Local initiative ‘See My Culture’ is organising a series of fund-raising events, that will both bring the community together across all nationalities and the proceeds would be used to provide Eid care packages for low-income workers.
The first is a photography workshop by a Qatari photographer Aref Al-Ammari that will be held on 6 and 7 July at Katara Cultural Village, after the Taraweeh prayers. Participants can learn about the basic of lighting in photography, composing the image, lighting techniques and other tricks and trades of the business. The best photograph will be awarded a prize from Vodafone. Registration fee is QR400 per head.
The other is a cultural workshop titled ‘Qatari Kitchen’ where Ayon Almaha, a Qatari chef, will do a cooking demonstration of an array of delicious, home-cooked, traditional meals. The first Qatari Kitchen workshop was held at K108 Hotel last week. The second workshop will be held at Grand Hyatt in the second half of Ramadan.
A bigger Qatari Kitchen event will be held on 10 July at the Katara Art Center. On the day, there will also be a photo booth, henna, calligraphy, kids zone and a bazaar by local Qatari businesses. On sale will also be mini recipe booklets on how to make the dishes, a booklet on Qatari culture, and postcards made by local artists.
According to Sara, co-founder of See my Culture, both events will not just serve to raise money, but will also help to break the ice between Qataris and expats. “It will be a great opportunity to raise money for the workers around Doha and also to learn more about Qatari culture and meet different people. Our first Qatari Kitchen was a huge success. Both nationals and expatriates appreciated the opportunity to bond over a hot, traditional meal.”
All of the funds collected will be used to put together care packages that include international calling cards and shopping vouchers. “These packages will be distributed as Eid gifts to low-income workers, who live away from their families to build our country,” says Sara.
In fact, people who have donated are free to join the team after the events, to see where and how the money is being used, she adds. The target is to raise about QR10,000 that will help at least 100 workers, or more.
For more details on the events, contact: seemyculture@gmail.com
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
Since its Ramadan, Sara suggests a few other ways to help workers who might be fasting. These include:
Distributing energy bars or dates and water bottle in the evening, after sunset.
Distribute hala cards so they can talk to their family back home.
See My Culture, in partnership with JustHere launched a summer campaign early this month to reach out to low-income workers. The #WhatIWillDo campaign has received great response from the community. Through the campaign, residents are encouraged to engage in simple acts that can make a big difference to lives of migrant workers in the country. Talk to them, ask them about their family, give them a bottle of chilled water or just say a hello.