THE PREMIER MAGAZINE FOR FAMILIES IN QATAR
To expat or not Pandemic travel
WHAT NOW?
Doha Family’s guide to sustainability
LIFE A YEAR INTO COVID-19 & LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
SPRING 2021 | ISSUE 17 | BROUGHT TO YOU BY DOHA FAMILY | DOHAFAMILY.COM
Spring 2021 | Issue 17
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Contents
Spring 2021 • DohaFamily.com
LIVING IN DOHA 14 How the Pandemic Affects Expats Covid-19’s effects on health, finances, education, and more 19 Pandemic Travel: Now and the Future Four families’ pandemic travel stories and the future of travel
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38 To Expat or Not: Post-Outbreak Perspectives Expats on pandemic life and the pros and cons of moving
FAMILY MATTERS 23 Parents Put Yourselves First Why prioritising yourself is good for the whole family and how you can get started 28 Pandemic Panic: Helping Your Children Transition Away from the Lockdown The pandemic’s potential impact on kids and what parents can do to help 36 Doha Dad Talks: Living Intentionally A local dad on how being more intentional can help your family stay well during these times 2
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28 14
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HEALTH & WELLNESS 32 The Doha Family Guide to Sustainability Live a life that is good for you and the planet 37 The Doha Family Guide to Buying Local (Plus Recipe) Support Qatar-grown businesses and cook with local produce
IN EVERY ISSUE 7 Quick Directory 8 Editor’s Letter 9 News Bites
Main contributors KIM WYATT is the Doha Family Magazine Food Contributor. A mum, photographer, writer, stylist, and cook, she is passionate about healthy and delicious food for the whole family. Follow her on Instagram at mama_baba_ganoush or on Facebook at Mama Baba Ganoush Community Group.
LISA GAY is a writer from the US who has so far spent over a decade of her life as an expat. She’s lived in Beijing, where she worked as an editor of a parenting magazine. Now a trailing spouse, she has since started a family in Doha.
10 What’s On 11 Ask the Expert 12 Things We Love 13 Book Bites 47 Marketplace
LAURA POWELL-CORBETT is a banker turned writer from England. Besides writing, she loves discovering Doha, meeting new friends, and travelling the world with her three young children in tow.
EMMA MORRELL is a British mum who has lived outside of the UK for over a third of her life. She’s a family travel blogger and expat who is passionate about helping families to travel more adventurously and empowering expat women and families.
Spring 2021 | Issue 17
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ADMISSIONS
OPEN
COVID-SAFE NEW LANDMARK CAMPUS
THE WORLD NEEDS NEW THINKING: WE’RE READY. Our students are empowered with resilience, creativity, self-belief and the skills to thrive in a changing world.
FOR GIRLS AND BOYS AGED 3–18.
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CALL + 974 3026 6800 OR EMAIL DOHA-ADMISSIONS@ACS-SCHOOL.COM TO ORGANISE A PERSONAL TOUR.
Quick Directory
Business Services Future Gate
4467-7801
45
Pets Paws Rescue Qatar
See Ad
47
Children’s Activities The Gymnastics Academy
See Ad
12
Retail Virgin Megastore
4495-9060
27
Catering & Party Services Najla Nabil Photography
See Ad
47
Medical, Wellbeing, Spa ActiPatch Naseem Medical Center
5009-0650 41 3314-3735 3
Nurseries & Kindergartens Carousel Nursery Grandma Nurseries Redwood Montessori Tots Corner Nursery
Schools ACS International School Doha Compass International School International School of London Nord Anglia International School Sherborne Qatar Family of Schools Swiss International School of Qatar
3026-6800 5534-0489 4433-8600 5029-4726 4459-6572 4036-3131
6 48 18 26 34 4
5044-5929 800-2229 7093-9837 4468-8008
Spring 2021 | Issue 17
11 21 46 13
Sports & Active Lifestyle Fame Sports Academy Services De Perle Salon
3104-0405 17,47 See Ad
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Editor’s Letter
W
h en I introduced myself here last spring, I couldn’t have predicted that an outbreak that I vaguely heard about, happening countries away, would colour my journey with you from that point on. As cliché as it sounds, my world has turned inside out, and I’m still trying to make sense of it. I suspect it’s the same for you. But it’s been a year now, and although things still look a bit hazy here and elsewhere, this issue is going to be all about moving forward. We’re going dissect what we’ve learnt and experienced in the past year, and use that to explore what’s next. We’ll break down how the pandemic has impacted expat life (page14) and discuss if getting on that wave is still worth it (page 42). And what about travel? Is it still “in”? Will it change? There’s more on that on page 19. It also seems that the state of the world has got more of us thinking about our values and whether they reflect how we live. On page 40, a Doha dad gets into that, sharing why he now lives more intentionally. For parents who have decided that putting themselves last is not cutting anymore but don’t
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know where to start, we hope that the article on page 23 is inspiring and helpful. And for those who have grown more passionate about the planet and want to do more, pages 32 and 37 will give you the push you need! The potentional after-effects of this pandemic on children has been a hotly-debated topic worldwide, find out what local experts have to say on page 28. I love hearing your comments, suggestions, and pitches, so please keep them coming. You can reach me at editor@dohafamily.com.
