An article that was in the Gulf Times about our trip to Romania...
Volunteers help rebuild homes in Roma community
Publish Date: Tuesday,29 November, 2011, at 12:26 PM Doha Time
A group of teachers from the American School Doha, the Qatar Academy and the Community College of Qatar recently took a trip to Romania for a week of volunteer work for the Habitat for Humanity.
ASD teacher Rebeka Fergusson-Lutz gathered the group of educators to help build and renovate houses for a struggling Roma community in Baltesti.
They were joined by Qatari ASD graduate Reem al-Wohaibi, invited by Fergusson-Lutz, who took the opportunity to work directly with local people in a developing country for the first time.
“I have always wanted to do something like this, so when the opportunity arose and despite my qualms, I accepted my friend’s offer,” she said.
“Going to the Roma community for the first time and witnessing their poor living conditions was definitely a shock for me,” she noted, adding: “I had only witnessed this sort of poverty on TV. Seeing these people in the flesh and the way they lived saddened me - it gave me even more motivation to fulfil the work we were there to do.”
Habitat for Humanity is an organisation that helps build homes for less fortunate people around the world and relies heavily on volunteers to carry out its work.
Al-Wohaibi explained: “I didn’t know what to expect but knew that it would entail doing construction work, with a team of people I haven’t met before, in fairly cold conditions and in a foreign country. It would be a far cry from my comfort zone and that of the majority of Qatari women.
“Witnessing the labourers working on projects around my country, I’ve always sympathised with them, being in a different country and away from their families and doing strenuous work daily. I wanted to gain some personal perspective to what these people, who are helping building my country, are going through. I also saw this challenge as an opportunity to test my strength and myself.”
The trip was made possible by Doha-based Al Jaber Engineering, who provided the money the team’s airfare to and from Bucharest.
“Having the support of Al Jaber was a huge blessing to us. Being able to go to Romania to serve others was a great way for us to celebrate Eid,” Fergusson-Lutz said, adding “we are really grateful that the directors at Al-Jaber put such value on these kinds of charitable projects.”
“I would definitely recommend this and hope this would not be the first and last time for me, abroad or in Qatar. Anyone can make a difference,” al-Wohaibi added.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
An amazing experience for Doha team in Romania
An article that was in the Qatar Tribune about our amazing H4H trip to Romania during November 4-11:
An amazing experience for Doha team in Romania
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA REEM al Wohaibi never thought she’d spend her Eid holiday wielding a power screwdriver and pounding nails in the drizzly cold, much less for a community of Roma people (gypsies) in Romania.
But, al Wohaibi found her week in Romania, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, both empowering and life-changing.
The Qatari woman joined the team of volunteers at the encouragement of her American expatriate friend, Rebeka Fergusson-Lutz, a teacher at the American School of Doha (ASD) and a former US Peace Corps volunteer to Romania.
Fergusson-Lutz had gathered 8 other educators from Doha, primarily from ASD but also from Qatar Academy and the Community College of Qatar, to get their hands dirty by working for Habitat for Humanity for a week.
The plan was to build and renovate houses for a struggling Roma community in Baltesti, a village about an hour northeast of Bucharest, the capital city.
Al Wohaibi, a 1996 graduate of ASD and a long-time financial supporter of charitable organisations, had never before travelled to a developing country to work directly with the local people.
“I have always wanted to do something like this. So, when the opportunity arose and despite my qualms, I accepted my friend’s offer,” she said.
“Going to the Roma community for the first time and witnessing their poor living conditions was definitely a shock for me,” al Wohaibi said. “I had only witnessed this sort of poverty on TV.
Seeing these people in the flesh and the way they lived saddened me. It gave me even more motivation to fulfil the work we were there to do,” she added.
Habitat for Humanity (HfH) is an organisation that works in building homes for the less fortunate around the world. The HfH relies heavily on groups of volunteers, both national and international, to fulfil its mission of providing affordable housing for the working poor.
Al Wohaibi explained, “I didn’t know what to expect but knew that it would entail doing construction work, with a team of people I haven’t met before, in fairly cold conditions and in a foreign country.
It would be a far cry from my comfort zone and that of the majority of Qatari women.
Witnessing the labourers working on projects around my country, I’ve always sympathised with them, being in a different country and away from their families and doing strenuous work daily. I wanted to gain some personal perspective to what these people, who are helping to build my country, are going through. I also saw this challenge as an opportunity to test my strength and myself.” She continued, “The support from my friends and family were amazing. I only had one or two people asking me why I needed to do this and why a woman should do construction work? That type of response, ironically, made me even more determined to go on this trip.” The trip was made possible in large part by the generosity of Doha-based Al-Jaber Engineering, which provided the money for the team’s airfare to and from Bucharest.
