DeBakey High School students participated in a community service project, Project Sunshade, designed to support the many labourers in Doha, as well as children’s organisations in need. This community service project was initiated by DeBakey High School-Qatar in 2014 to
provide an opportunity for students to collect clothes,
hats, shoes, and monetary donations.
To raise funds, Project Sunshade hosted a ‘Spirit Week’ recently, during which students donated cash to dress in unified class colours, to participate in a jerseysports day, and to play games such as darts, golf and football tournaments during break times. Students raised over QR20,000, with contributions from Vodafone Qatar and Galaxy Sports Ezdan. Donations were used to purchase items for labour camp leisure rooms. Additionally, students contributed monetary donations and clothes to the children of Nepal via Qatar Charity.
Another component of Project Sunshade was to raise awareness throughout the school about the importance of helping others that are less fortunate. Students held group meetings and assemblies to ensure all students were a part of the programme’s success.
Tenth grade student, Lynaa Youseff, wrote a very inspiring poem to motivate the school to participate in giving back to the community. An excerpt from her poem: “I’m sorry because I never helped. I’m sorry because I never felt. And when you were living in poverty, I was living in prosperity, Looking for popularity! But I stand here today and ask myself…Where was my clarity?... So my dear friend, I repeat. Give. Be kind. Help others, and have a good day.”
DeBakey High School students are required to complete at least one hundred volunteer hours prior to graduation. Social responsibility and character development are important factors included in the education at the school. Project Sunshade was one of the many avenues by which students gave back to the community this school year. Students participated in several local volunteer programmes such as Best Buddies Qatar, Reach Out to Asia and Qatar Charity.
Through Project Sunshade, students gained valuable experience with strategy, organisation, leadership, and learning the value of community service. Student reflections included: “I felt that Project Sunshade was a success. The amount of volunteer work lifted my spirits as well as the organisations we helped” and “Project Sunshade has really been an adventure, and I hope to continue to participate in such activities.”