Tesneem
Editor Doha Family Magazine
Issue 17 – Spring 2021 DohaFamily.com Founder
Roxanne Davis
Publisher / Managing Director Anas Outa Bashi
Editor
Tesneem Ayoub
Sales & Marketing Nina Hall
Sales Representative Elena Khomenko
Graphic Design:
The HYPE Marketing Solutions For advertising or distribution inquiries, please contact Nina Hall at ads@dohafamily.com. Editorial inquiries, suggestions, and submissions may be addressed to editor@dohafamily.com. Doha Family Magazine is a free magazine published four times a year by Doha Family. It is distributed to over 200 locations throughout Qatar with a circulation of over 20,000 copies. Visit https:// dohafamily.com/distributionlocation/ to find the nearest copy. Doha Family does not endorse or assume responsibility for any information, products, or services mentioned by advertisers or editorial contributors. Reproduction of any element of this publication without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Copyright 2021 by Doha Family. Doha Family Magazine is printed by Ali Bin Ali Printing Press.
ALIF BOOKSTORE, the largest bookshop in Qatar, has opened its showroom near Qatar Sports Club. The vast 4000 square-metre space houses an impressive selection of products to suit individual and business needs, including a wide variety of books, stationery, and art and engineering supplies. For kids, games and educational toys are also available, in addition to dedicated reading and creativity rooms where they can listen to readings and participate in educational activities.
SAINSBURY’S, the popular UK supermarket chain, is expected to open its first stand-alone Qatari branch at Lusail City early next year. This comes as part of the company’s plan to expand its reach in Qatar, following last year’s launch of the country’s first Sainsbury’s shop-in-shop in Al Meera Hypermarket’s Hyatt Plaza Mall branch.
The KARWA TAXI app is now available for download on the Huawei AppGallery following Huawei Consumer Business Group’s partnership with Mowasalat (Karwa). Huawei users will now be able to use the app to book taxi and limousine rides, track their journeys, and make payments.
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CORPORATION (PHCC) has drawn out plans to open four more primary centres across the country, according to Al Raya newspaper. A PHCC insider recently told the Arabic daily that the health centres are set to open in the Khalifa City, Umm Ghuwailina, Bani Hajer, and Al Hilal areas by 2024. The source also revealed that PHCC plans to implement a new system in these health centres by introducing new services and increasing the number of specialised clinics.
QATAR AIRWAYS sets out to become the first Middle Eastern airline to trial the International Air Travel Association’s (IATA) Travel Pass, a “digital passport” app that will be used to verify the Covid-19 testing and vaccination status of travellers. The first phase of the trial is expected to start this spring and will be used for flights on the Doha to Istanbul route.
Spring 2021 | Issue 17
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WHAT’S ON THIS SPRING BROWSE
STARE
STROLL
CHEER
The Torba Farmers Market is back every Saturday, from 8 am to 5 pm, until April. Held at the Ceremonial Court in Education City, this outdoor market is perfect for anyone passionate about sustainability and supporting local businesses. You can shop and have a browse through the locally-grown produce and handmade products, all while learning more about the journey of food from dirt to dinner.
The QAWARIB Qatar International Boat Show is back from 23 March 2021 to 27 March 2021 and will be held in Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. Boat enthusiasts will be delighted at the return of this exhibition that showcases luxury boats and yachts. It will also serve as a networking opportunity for boat and yacht owners, as well as those interested in breaking into the industry. As with previous editions, Porto Arabia residents may get a first-hand look at stunning boat displays on the marina. Call 50348090 or email info@ qatarboatshow.com.qa for more information.
If you’re new to Doha or you’re just in the mood to rediscover the city while the weather is still pleasant, booking a walking tour with 365 Adventures might be the thing for you. Seize the opportunity to explore famous landmarks and attractions like the Doha Corniche, Souq Waqif, Katara, or Msheireb Museums on foot. You can book your chosen tour on its dedicated webpage and call 3339-3323 or email info@365adventures.me to learn more.
The Grand Prix of Qatar 2021 will take place in the Losail Circuit Sports Club from 2 April 2021 to 4 April 2021. The race is going to be the opening event that marks the start of this year’s MotoGP season. For more details, call 44459555 or email info@ lcsc.qa.
farmersmarket. qa
qatarboatshow.com.qa 10
365adventures.me/ what-we-do/tours
circuitlosail.com
RE: Managing all the apps and technology for my child’s learning is overwhelming; how can I get help? The use of technology in schools has made a substantial leap forward, particularly after the onset of the current pandemic. It has changed education as we know it. As a result, parents have become overwhelmed by the number of applications children use for their learning. As technology has become integral to teaching and learning, we must encourage children to use it and help them manage different applications—they may require these skills in their future careers. Here are a few tips to help you manage the learning apps on your child’s device: • List each application’s name using a pen and paper and include all relevant information such as the app’s purpose, the subject, and the teacher who uses it. This will help you keep all the required apps in check. • Once you have made this list, save the apps on Google Chrome/ your iPad to quickly access them. • Arrange the apps in terms of priority and frequency of use. • Make sure you save and store the apps’ usernames and passwords on your computer/iPad for quicker access. • Some apps are designed for communication purposes with the parents and are also used to check or submit assignments. So, spend enough time getting to know each one and play around with them. This will help you feel more confident using them and find the materials your child may need more quickly. • Set up notifications for new assignments so you may gain access to them as soon as they are posted. The list of notifications can also act as a to-do list. Take everything step-by-step and trust the process. New apps are not only frustrating for you but also for your children and their teachers. Yet as time passes, they will become more familiar, and helping your child will become a lot easier. Best regards, Tima Al Zaim Primary Principal, Arab International Academy
Have a question for the experts? Send it to editor@dohafamily.com
Spring 2021 | Issue 17
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Things We Happy As A Mother Happy As A Mother is an internet gold mine for mothers who want an honest space to learn and feel validated about their motherhood journey. The platform is founded by Canada-based registered psychotherapist and maternal mental-health specialist, Erica Djossa. Mrs Djossa draws from her professional insight and personal experiences as a mother to create relatable blog posts, catchy Instagram posters, and podcast episodes with sought-after experts. And no topic is off-limits—from postnatal mental health conditions and mum rage to body image and married life. Mrs Djossa also offers workshops and mentorship programmes to an international audience. Available at happyasamother.co
Hot Chocolate Bombs This is one pandemic food trend we can definitely get behind! Popularised late 2020, the bursting balls of joy were the bit of sweetness we all needed to carry us through the end of a tough year and into the next. All you have to do is pour hot milk over one of these chocolatey orbs and watch them melt, erupting with hot chocolate mix and other additions like marshmallows or crushed-up peppermint sweets. Stir it all together and you’ll have a warm, comforting treat perfect for grown-ups and kids alike. You can buy these bombs at several bakeries and cafes across Qatar, or you can make your own at home. Available at Opéra, Pinna Bakery, Eau De Rose, and others.