“Having the support of Al- Jaber was a huge blessing to us. Being able to go to Romania to serve others was a great way for us to celebrate Eid,” Fergusson-Lutz said.
“We are really grateful that the directors at Al-Jaber put such value on these kinds of charitable projects. I would definitely recommend this to people who would be willing to do something like this and hope this would not be the first and last time for me, abroad or in Qatar. Anyone can make a difference,” al Wohaibi remarked.
An amazing experience for Doha team in Romania
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA REEM al Wohaibi never thought she’d spend her Eid holiday wielding a power screwdriver and pounding nails in the drizzly cold, much less for a community of Roma people (gypsies) in Romania.
But, al Wohaibi found her week in Romania, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, both empowering and life-changing.
The Qatari woman joined the team of volunteers at the encouragement of her American expatriate friend, Rebeka Fergusson-Lutz, a teacher at the American School of Doha (ASD) and a former US Peace Corps volunteer to Romania.
Fergusson-Lutz had gathered 8 other educators from Doha, primarily from ASD but also from Qatar Academy and the Community College of Qatar, to get their hands dirty by working for Habitat for Humanity for a week.
The plan was to build and renovate houses for a struggling Roma community in Baltesti, a village about an hour northeast of Bucharest, the capital city.
Al Wohaibi, a 1996 graduate of ASD and a long-time financial supporter of charitable organisations, had never before travelled to a developing country to work directly with the local people.
“I have always wanted to do something like this. So, when the opportunity arose and despite my qualms, I accepted my friend’s offer,” she said.
“Going to the Roma community for the first time and witnessing their poor living conditions was definitely a shock for me,” al Wohaibi said. “I had only witnessed this sort of poverty on TV.
Seeing these people in the flesh and the way they lived saddened me. It gave me even more motivation to fulfil the work we were there to do,” she added.
Habitat for Humanity (HfH) is an organisation that works in building homes for the less fortunate around the world. The HfH relies heavily on groups of volunteers, both national and international, to fulfil its mission of providing affordable housing for the working poor.
Al Wohaibi explained, “I didn’t know what to expect but knew that it would entail doing construction work, with a team of people I haven’t met before, in fairly cold conditions and in a foreign country.
It would be a far cry from my comfort zone and that of the majority of Qatari women.
Witnessing the labourers working on projects around my country, I’ve always sympathised with them, being in a different country and away from their families and doing strenuous work daily. I wanted to gain some personal perspective to what these people, who are helping to build my country, are going through. I also saw this challenge as an opportunity to test my strength and myself.” She continued, “The support from my friends and family were amazing. I only had one or two people asking me why I needed to do this and why a woman should do construction work? That type of response, ironically, made me even more determined to go on this trip.” The trip was made possible in large part by the generosity of Doha-based Al-Jaber Engineering, which provided the money for the team’s airfare to and from Bucharest.
“Having the support of Al- Jaber was a huge blessing to us. Being able to go to Romania to serve others was a great way for us to celebrate Eid,” Fergusson-Lutz said.
“We are really grateful that the directors at Al-Jaber put such value on these kinds of charitable projects. I would definitely recommend this to people who would be willing to do something like this and hope this would not be the first and last time for me, abroad or in Qatar. Anyone can make a difference,” al Wohaibi remarked.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
50 things that make people happy...
I think I will save this one for posterity. It made me happy just reading it! Numbers 3 and 4 make me very happy, but not to say the others do not. It is about the simple and small things in life... :)
50 things that make people happy
Oct 29, 2011 at 14:46
By Indo Asian News Service, IANS
London, Oct 29 (IANS) Finding money in an old pair of jeans, having a picnic in the sun, getting flowers or chocolates from a loved one or a thank you card in the mail are some of the things that make people feel happy, a study has revealed.
A person being told that he or she has lost weight, climbing into bed with freshly washed sheets and seeing an old couple hold hands also help brighten a person's day, says the study of 3,000 people conducted by Three Barrels Brandy.
Sunshine was found to be one of the major factors for happiness. Waking up to a sunny day, sitting in the sun, having a picnic in the sun, and driving with the car windows down on a sunny day all appear in the top 20, the Daily Express reported.
'We can be having a terrible day at work when a quick thank you from the boss can pick us up and make us feel great. Similarly, we could be stuck in traffic when our favourite song comes on the radio and makes us forget about the nightmare daily commute. Small gestures from friends and family can also work wonders when you're feeling a bit down in the dumps,' a research spokesman said.
