Reach Out To Asia volunteers pack distribute groceries
Over 160 families across Qatar to benefit from initiative
Doha , QATAR , 20 September, 2007 - Qatar-based NGO, Reach Out To Asia, and more than a hundred of its dedicated volunteers, kicked off the ROTAQ Ramadan Program with the packing of grocery and hygiene items for 160 families.
Volunteers and ROTA staff got together last weekend to make, pack and stack boxes. Once packed, they were loaded up on trucks and sent to the Doha Youth Center for collection by the families.
The packing of food items is part of the Reach Out To Asia Qatar (ROTAQ) Ramadan Program and highlights the importance of charitable work bringing together the values of sharing and contribution.
The program also provides ROTA volunteers with a chance to contribute to their own communities. Over 100 ROTA volunteers were involved in the packing and collection of food items.
Amongst the volunteers participating, was a group from the Qatar Leadership Academy. Their teacher, Hani Al-Rofou had this to say, " The Cadets were very excited about this program, as they had the opportunity to reach out to others in need, working along with Reach Out To Asia and were very pleased that this opportunity came during the holy month of Ramadan which is a month to give in.  Also, they were glad with how well everything went and they enjoyed their time helping out. The cadets were delighted to be part of this program and hope that more chances are to come for them to be able to work with ROTA and its wonderful team.
Sabah Al Ishaq, Volunteers Coordinator for ROTA, said: "We had our first project this weekend and the volunteers were fantastic. They were all very positive and happy and dedicated to the tasks they were doing. Overall it was a great start to the program. It's great that we are reaching out to our community and at the same time breaking new ground in encouraging a spirit of volunteerism among our country's youth."
The Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities helped identify the 160 families for this project.
In total, 320 boxes were packed with over 23,000 kilograms of grocery items, inclusive of 14,000 personal hygiene products. In addition to 40kg of rice and 50kg of sugar, each family collected two boxes containing: 12 kg macaroni, 10 litres oil, 1 kg tomato paste, 10 kg flour, 5 cans of custard, 5 cans of corn flour, 8 kg salt, 5 kg dates, 3.6 kg tea and 5 bottles of Vimto drink. The hygiene products include 12 packs of body soap, 5 tooth pastes, 10 tooth brushes, 5 shampoo bottles and 12 body loafs.
Talking about the weekend's activities, Ben Simpson, - a volunteer, said: " This program gives us a excellent opportunity to get out there and help others. Â It is a great chance to give back to the communities and lend a helping hand to those in need. I've enjoyed meeting and working with everyone this weekend and seeing what goes into helping people here in Qatar."
Part of the organization's goals are achieved through the Ramadan Program as it aims to spread the culture of volunteerism and charitable work and educating people about the values of Ramadan.
The activities this weekend wouldn't have been possible without the hard work of the volunteers and supporters: THE One, Doha Youth Center, and Qatar International Adventures.
For further details on the ROTA initiatives during Ramadan, send an email to rota@qf.org.qa, or phone 480 0296.