7Days Filter Masks by Eten These masks are comfortable at the ears, reusable, fit the face well, and have a removable water-resistant filter. They’re also super budget-friendly and cost QR 15 (at the time of writing) for a packet of seven. They also come in a variety of colours that differ depending on whether you choose the “girl” or “boy” pack (we’re not sure if that’s supposed to mean that they’re for kids, as we’ve seen them fit four adults with different face sizes!). Plus, you can also pick them up during your weekly shop. We’re going to be masking up for a while, so convenient options like these are lifesavers. Available at Lulu Hypermarket. 12
Book Bites
By Athira Santosh, Grade 11 at Birla Public School
Title: The Land of Stories Author: Chris Golfer Genre: Fiction/Adventure/Fantasy The story follows the adventure of twins, Alex and Conner Bailey, who love fairy tales and hold them close to their hearts. For their twelfth birthday, their grandmother gives them a book that has been in the family for a long time—a collection of fairytales called “The Land of Stories”. But as Alex and Conner soon find out, this is no ordinary book! The book takes them to a whole new world, to a land beyond all imaginations, to The Land of Stories. This is the land where characters live lives beyond the happy endings we all know. The twins go through their journey, meeting characters (a lot of whom we’re familiar with) and get their help to finally get back home. The Land of Stories is a book series made up of six books. It is gripping, entertaining, and wonderfully imaginative—a great first book for teens! Spring 2021 | Issue 17
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LIVING IN DOHA
How the Pandemic Affects Expats By Laura Powell-Corbett
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he coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the world, with second and even third waves of infection starting globally. It feels as though the world is a long way from being “normal” once again, and it’s unknown what “normal” will look like when it comes. 14
Then you step outside and look around Qatar, and things look more hopeful. Here, life had slowly started to look like how it once did, with restaurants reopening back in the summer and schools more recently. It feels like we’re living in a bubble away from the horror we see playing out in other countries, including those we once called home. While many of us are thankful to live here safely, our thoughts still turn to those we love living in other countries. Many are currently living through strict national lockdowns. And with international travel still significantly restricted, the chances of a reunion anytime soon are slim. It feels as though we’re living worlds apart from those closest to us.
LIVING IN DOHA
Mental Health Even without a pandemic, expat living is an emotional rollercoaster. Noemi Zaccaria, a writer on InterNations, an online expat forum, puts it perfectly: “Great experiences full of excitement take turns with negative feelings and anxiety-filled moments, especially when facing a brand-new reality for the first time.” She notes that the pressures that come with culture shocks, homesickness, sleep deprivation, and endless paperwork already take their toll on expats’ mental health. Add to this a pandemic and closed borders, and the impact is probably greater than ever. Many expats feel as though they are stranded from their homes of origin and their families living there feel the same way. While expats choose this life knowing that it would separate them from their families, they also knew that the option to jump on a plane was available. This meant that family were often present at all major life events. For instance, having families visit when babies were born or heading home shortly after to introduce them to the new additions were both viable options. So, you never felt too far away. All this changed when only residents could re-enter Qatar, with the added worry for some that returning might not be possible. Sharon, a British expat in Doha, had her second baby during the lockdown. Her family in both countries felt the profound guilt that came from her daughter being unable to meet her extended family. In the end, Sharon and her family in Qatar travelled to the UK at the beginning of December, making it back before the government imposed new quarantine rules. The impact of her trip on her family, both immediate and extended, was immeasurable. Visiting and introducing her baby girl had such a positive impact on Sharon, Spring 2021 | Issue 17
who also said she was thankful to make it back to Doha on time. Despite her gratefulness, Sharon realises that she will not see her family again until the borders reopen.