Most people feel at their happiest at around 6 p.m. Saturdays, the research revealed.
The list of 50 things that make people happy:
1. Finding a 10-pound note in an old pair of jeans
2. Going on holiday
3. Getting into bed with freshly washed sheets
4. Swimming in the sea
5. Waking up on a sunny day
6. Sitting in the sun
7. Being surprised with flowers or chocolates
8. Getting a nice message from a loved one
9. Cuddles
10. Getting a thank you card in the post
11. Seeing old people holding hands
12. Driving a car with the window down on a sunny day
13. Winning a tenner
14. Booking a holiday
15. Listening to your favourite song
16. Finding a bargain
17. Seeing an old friend
18. Picnic in the park
19. Getting promoted
20. Romantic night out
21. Hearing a song that reminds you of your past
22. Looking back at old photos
23. Making a new friend
24. Getting a quiet moment to yourself
25. Walks in the country
26. Hearing a baby laugh
27. Having a girlie/lads night out
28. Waking up on a Saturday morning and realising it's the weekend
29. Chocolate
30. Eating cake
31. Fitting into a pair of jeans you thought were too small
32. Praise from your boss
33. Smell of freshly baked bread or cookies
34. Warm bubble bath
35. Someone telling you you have lost weight
36. Finding out someone likes you
37. Sunday dinners
38. Smell of freshly cut grass
39. Landing at the holiday airport
40. Good hair day
41. Bank holidays
42. Passing a driving test
43. Swanky hotel rooms
44. Children doing well at school
45. Someone offering elderly people their seat on the bus or train
46. Someone giving you their car parking ticket at the car park
47. Waking up to find out it has snowed overnight
48. Drinking a cold beer after work
49. Eating comfort food
50. Kissing
50 things that make people happy
Oct 29, 2011 at 14:46
By Indo Asian News Service, IANS
London, Oct 29 (IANS) Finding money in an old pair of jeans, having a picnic in the sun, getting flowers or chocolates from a loved one or a thank you card in the mail are some of the things that make people feel happy, a study has revealed.
A person being told that he or she has lost weight, climbing into bed with freshly washed sheets and seeing an old couple hold hands also help brighten a person's day, says the study of 3,000 people conducted by Three Barrels Brandy.
Sunshine was found to be one of the major factors for happiness. Waking up to a sunny day, sitting in the sun, having a picnic in the sun, and driving with the car windows down on a sunny day all appear in the top 20, the Daily Express reported.
'We can be having a terrible day at work when a quick thank you from the boss can pick us up and make us feel great. Similarly, we could be stuck in traffic when our favourite song comes on the radio and makes us forget about the nightmare daily commute. Small gestures from friends and family can also work wonders when you're feeling a bit down in the dumps,' a research spokesman said.
Most people feel at their happiest at around 6 p.m. Saturdays, the research revealed.
The list of 50 things that make people happy:
1. Finding a 10-pound note in an old pair of jeans
2. Going on holiday
3. Getting into bed with freshly washed sheets
4. Swimming in the sea
5. Waking up on a sunny day
6. Sitting in the sun
7. Being surprised with flowers or chocolates
8. Getting a nice message from a loved one
9. Cuddles
10. Getting a thank you card in the post
11. Seeing old people holding hands
12. Driving a car with the window down on a sunny day
13. Winning a tenner
14. Booking a holiday
15. Listening to your favourite song
16. Finding a bargain
17. Seeing an old friend
18. Picnic in the park
19. Getting promoted
20. Romantic night out
21. Hearing a song that reminds you of your past
22. Looking back at old photos
23. Making a new friend
24. Getting a quiet moment to yourself
25. Walks in the country
26. Hearing a baby laugh
27. Having a girlie/lads night out
28. Waking up on a Saturday morning and realising it's the weekend
29. Chocolate
30. Eating cake
31. Fitting into a pair of jeans you thought were too small
32. Praise from your boss
33. Smell of freshly baked bread or cookies
34. Warm bubble bath
35. Someone telling you you have lost weight
36. Finding out someone likes you
37. Sunday dinners
38. Smell of freshly cut grass
39. Landing at the holiday airport
40. Good hair day
41. Bank holidays
42. Passing a driving test
43. Swanky hotel rooms
44. Children doing well at school
45. Someone offering elderly people their seat on the bus or train
46. Someone giving you their car parking ticket at the car park
47. Waking up to find out it has snowed overnight
48. Drinking a cold beer after work
49. Eating comfort food
50. Kissing
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Well Being Awareness Week 2011
The week of October 16-20, 2011 we celebrated Well Being Awareness Week for the second year at ASD and it was just as big of hit as it was last year. You can check out my post from last year to see how it transpired: Well Being Awareness Week. Once again this year, we had an assembly with some zumba dancing to kick off the week. Students also had a variety of different activities they could try during the week. If they went to the different activities during recess time, they could put there name in a jar for a drawing to win some neat water bottles!
