It is fun with a cause. A charity in Qatar has organised a moustache growing contest to raise funds for an orphanage in Sri Lanka housing children whose parents died either during bitter communal conflict in the island nation or a devastating tsunami across South Asia in 2004.
The Movember charity, an initiative of Qatar Academy’s male teachers, held the unique competition in November last to fetch money for supporting Sri Lankan orphanage taking care of 26 children.
The charity in a statement said yesterday that the move was part of its annual campaign to raise funds for charitable purposes across the globe.
The primary and senior school teachers went after each other in a month-long campaign, added the
statement.
The funds raised went in part to the Eravur Educational Development Institute (EEDI), the Sri Lankan social service organisation which Qatar Academy
supports.
A significant goal of the organisation is to help a community that had been devastated by 30 years of war and the 2004 tsunami.
As the organisation grows, so does its commitment to address a wide range of needs within the community including employment services, building houses, digging wells and micro-loans.
One of these needs is the Eravur Orphanage where 26 boys, orphaned by either the war or tsunami and with ages ranging from six to 16, are currently living.
The food and shelter is provided by the government and local community but the limited budget of the orphanage does not provide for other needs such as
bedding.
Student and teachers of Qatar Academy who visited them last May noticed this and as a result part of the Movember fundraising proceeds were used to purchase 26 new mattresses.
The number is expected to continue growing as the school remains committed in providing long-term, self-sustaining assistance to the organisation.