Separation Across Continents As the pandemic continues, we see an increasing number of families separated internationally as the rules continue to change. Borders are opened then closed, and quarantine measures are applied then removed. With this level of uncertainty over the ability to leave and re-enter Qatar, many of us face difficult travel decisions when critical circumstances arise. There are elderly or unwell relatives that we want to see. Life is short, and for many, the idea of missing the chance to see loved ones before they pass away is unthinkable. But knowing you can visit may not be easy either, as travel stresses can be magnified in this climate. Christine, who headed to Chile to see her very ill parents, needed several documents to enter the country. The stress of obtaining twelve separate pieces of documentation, plus all the emotions that came with travelling, took a major toll on her 15
LIVING IN DOHA
mental health. When she finally arrived in Chile, there were further complications when Chile moved from the Ministry of Public Health’s green list of countries to the red list. This meant that she had to quarantine when she returned to Qatar and spend the holiday season separated from her husband and children. This situation left Christina anxious and with traumatic memories from the trip. It took her two weeks after returning to her family in Doha to start to feel recovered. All of this has left her determined not to travel again during the pandemic. Not only is there the worry of being separated from extended family, but there are also many immediate family members who are now apart. Laura, a British mum of three, has to stay in the UK with her children while her husband starts his new Doha job. She does not know how long they will be apart and longs to start her new life with him in Qatar. Instead, she is in the UK, living out the national lockdown as the sole carer of her three children who just want to see Daddy and don’t understand why they can’t at the moment. Explaining to your children why they cannot get on a plane and visit the ones they love the way they used to every summer is difficult and heartbreaking. For many younger children, video calling is not enough. It doesn’t hold their attention, and they feel frustrated with seeing their relatives on the screen while not being able to touch them. Many expats are worrying about the impact this is having on their children’s relationships with others. 16
Finances We have seen many redundancies being made, both globally and within Qatar, at a time where the job market is not buoyant. The threat of this happening is a massive worry for many families. Losing your job in Qatar is more than just losing your income—for those sponsored by their company, it’s a loss of their whole way of life as they must leave the country. For some, there is also the added complexity of being married to someone of a different nationality while not holding a resident visa for their country. For Lisa, a Swede married to a French national, the main worry is where they will go should they have to leave Qatar. Jackie is a New Zealand national with a British husband and children who has similar concerns. She worries that if her husband loses his job here, she will have to live separately from him and her children. This is because she does not know if she could go to the UK with her family or if they are allowed to enter New Zealand. Plus, like many expats, Jackie and her husband are unsure of when they will see their elderly parents.
Education Ren Wlasiuk (@wellness_with_ren on Instagram) is a life coach who works with teenagers in Qatar and says that many are concerned about their higher education prospects. She says that they are worried about not having university places this year after so many students were displaced in 2020 and exams
LIVING IN DOHA were cancelled. Some are also stuck deliberating between staying in Qatar with their families or leaving for countries like the UK, where it’s unclear if and when in-person courses will resume. This uncertainty, she said, is wreaking havoc on their mental well-being.
Guilt For some, living in Qatar through the pandemic adds a complex layer of guilt. Here, we are safe and can live relatively normal lives. Schools are open for face-to-face learning and people can socialise. Yet, friends and family in other countries are struggling. Sara, a British expat, sees her friends at home suffering mentally and financially as schools and entire job sectors are shut down. She feels guilty that her life here is comparatively normal, and yet, is still very thankful that she is in Qatar right now instead of the UK. Helena, a South African national, feels guilty about the frustration, anger, and misery she feels because of the pandemic. “How dare I feel this way when I am, in fact, privileged to be able to be in this position?” She says.
fortunate she is to be in Doha where the virus is more under control. By practising a positive mindset and daily gratitude, she is finding it easier to cope.
An End in Sight? As we see vaccinations roll out across Qatar and the globe, it feels as though there is light at the end of the tunnel. This potential end in sight and the hope that we will soon reunite with our families overseas makes the wait in the meantime a bit easier. DF
The Flip Side While there are many negative thoughts and feelings about the current climate, one clear theme stands out—many of us are grateful to be in Qatar, despite everything. Shafaq, for instance, has reached a middle ground. She has learnt to appreciate the blessing of living in Qatar while accepting that this does not mitigate the worry she feels about being away from her family. We are all living week to week, knowing that at any time, anything could change. So, Roxy, a mum to two, chooses to focus on the positives and what she can do now over what she can’t. Rather than focusing on the fact she can’t jump on a plane to see her family or hug her dad, she focuses on how Spring 2021 | Issue 17
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LIVING IN DOHA
Pandemic Travel: Now and the Future By Emma Morrell
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he airports are eerily quiet and have been for almost a year. The once crowded arrival and departure halls look almost practically deserted—social media images have been showing silent hallways and duty-free shops with the shutters down. In December, the World Tourist Organisation (UNTWO) said that international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) fell by 72% between January and October 2020. Industry headlines are of struggling businesses and bailouts, with travel pundits endlessly debating the return of any sense of normality and what the future of travel could look like. Meanwhile, the rest of us struggle to see a time when any sort of tourism will become a reality again. Spring 2021 | Issue 17
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LIVING IN DOHA Despite these conversations, some movement across the globe has endured, even if at a lower rate. Worldwide relocations continued, as did many international and domestic trips the world over, for various purposes. But all those trips showed us one thing: Covid-19 travel looks very different from anything we have seen before.
Getting Home Nobody wants to consider this heartbreaking scenario, but many people have to travel for family emergencies. At the beginning of 2020, none of us could have predicted how difficult it would be to cross international boundaries or even step foot on a plane. Now, a year on, everyone knows that leaving our country of residence is a risk that we must carefully weigh against any alternatives. For instance, expats living in Australia and New Zealand have had to face scarce flights and strictly controlled quarantine numbers. As a result, many have found it impossible to get back. The complications of getting home, particularly in a rush, include a lack of flights to the desired destination and strictly enforced quarantine requirements. Tests before departure or on arrival are now routinely required. Christine, a long-term Doha resident, recently travelled to Chile to visit her ailing parents. As she planned her journey, she was confused by the continuously changing (and sometimes contradicting) information. Her flights were changed several times for various reasons, including the change in the Exceptional Entry Permit in November and misinformation about PCR testing requirements. Still, the awareness of these potential pitfalls didn’t stop some families. British mum Sharon travelled to the UK in December with her husband, son, and newborn. “I had to do something as family and friends were starting to distance themselves from us,” she says. Sharon’s experience was more positive than what has been shown on British news 20
media and social media. She was encouraged by the social distancing measures and the way people planned outings to make sure they stuck to the rules. She doesn’t regret the decision to travel but admits her family might have made different choices had they needed to quarantine on either end. Mariam, a British mum, has travelled to the UK from Doha with her family twice since the start of the outbreak, most recently over the winter break. She was impressed with Qatar Airways, who spaced passengers out around the flight and provided face shields for everyone. Halfway through their second trip, Qatar upgraded the UK’s risk level, so they had to scramble to book quarantine rooms in Doha. Still, she remained upbeat about the experience noting that they travelled knowing the risks and that Qatar’s strict measures have kept their numbers down. In fact, she believed that those later restrictions were for the greater good.
