School students with officials during the ‘Duck Release’ event at the Place Vendôme Mall in Lusail yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/THE PENINSULA
DOHA: The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global organisation dedicated to education and development, yesterday marked a vibrant ‘Duck Release’ activation as a highlight of its 2025 ‘Back to School’ campaign, aimed at raising funds and awareness to support out-of-school children worldwide.
Held in partnership with Place Vendôme Mall, the event brought together hundreds of families, students, and educators. The fountain area of Place Vendôme was transformed into a lively scene of solidarity, with thousands of bright yellow rubber ducks floating across the water symbolising hope and a shared commitment to children who face barriers to education.
Each duck released contributes directly to providing school supplies, scholarships, and classroom rehabilitation in underserved communities across the globe.
Director of Communication and Private Sector Partnerships at EAA Foundation, Taj Sulaiman, while speaking to The Peninsula, said that the activation reinforces the message that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, regardless of their circumstances.
“Each duck symbolises a chance for a brighter future. Priced at QR25, the ducks can be purchased and released into the mall's iconic fountain. It’s a fun activity for families and the community, while also supporting the right to education for millions of children worldwide,” she said.
“Our goal is to help around a thousand children access quality education. Place Vendôme has made this possible by providing over 20,000 ducks, of which nearly 17,000 have already been sold. With only 3,000 remaining, we encourage the community to join in, participate, and be part of this meaningful initiative,” she added.
The ‘Duck Release’ welcomed students and staff of Assalam Schools, Qatar Academy Sidra, Doha International School, and the Jordanian School. They enjoyed entertainment, meals, and educational activities while contributing to support education of vulnerable children in the world. As part of the day’s programme, school groups enjoyed exclusive access to the fountain area, complemented by engaging entertainment and educational activities designed to raise awareness about the right to education and the challenges faced by children worldwide.
“At Place Vendôme, our vision is to go beyond retail, to create experiences that connect and uplift communities,” said Sanjay Mehta, Group Marketing Director at United Developers, owners of Place Vendôme.
“The Duck Release activation is a beautiful example and by transforming our public space into a platform for giving, we empower every visitor to make a tangible impact,” he added.
Running from August 15 to December 31, 2025, EAA’s ‘Back to School’ campaign features a wide range of fundraising initiatives with local partners, from digital donations and charity sports events to school exhibitions and public festivals. Together, these efforts aim to channel much-needed resources to children out of school.
The collaboration between EAA Foundation and Place Vendôme builds on a strong track record of joint efforts.
