Reach Out To Asia’s (ROTA’s) goodwill ambassador and social media celebrity Ghanim al-Muftah has undertaken a visit to Palestinian refugee camp Nahr El Bared, Lebanon, this Ramadan to witness the beginning of a new community sports centre that will benefit 5,000 local children living there.
ROTA, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, will work alongside partner American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) to complete the project.
“The Enhancing Non-Formal Education for Palestinian Youth in the North of Lebanon Programme” is an extension and expansion of Anera’s partnership and sees ROTA continue ongoing charity work at the Nahr El Bared camp since 2010.
The project will offer a safe haven for some 5,000 youths living in the refugee camp, where they can learn, play and socialise. Al-Muftah, with the support of his many followers, pledged to raise QR1mn this Ramadan in order to help the disadvantaged children using #withyouwereach1million
At the refugee camp, al-Muftah met children affected by political displacement and spent time talking about their needs and dreams.
His trip is one step towards his new campaign, “With you we reach one million riyals”, to raise the sum and help make the children’s aspirations for sporting and recreational facilities a reality.
With the help of al-Muftah, ROTA aims to raise “much-needed funds” to build a green sports facility near Nahr El Bared, which will serve as a community facility for youths aged 16 to 25 years who are affected by the poor conditions and substandard facilities of the camp.
The centre stems from the “plus sports” methodology, whereby sport is used as a pathway to guide children via confidence building, practising social skills, vocational training and preparatory learning support.
In a statement, ROTA said it is proud to have al-Muftah as an active goodwill ambassador and the recent visit signifies his first fundraising challenge in this important role.
As a popular student activist, his involvement helps highlight vital projects and encourages donations through his real-life experience and empathy for the children he has encountered.
Essa al-Mannai, executive director of ROTA, said: “The new sports facility, to be built with ROTA’s help, will provide a safe place for them (the children) to learn, grow in confidence, acquire skills and increase community participation. I wish to thank Ghanim for his tireless support and immense efforts in making this new centre a reality for the children of Nahr
El Bared.”
At the end of Ramadan, ROTA will announce the total sum raised through al-Muftah’s trip and share further updates on the green sports facility at Nahr El Bared. To show support and donate funds to the children of Palestine, one can visit www.justgiving.com
ROTA is also hosting a number of other charitable Ramadan activities, including workers’ Iftar, fundraising Ghabqa, school-renovation projects and grocery donations, all made possible with the help of ROTA volunteers.