Under the umbrella of Qatar Unites Us, an ongoing CSR initiative, Doha Festival City (DHFC) has announced a collaboration with Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, wherein EAA envisions bringing hope and real opportunity to the lives of impoverished and marginalised children, youth and women.
"Doha Festival City is committed to social responsibility, and has always thrived to take an active part in promoting major causes effecting the community. This year, the Back to School initiative will support Education Above All Foundation’s ‘Protecting Education’ campaign," DHFC said in a statement.
Through this partnership, Qatar residents will have the opportunity to give back to the community where shoppers at the mall can help send underprivileged children back to school, by donating while shopping for their favourite brands.
Doha Festival City is running its Back to School offers until September 9, during which major retailers will be releasing their latest collection of school supplies, ranging from clothing through to all school essentials.
With a host of major brands assisting in support of the Back to School collaboration with EAA Foundation, visitors can now "do the right thing by donating to protect education", the statement notes.
Among the participating brands are Old Navy and Centrepoint brands, including Home Centre and Max, where people can shop and do their bit to help marginalised children get quality education.
"Visit Old Navy, American essentials accessible to every family, and enjoy great new products in the store to celebrate the season," the statement continues. "Centrepoint is your go-to destination, bringing together Landmark Group’s core retail brands, including Max, offering value fashion and footwear, and Home Centre offering a complete home experience.
"Get your hands on amazing stationary and acrylic storage products by Japanese retail store Muji, who are also participating in the campaign."
Further, shoppers can donate directly to the EAA Foundation through the donation box placed at a strategic location in the mall by West Court 2, throughout August and September.
Robert Hall, general manager of Doha Festival City, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Education Above All Foundation and support them in their efforts to provide access to education for children and youth in areas affected by poverty, conflict and disaster. We are fully aware of the importance of education, not just for providing a better life to a child but also towards the economic development of a country and globally. We hope that Doha Festival City will continue to be the destination of choice for our Community and will support us in this notable cause.”
Mubarak al-Thani, Communication manager and head of Advocacy at EAA Foundation, said: "We appreciate the efforts of Doha Festival City and its support for the 'Protecting Education' campaign. The donations will contribute to our mission to provide quality education opportunities to the impoverished and marginalised, in order to enable them to exercise their basic right to education and give them a better chance to build their future."
The EAA Foundation is a global education foundation established in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
The 'Protecting Education' campaign aims to garner global advocacy to ensure accountability for the continued, deliberate attacks on education and the prevalent armed violence experienced by children worldwide.
DHFC’s opening hours are from Saturday to Wednesday, 10am to 10pm, and from Thursday to Friday, 10am to 11pm.
In line with the preventive measures set out by the authorities, DHFC has introduced stringent health and safety measures throughout the mall for its staff and visitors. This includes a thorough mall disinfection treatment on a weekly basis, robust cleaning and sanitisation operations during mall trading hours and 127 hand sanitising stations installed in the areas that have commonly touched surfaces.
