Reach Out to Asia (Rota) recently hosted a ‘Training for Trainers’ workshop, part of its Adult English Literacy (RAEL) programme, at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).
Aimed at volunteer tutors, the ‘Training for Trainers’ course covered a range of topics, including Rota’s literacy curriculum, issues facing low-income migrant workers, methods to effectively facilitate adult learning and community-based learning tools.
Participants from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, the Academic Bridge Programme, HBKU Student Housing English Language Programme, Doha Expressway (CH2M HILL) – a project of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), and the Light Railway Transit system, a project of Qatari Diar Vinci Construction, took part in the training course designed to equip volunteer tutors with the necessary skills to effectively facilitate the RAEL initiative.  
Rasmeya Hassan al-Jamali, community development specialist, National Programmes Department at Rota, said: “The training course is an essential component of the Adult English Literacy programme offered to migrant workers in Qatar. It ensures that our volunteer tutors have a thorough understanding of the course material and are well prepared to effectively facilitate the programme.”
The RAEL programme directly increases access to educational facilities and enhances learning opportunities for migrant workers.  
Dr Silvia Pessoa, course trainer, said: “It’s a privilege to be working with such an enthusiastic group of student tutors who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of others.”
This year, 70 student volunteer tutors attended the ‘Training for Trainers’ capacity-building course to gain a better understanding of migrant workers’ backgrounds and acquire skills that would enable them to adequately facilitate the English literacy programme.
As part of the programme, 260 volunteers will teach basic, intermediate and advanced level English classes to a total of 500 workers, including cleaners, pantry staff and other support staff, employed at six universities within Education City.
Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, volunteer tutor from CMU-Q, said: “The training has enhanced my skill set and given me a broader understanding of some of the challenges facing migrant workers.”
Rota, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, had launched RAEL in 2009.

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