Doha: About 500 students received their first book for the summer, courtesy of Qatar Airways (QA) and Atlanta Public Schools in the US to start the ‘School’s Out, Reading Is In!’ programme.
QA cabin crew and staff from the Americas’ office visited Heritage Academy Elementary School to distribute books and share stories with the children on how important reading – and travelling – is to expanding personal horizons. The ‘School’s Out, Reading Is In!’ programme inspires students to maintain academic progress through the summer holiday by providing each student from K-5 with books, grade-appropriate.
QA is partnering with Atlanta Public Schools to support the endeavour and further inspire students to explore the world through reading.
“We believe in the power of travel to expand our understanding of the world,” said Gunter Saurwein, Vice-President of the Americas, QA.
“A love of reading is the first step in cultivating a life of exploration, and the programme is a powerful contribution to these students’ development. When they are older, we will be ready to make their dreams come true by flying them around the world, so they can experience the places they read about this summer.”
QA’s cabin crew, representing six cultures from around the world, visited students to discuss summer travel and their home countries and to read with them. They also shared their favourite travel stories. Students broke into groups to read their first summer book together. The cabin crew gave each student a mini football from FC Barcelona, the football team of which QA is the primary sponsor, to start their summer break.
Dr Meria Carstarphen, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools, said: “Helping elementary school students build strong reading skills is fundamental to ensuring students graduate college and are career ready.
“We are grateful for partners like QA who provide resources and volunteers who inspire our students to develop a love for life-long reading.”
QA is committed to inspiring a love of education, travel and other cultures in each of the communities it serves. QA is also the official communications ambassador for Education Above All Foundation’s ‘Educate a Child’ (EAC) global programme. Launched in November 2012 by H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, EAC aims to significantly reduce the number of children worldwide who are denied their right to education.
EAC is a commitment to children who are out of school to help provide them with opportunities to learn and contributes to the UN’s Global Education First Initiative and the Millennium Development Goal 2. QA serves thousands of young passengers each day, en route to over 150 destinations around the world. As part of its award-winning inflight service, every aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art entertainment systems, such as interactive games and educational programmes, designed for younger audiences and toddlers.
Baby TV, a new feature on board most flights, helps sooth and relax the youngest travellers on overnight flights.
The Peninsula
