QRC educational initiatives benefit Syrian students

Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has been involved in various educational projects both within and outside Qatar.

One of QRC’s key educational projects in Qatar is: “Helping them starts with educating them” initiative. It was carried out in the 2012-13 academic year for the benefit of 373 Syrian students, of whom 222 studied in the Syrian school and 151 in the Jordanian school, from the first to 11th grades.

The project budget was more than QR2.68mn after a gesture of support from HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. QRC provided funding of QR795,200, including follow-up and evaluation to ensure proper functioning of the programme.

The Intilaka programme was implemented in light of QRC’s strategy, which focuses on sustainable development projects that invest in people and allow them to gain the necessary skills to support themselves. There is a particular focus on women and the vulnerable, boosting their chances of getting a suitable job.

“Starting Point” is run in collaboration with the British Council’s Springboard Women’s Development Programme, which adds a new dimension to the process of the development of Qatari women in society. The programme consisted of four workshops offered over a month, providing them with training in the form of a set of practical activities. Thirty women benefited from the programme.

The rehabilitation of Palestinian doctors in rare specialties began in 2003 as a collaboration between QRC and Hamad Medical Corporation and is an ongoing process.

The aim of the Wekaya campaign, which is carried out in collaboration with the Supreme Health Council, is to raise the awareness of expatriate workers about communicable diseases and equip them with suitable skills so that they do not get infected. More than 6,500 workers have benefited from the campaign so far.

QRC selected a group of volunteers to start implementing a programme to reduce the risk of earthquakes under the slogan “The Safe School”. The programme targets 50 schools during the first year and will benefit students as well as administrative and educational staff. Through the programme, QRC aims to develop a guide for public schools to raise awareness about the dangers of earthquakes.

In addition, QRC offers training courses and medical education lectures on diseases, nutrition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the importance of sports etc. Around 155 first-aid sessions and 66 awareness lectures have been carried out for the benefit of 4,564 trainees. QRC also offers courses in water rescue, lectures and public education courses.

Outside Qatar, QRC has carried out several projects in Palestine to contribute to the improvement of higher education facilities and meet the needs of young Palestinians. These include the improvement and maintenance of College of Ability Development (Khan Younis), equipping and furnishing the conference hall at Faculty of Science and Technology (Khan Younis), establishing and furnishing the technical workshop at Applied Sciences College and the establishment of a new centre for Al-Quds Open University (Khan Younis).

QRC also carried out a project to bring talent in various disciplines from different countries to help implement the Master of Public Health Management programme and Diploma in Anaesthesia. This programme benefited 25 Palestinian students from Gaza.

In addition, five experts (physicians) in various medical disciplines were brought to train doctors and technicians in hospitals in Gaza. A grant to support Islamic University students and other needy students was established for the benefit of 380 youths.

Meanwhile, Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) secretary-general Saleh al-Muhannadi has stressed that holding awareness initiatives for expatriate labourers stems from the belief that prevention is better than cure as well as the need to ensure a healthy environment for them.

He said awareness lectures are delivered to workers who visit QRC health centres in the Industrial Area, Al Mamoora and the expatriates’ health centre. The topics include personal hygiene and the nature, causes and prevention of communicable diseases.