Volunteers from CNA-Q during their trip to Yogyakarta, Indonesia as part of ROTA’s Volunteer Program.
Doha: Education Above All (EAA) Foundation’s programme Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) yet again succeeded in taking its voyage further towards Indonesia, by recently coordinating a student volunteer trip from December 14 to 22, in collaboration with the College of North Atlantic - Qatar (CNA–Q) and Titian Foundation Indonesia.
During the trip, a group of 20 students and three staff from CNA-Q travelled with ROTA staff to the SMK1 Ngawen Technical School in the Klaten district of Yogyakarta to facilitate various technical vocational workshops over a five-day service learning program. The workshops focused on relevant speciality areas of CNA-Q students that added value to the curricula of local students with topics including Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, Personal Development, Safety & Security and Health & Nutrition.
In addition, student volunteers also participated in a range of cultural and team-building activities in order to better understand the people, culture and environment of Indonesia.
ROTA’s Volunteer Program has been conducting International Volunteer Trips since 2006. Through trips to Pakistan, Cambodia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Tunisia and Indonesia, the Volunteer Program has sought to create a movement of volunteers and responsible global citizens within Qatar that actively carry out initiatives to make a positive impact on the lives of communities across Asia.
ROTA National Programs Director, Mohammed Al Saleh said: “ROTA’s International Volunteer Trips provide so many opportunities for volunteers and local beneficiaries alike to enjoy some really profound experiences wherein they learn more about others through cross-cultural exchange and interpersonal communication as well as learn about themselves through reflection and improved self-awareness.
Importantly, these young ROTA Volunteers also act as ambassadors for Qatar, which is a responsibility they embrace and take very seriously. They were particularly happy to demonstrate their patriotism and pride for Qatar during this trip on National Day which they celebrated in Indonesia with local students by sharing the culture, history and souvenirs of their homeland.”
Since 2006, ROTA has successfully implemented 37 international volunteer trips aimed at providing opportunities for volunteers to add value to projects while also learning about development challenges and how education addresses them. Volunteers have included high school students, university students and adults while trips typically last from seven to 10 days and combine voluntary service with experiential learning opportunities, cross cultural exchanges and leadership training.
ROTA-EAA’s Volunteer Program aims to promote a culture of volunteerism in Qatar, create a link between ROTA-EAA’s national and international initiatives, and build the capacity of volunteers and beneficiaries by engaging in meaningful service, cross cultural exchange and skills transfer.
