A team of Reach Out To Asia’s (Rota) volunteers, taking part in Rota’s Ramadan 2013 Project, renovated the home of a disadvantaged family at Al Shamal. During a 3-day renovation that took place from 21 to 23 July, the team spent six hours a day to give the home a complete Rota home makeover.
A well-established activity of Rota’s 7th Annual Ramadan Project, the Rota home makeover saw volunteers carrying out essential maintenance and repairs, painting and assembling and installing new furniture to transform the house into a new family home.
Rota  collaborated  with Qatar Foundation’s Facilities management directorate that provided  expertise from engineers, architects and contractors  for the  repair work of the house.
The local family members  who had benefited from the project  said that they were excited at  the prospect of their ‘new’ home.
“We can never repay the generosity shown to us by Rota. Our family simply could not afford to do the work the Rota volunteers are doing. Now we will have a home to be proud of,” they added.
Rota volunteers gathered at 8am each day and began by cleaning walls and repairing roofs and floors. After a short  break, they continued by painting the walls and decorating the house. Finally the new furniture was delivered whereupon volunteers assembled and installed it and the Rota home makeover was complete.
Rota volunteer Sara Karim said: “I have always believed in giving back to our communities and  I am excited to help a family in need of a better home. When Rota asked for volunteers for its Ramadan 2013 Project, I was ready to take on the challenge of renovating a home for a deserving family.”
“Renovating and redecorating a home is a great opportunity for us to do something that really makes a difference to the quality of life for people who are less fortunate,” said Rota executive director Essa al-Mannai.