Getting Away For many, the advantages of living in Qatar once included extensive travel opportunities, but Covid-19 has stolen this. While friends and families back home have had many domestic and international options open to them throughout the pandemic, we have been much more restricted, internationally and domestically. Qatar’s size means that national tourism is often limited to staycations and desert camping. So, it was with relief for many to receive the news of a “travel bubble” set up between Qatar and the
LIVING IN DOHA Maldives. Under the agreement, Qatar residents could travel to select resorts without quarantine restrictions on arrival or return—a huge draw for people who had been put off by travelling for this reason. Canadian mum of two, Cora, travelled to the Maldives with her husband and two children over the winter. They stayed outside the bubble to enjoy more peace and quiet away from air and sea traffic and experience an authentic desert island atmosphere. Their travel agent provided them with details on which resorts would be open and guidance around Covid-19 protocols. Of course, like everything during these times, it
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wasn’t all plain sailing. Three days before they left, the archipelago was moved to Qatar’s “red” list, requiring a one-week stay in hotel quarantine on their return. As the family was eligible for home quarantine due to a medical exemption, they went ahead with their plans, including getting their Covid-19 test two days before travelling. Cora reported the travel experience to be more intense. Check-in for Maldives flights now closes two hours before departure, which means arriving at the airport three hours before travel. Even with the advantage of Al Maha services, there is little spare time after all the documentation checks. But like Mariam, Cora was overall impressed with Hamad International’s response and Qatar Airways’ extra measures. However, she was confused when the bubble and non-bubble travellers were on the same flight. Once at the resort, Cora and her family were happy with their decision. The Maldives offers natural social distancing, given its outdoor nature. Their rooms were also independent, having separate HVAC systems. Restaurants and most leisure activities are outside, and indoor areas like the gym required reservation time slots and had a onefamily limit. Other safety measures included daily temperature checks, masked and pre-quarantined staff, and constant cleaning and sanitising. So, what are Cora’s overall thoughts on the trip? “We had a great time. It was just what we needed after a hectic 2020. The staff were happy and relieved to be working again and it felt good to be supporting a heavily tourism-based economy,” she says. Still, not everyone left the country to scratch their wanderlust itch. With the wide range of hotels and staycation offers available in Qatar, many have opted to stay and take advantage. Pool and beach visits are not confined to time slots like some countries, and the proximity to a range of top-end restaurants has proven enough for some.
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Getting Back
Future travel
Regardless of the reason for travel, returning has proven to be the hardest aspect. Travellers have had to grapple with uncertainties over border restrictions changing while away, understanding the paperwork and conditions required to re-enter the country, and gaining permission to return. Some families were left stranded, while others have been separated for months. Christine considered her return nothing short of harrowing. “I had to change my ticket three times, paying fees each time even though the airline claims they don’t charge them,” she says. She took two PCR tests before travelling to ensure she got the results in time and, before boarding, consented to another test on arrival. She had to carry considerable documentation including an Exceptional Entry Permit (this is much more straightforward now that it is automatic). “I had to book into quarantine because Chile was declared high risk 14 days into my trip. There wasn’t immediate availability so I had to wait,” she recalls. Christine also discovered that the last country of transit was the one considered for quarantine restrictions. Unable to fly direct, she transited through Brazil, a high-risk country. The entire ordeal left Christine separated from her family for weeks and too traumatised to travel again during the pandemic. While Cora and her family had a much more straightforward experience, they also had problems. Despite bringing extensive documentation for her husband’s medical condition, they were almost denied boarding for having no quarantine reservations. Luckily, two lastminute quarantine rooms were available through Discover Qatar. Then, at Hamad International, a duty doctor confirmed their eligibility for home quarantine. A week later, they received a refund from Discover Qatar, minus some non-refundable administrative and transportation fees. Sharon and Mariam, on the other hand, had slow but overall positive experiences returning to Qatar.
What future travel will look like has been widely debated. The idea of travel corridors and bubbles is popular but fraught with problems as planned agreements may be abandoned at the last minute due to unexpected case increases in one of the countries. Another challenge is that quarantine requirements at home or in hotels vary in length depending on the country of origin and destination. On the other hand, pre and post-travel PCR testing has become the norm (though, unfortunately, as has a rise in falsified documentation). Plus, “digital passports” are being trialled by Singapore Airlines (and soon, Qatar Airways) under the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) watchful eye. Qatar Airways has introduced cleaning robots, and in-house precautions (mandatory masks, constant sanitising, and social distancing) on planes and in hotels are implemented worldwide. These measures could pave the way for safer future travel. But it is unclear how consumers will change the way they travel. Many analysts are hoping for an overall change in approach, as travellers increasingly appreciate slower, more mindful travel. A growing number are focusing on more time in fewer countries to get to know destinations better. While Christine, Cora, Mariam, and Sharon had very different experiences, each cautions against bureaucratic requirements that could vary wildly from country to country, misinformed airline and airport staff, and ever-changing border restrictions. There is no easy way to travel during this time. And despite advances with vaccination programmes, contact tracing, and digital documentation, countries remain nervous about opening up again. Whether or not travel will ever return to normal remains to be seen. Overall, in the medium term, experts agree that travel has to be a different experience to the one have been used to. DF
FAMILY LIVING MATTERS IN DOHA
Parents Put Yourselves First By Laura Powell-Corbett
P
utting yourself first doesn’t always come naturally, especially to parents. With the chaos of an ongoing pandemic, homeschooling, working from home, and life in general, it would be no surprise if you’ve slipped further away from the top of your list. As parents, we have become so adept at juggling all the things while keeping a smile Spring 2021 | Issue 17
on our faces, even while knowing that what usually gives first is our sanity. As the old saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. Besides, our wellbeing directly impacts our children’s, so recognising when things are not sustainable, reaching out for help early on, and resetting are essential. So, here are a few ways you can put yourself first.