I was really pleased with the well-being posters that my 3rd, 4th and 5th graders made to post in the hallways! They thought of so many different and creative ideas! We also headed outside again this year to play some fun games in Spanish!
I was really pleased with the well-being posters that my 3rd, 4th and 5th graders made to post in the hallways! They thought of so many different and creative ideas! We also headed outside again this year to play some fun games in Spanish!
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| My funny 5th grade boys! What would I do without them?! |
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| Bienestar means well-being! |
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| Be healthy. Drink water! |
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| Exercise! Play sports! |
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| I helped out with a yoga session during recess... |
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| It was a big hit! |
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| Be happy... |
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| Eat your colors! |
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| Eat fruits and vegetables to grow stronger! |
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| Wash your hands posters for 1st and 2nd grade students. |
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| Dance Like No One is Watching! |
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| Everyone loves a little bit of macarena... |
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| Make the world better. Don't litter. |
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| What would I do without these two 1st graders?!? ! |
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| Cat and mouse never gets old with this bunch! |
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| Ms. Houston enjoying some active games with her class... ;) Being able to wear work out clothes all week wasn't bad either... |
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| Cat and mouse with the 5th graders. |
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| Pato, pato, ganso with 2nd grade! |
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| Pato, pato, ganso with 1st grade! |
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| I just love this photo. Poor guy and his broken elbow... |
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| Cat and mouse with 4th grade. |
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| Pato, pato, ganso with my other 2nd grade class. |
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| Who is in the pot? 1st graders again... |
Saturday, October 22, 2011
FIVB Volleyball Club World Championships: Doha 2011
Last week was also a busy time for those who enjoy volleyball. Doha was hosting the FIVB Volleyball Club World Championships for both men and women. It was fun to be able to go watch a few matches. Outisde of the United States, volleyball is quite a big sport. I even learned that it is the national sport of Poland. Go Polska!
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| The end of the match between a team from Turkey and a team from the Dominican Republic. |
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| The team from Turkey won. |
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| The men from Poland playing against a team from Iran. |
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| I went to the matches with my friend Chris and at first we were sitting completely alone and then somehow were surrounded by all the Polish fans. I guess they must have sensed both of our Polish heritage... |
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| The Polish team ended up winning in three games. |
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| They also went on to play in the finals the following weekend. |
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| The Russians and Brazilians playing for 3rd place. |
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| It's a fun, fast paced sport to watch. |
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| My friend Chris was convinced that #8 had played on the U.S. National team years and years ago. Since volleyball is not very big in the United States, many players go to other countries to play full time. |
1st Latin American Cultural Festival
I was so excited when I received this information. However, since it was the fist one, I was a bit skeptical because one never knows how things will turn out in Doha. I was pleasantly proved wrong. This was such an amazing event and Katara and the embassies of Latin American brought some very impressive groups to perform in Doha. I had the pleasure of attending four different events and here is a little peak at what happened throughout the week...
1st Latin American Cultural Festival
October 6-15, 2011
Valley of Cultures
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach
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| This group from Cuba was abosultely amazing. They played some of my favorite songs by Buena Vista Social Club! |
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| This group from the Dominican Republic really brought back memories from Honduras. I was merengued out by the end of the night! |
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| I loved this guys red pants... |
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| Cheo Hurtado from Venezuela. He is one of the most celebrated performers of the cuatro. He also plays the mandolin, bandola and guitar. |
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| There is a large population of Venezuelans in Doha so this group had a nice turn out for their concert. |
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| I had been looking forward to this performance all week. The Tango Metropolis from Argentina did not disappoint. |
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| I was absolutely memorized by this group... |
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| The closing show was Jorge Ben Jor and his group from Brazil. |
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| He is one of the biggest stars of the Brazilian music scene and he was fabulous. |
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| I was not aware of the large Brazilian population in Doha and it was just as much fun watching the crowd as the concert! |
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| Brazil has made it's way to the top of my travel list, but first to learn a bit of Portuguese... |
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| For people who say there is nothing to do in Doha, I beg to differ... |
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