which revealed that PWF has generated funds of more than QR6m during the 5 years out of which QR5.9m were spent on above sectors.
More than 1,500 students were the beneficiaries whose parents could not afford schooling besides PWF’s role in providing help to six students with special needs.
He also mentioned that PWF has supported around 100 families under its family welfare programme and 58 patients got financial compensation under Medical Assistance Program.
He also informed about the “Ramadan Food Campaign”, which is successfully running since the last three years for deserving families.