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FAMILY MATTERS
Practise Self-Care Self-care often gets a bad rep as an indulgent, behaviour-excusing activity. But it is so much more than face masks and bath bombs. The beauty of self-care is that it is personal to you. Having a hot cup of tea in the kitchen away from the screaming children might be enough to reset some parents. Others may need more. And that’s okay—everyone is different, and it stands to reason that their self-care needs would reflect that.
You Need Sleep It’s no secret that sleep is seen as a luxury for parents the world over, and it’s so unfortunate. Sleep is critical to people’s health and overall well-being. Yet, it is overlooked as something that is crucial for parents to work on. Whether it is your sleep or our children’s sleep, you cannot underestimate the impact of getting enough of it. Anneka, a Qatar-based sleep consultant, says that in many cases, parents feel guilty about wanting a good night’s sleep. So, it comes as no surprise when she shares that many secretly fantasise about life pre-children and those golden hours they used to get. The guilt is then exacerbated when friends, family, and even paediatricians assure parents that not only is their sleep deprivation normal, but that they should also avoid having “unrealistic” expectations around sleep. Parents are often reluctant to reach out for help, yet they would take their child to a doctor if they were ill. The stigma around sleep consultants lives on, but it shouldn’t. Laura, a mum to three boys, recently worked with Anneka when her youngest son refused to sleep through the night, reluctant to “sleep train”. With Anneka, she learnt that sleep training is about so much more than sleep itself. It’s about having the energy to show up for your equally happy and 24
well-rested children every single day. It’s also about being able to focus on your work, head out for a long-overdue date night with your spouse, or have your evenings free for quality time with them at home or by yourself. It can even be about enjoying your role as a mum or dad and looking forward to being together as a family, minus the bedtime battles. It’s okay to accept external help to improve your quality of life. By hiring a sleep consultant, Laura has found that her life has improved by giving her more time back—a result she did not expect.
Fuel for Success Many parents find themselves worrying about what their children are eating. Creating the right balance of nutrients and food that they will actually eat is a juggling act in itself. Emma, a mum to two, has found herself continually walking this tightrope since her daughter was born. Unlike her older son, who would eat anything, her daughter was the fussiest of eaters and had a limited beige diet. Emma found that she was spending all her energy trying to persuade her daughter to eat while she ran on empty. She was often so busy battling that she would forget to eat breakfast and lunch. After weeks of lethargy and irritability, she looked back and realised that she was not fuelling herself or thinking about the nutrients she put in her own body, the way she did with her children. Overhauling her diet meant that she made the time each day for
FAMILY MATTERS
Socialise
breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Her energy improved along with her relationship with food. The battle with her daughter may rage on, but now, she’s modelling her own healthier behaviours. Plus, she’s had smaller victories with getting her daughter try new foods—an unexpected bonus from taking time out to look after herself.
Strong Body, Strong Mind A positive mindset can be difficult to obtain. The stresses and impact of everyday life can get in the way, leaving you feeling less optimistic about the time you have to care for yourself. Paul, a dad to three young children, finds that taking some time out of his day to exercise helps clear his mind and prepares him for the fracas of family life. His activities of choice include short jogs, swims, and circuit classes. Jaclyn, a personal trainer, agrees with Paul’s approach. She recommends adopting an active lifestyle to benefit your mind and body. Jaclyn finds that parents are often reluctant to step away from family life due to guilt. She also finds that they worry that it is might be selfish for them to take an hour for themselves. Despite this, her clients report that taking the time to get active makes them more engaged with their families.
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Humans are, by nature, social creatures. We crave interaction with others, no matter how introverted we are. With Qatar slowly opening up again, the latest coffee shops, ice cream bars, and restaurants are all available to help honour that need. Elisa is a mum to two young children who works part-time. She finds that the social fulfilment from leaving her house and meeting with others helps her stay positive. If you work from home or are otherwise restricted in your movements, these meetings can be a lifeline. And this is true even if you feel guilty about them because you are worried that your time with your kids is already limited. But when you consider your social needs, you end up in a better frame of mind and with a more fulfilling relationship with your children as a result.
Mental Health Matters For many, anxiety levels shot up when the pandemic hit, and for some, even more so. Sharon, a mum of two, was pregnant during the pandemic and gave birth when cases were at their peak. Worries about the continually evolving situation and the fate of the
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FAMILY MATTERS plans she originally made had overwhelmed her. That, plus the stress of not being able to be with the family members who supported her when her first child was born led her to dark days and even darker nights. The feeling that she was the worst person on the planet was hard to shake. Fortunately, Sharon reached out for help. After a long mental and physical struggle, she safely delivered her baby girl last September. Her journey is far from over, but she shares her story to help others know they are not alone and that help is out there. And it is.
The Bottom Line You are a priority, and you deserve to live a life that affirms that. And you can do that by carving out time for bubble baths or getting practical help with sleep, cleaning, or exercise—whatever works for you. There is no shame in saying yes to helping yourself or getting others to help you. And when you’re in top condition, you can pass that message on to other parents as well so they can put themselves first. After all, you really can’t pour from an empty cup. DF
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FAMILY MATTERS
Pandemic Panic: Helping Your Children Transition Away from the Lockdown By Lisa Gay
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FAMILY MATTERS
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t’s been over a year since Covid-19 spread across the globe, and it has changed nearly every aspect of our daily lives. While it’s unclear what “back to normal” means yet, the relaxation of restrictions from the beginning of the outbreak has put some semblance of normality back into our lives. Still, children—the age group least affected by the disease—have been negatively impacted by the changes caused by the pandemic. Social distancing (literally) puts friends at arm’s length, masks cover up their facial cues, and lockdowns thrust them into social isolation. Naturally, parents are worried that these experiences may permanently affect their children’s moods and social skills. But to what extent is this true, and how can parents help? Local mental-health experts weigh in with their perspectives.
The Decline of Social Skills? “Social skills have absolutely been impacted,” says neuro-psychiatrist Dr Madhu Pawha of Dr Madhu’s Clinic. “You need to learn social cues, body language and poses, and hand gestures.” However, Dr Pawha is optimistic that children will acquire these skills quickly as we move into normality. “Children pick things up very fast,” she reassures us, “these are not irreversible changes.” A lot of information is communicated through facial expressions, but mask-wearing can hide much of the face. “Children may feel isolated if they cannot see the positive smiles of caregivers,” says Dr Ahsan Nazeer, Division Chief of Child and Adolescent Mental Health at Sidra Medicine. Despite this, Dr Nazeer is adamant that, mask or not, children can still accurately recognise the emotional states of those wearing them. Spring 2021 | Issue 17
Furthermore, he says that it’s entirely possible that mask-wearing will help children become better verbal communicators and encourage them to make more eye-contact to compensate for the lack of facial cues.
Socialising Through the Screen “I see children—both in the clinic and in daily life—who are not motivated to go to school, don’t have a lot of fun, they can’t play, and can’t clearly express their feelings or are unable to talk about [their emotions],” says Dr Rasha Abdelbary Zaki, a psychiatrist at Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Clinic. Children have a strong urge to interact with their own peer group. So, parents should not expect to fulfil their children’s social needs during periods of isolation. Even if they can’t physically meet with friends, kids can still keep in touch with their classmates digitally. Try to gently encourage your children to chat with their friends online, play virtual games, or engage in safe, fun challenges with their classmates. 29
FAMILY MATTERS Although our generation values in-person social interactions over virtual ones, that’s not necessarily the case for our children, especially as time goes on. And according to Dr Pawha, for particularly vulnerable children suffering from social anxiety, meeting in a virtual space is a very effective strategy. It creates an environment that feels safer for them and gives them a better sense of control over social interactions. From a parent’s point-of-view, of course, too much screen time is an issue, but connecting with friends is critical as we wait for restrictions to end. In time, children will meet their friends in real life, attend parties, and do indoor activities. But for the moment, it’s essential to maintain social connections with friends through the means available.
Dealing with Demotivation “Children are more active than adults, so the lockdown can affect them more,” cautions Dr Zaki. Their self-esteem and confidence in their abilities may have dropped because their usual activities have been cancelled. Dr Zaki also points out that some children may feel embarrassed because they
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gained weight during the lockdown. This could further isolate them from re-engaging with activities they previously loved doing. It’s important to motivate children to keep up with their skills or even update them using the virtual tools at their disposal. There are plenty of online classes available, and many are free or are very affordable. Outdoor spaces at public parks usually remain open to children except under strict lockdowns, so take advantage of those areas as well. Also, don’t forget to frequently praise your kids and remind them just how amazing they are. Unfortunately, they just aren’t hearing those words of encouragement as much lately.
Getting Out and About “Recognise which activities your child enjoys doing and set up playdates with other children that have similar interests,” suggests Dr Mohamed Al Breiki, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at Sidra Medicine. “One-on-one interactions as a start will be easier for a child to handle and similar interests will keep both entertained.” If these go well, parents can start arranging playdates for multiple children.
FAMILY MATTERS If your child is hesitating over joining an upcoming event like the start of in-person school or a big social outing, help them get ready by roleplaying. Present a social situation and guide them through what they will do in response. This will help them feel prepared. But don’t push them into uncomfortable social situations too quickly, cautions Dr Al Breiki. Start small to build up their confidence.
Fight the Fear Many children experience anxiety over Covid. They may fear getting sick or passing the illness onto loved ones. It’s essential for parents to counteract these fears with scientifically based information, advises Dr Pawha. “It doesn’t mean they don’t have to take precautionary measures, but the fear should be put to rest with the right kind of information.” Dr Zaki agrees: “Parents must reassure their child [about Covid]...if parents are alarmed, then children start to absorb that alarm.” She warns that worries about Covid can even develop into OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), as trauma is known to trigger the condition. Parents should also note whether their child is excessively washing their hands or constantly using hand sanitiser. Additionally, they should try to alleviate their fears with correct, evidence-based information. “Reassure and even challenge them,” says Dr Zaki. One helpful strategy could be using timers to limit behaviours like excessive handwashing.
they had as teenagers. This opens an avenue of dialogue and helps their teens understand that the path towards their hopes and dreams is not always straightforward, but it is still available to them with a bit of creativity and a lot of persistence. In fact, this is something we all need to remember and model for our families.
When to Seek Help Ask yourself whether your child is naturally shy or whether the lockdown has caused an abnormal change. The latter could be a cause for concern. Some changes could signal a child who needs medical attention—newly-developed social anxieties, phobias, and depression should be addressed by mental health professionals. “We do not yet fully understand the pandemic’s long-term mental health effects on children,” says Dr Nazeer. But parents can treat this period as an opportunity to address their child’s social-emotional needs and continue to support a healthy path of development. So, don’t let this moment pass, as it won’t be long until we are thrust back in the hurlyburly of daily life. DF
Dare to Dream Teenagers have a broader perspective than younger children and know that they are losing out on typical life experiences. Still, they may not understand that these restrictions are only temporary and that they will emerge from these challenging times. Parents need to acknowledge losses because they are real and do hurt. At the same time, teens need to be reminded that better times are ahead. Dr Zaki recommends that parents share the dreams Spring 2021 | Issue 17
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
The Doha Family Guide to Sustainable Living By Kim Wyatt
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ore and more people are thinking about our planet’s future and making sustainable changes to their lifestyles. As consumers, everything we do impacts our environment, from the clothes we wear to the food we buy. But how can we change our daily habits to create more sustainable lifestyles and save our planet? A big myth is that you need to completely overhaul your whole lifestyle, but that is not the case!
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Change takes time, but with a few steps, you can start creating a positive impact. As the green movement becomes more popular here in Qatar, an increasing number of eco-friendly services, options, and products have become readily available. If you’re looking to make a change but feel a little overwhelmed, we’ve compiled a list of simple but effective solutions to get you started.
1. DITCH SINGLE-USE PLASTIC By 2050, the planet’s oceans could contain more plastic than fish, according to a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. In Qatar, several environmental action groups clean up beaches from single-use plastic items, including water
HEALTH & WELLNESS bottles, face masks, and shopping bags. University student, Rawa Adel, from the College of North Atlantic, recently joined a beach clean-up at Al Zubara. She says: “Initially, I was in shock about the amount of plastic that quite literally covered the beach shore, but with the great work of volunteers, we managed to collect 3000 kilograms of garbage bags.” So, how has Rawa ditched single-use plastic? “In the beginning, I changed from plastic straws to metal straws. Then I swapped from plastic bottles to more sustainable options such as metal and glass,” she says. Rawa strongly believes that even if we can’t change the world, we can all take steps to change our behaviours.
ACTION STEPS:
• Use eco-friendly products such as cloth or canvas bags for shopping. Supermarkets such as Carrefour, Monoprix, and Al Meera stock a range of reusable large and small bags for fruit and vegetables. • Switch to reusable water bottles and coffee cups. These are available at supermarkets and coffee outlets such as Starbucks. • Buy washable fabric face masks made from recyclable materials. You can find those at Virgin Megastores and Marks and Spencer. • Make your own fabric face masks from recycled materials.
you can find at Torba include locally-grown and farm-fresh produce, artisan food, and gardening and landscaping tools. Torba also provides catering services and has spearheaded community development and sustainability initiatives. “We see ourselves as a gateway towards sustainability and living more mindfully. All our projects are informed by a desire for individuals and groups to be aware of their impact on the environment,” she says. By buying homegrown fruit, veggies, and herbs, you’ll be helping to stimulate the local economy by keeping farms and their workers employed. As a bonus, locally produced food is fresher, retains more nutrients, and tastes better too!
ACTION STEPS: • Look for locally grown products in supermarkets with the “Made in Qatar” logo. • Visit farmers’ markets throughout Doha such as Al Wakrah, Al Mazrouah, and Al Shamal. For details visit the Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s Instagram page @Albaladiya. • Check out the weekly Torba Farmers Market at the Ceremonial Court in Education City. You can also find information through their Instagram account @farmersmarketqa.
2. BUY LOCAL PRODUCE Buying local produce is better for the environment because it cuts down carbon emissions from international transportation. The main concept behind Qatar’s popular Torba markets, says founder Fatma Al Khater, is “to provide products and services that are grounded in the principles of sustainability and community enrichment”. Products Spring 2021 | Issue 17
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3. REDUCE FOOD WASTE
ACTION STEPS: •O rganise clothes swaps or donate used items
Food wastage is one of the most significant environmental issues on the planet. In landfills, gas emissions from rotting food destroy the earth’s protective ozone layer. A simple method to combat daily food waste at home is to make compost. It’s a great way to turn food scraps into an organic fertiliser full of nutrients for your indoor and outdoor plants. Plus, it’s free! Also, try organising daily and weekly menus to reduce food wastage at mealtimes.
• Recycle plastic bottles, cans, and batteries at
ACTION STEPS: • Make a weekly food shopping list to reduce buying.
• Start home composting. • Freeze leftover food in containers marked with the date and contents.
• Search online for new and creative recipes to use leftovers.
• Adequately store fresh fruit and vegetables for maximum freshness.
4. REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE The three Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) are essential for a sustainable lifestyle. Recycling is the perfect way to give new life to old items such as clothing, paper, furniture, cans, and batteries. The benefits of recycling include reducing the waste sent to landfills, conserving natural resources, and reducing pollution. With an increasing awareness of recycling’s benefits, more companies in Qatar are offering services and solutions to combat consumer wastage.
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to registered charities such as Qatar Charity. selected Al Meera stores.
• Donate used paper products to Elite Paper Recycling (Instagram: @eprqatar).
• Sign up for a recycling subscription plan with Seashore Recycling (Instagram: @seashorerecycling).
5. HOME GARDENING Gardening has become the pandemic hobby of choice, and it’s not difficult to see why. Numerous studies have shown benefits ranging from better mental and physical health to removing toxic chemicals from the air. Outdoor gardening also encourages local biodiversity, such as bees and birds. For Qatar home gardener, Simi Paul, growing at home has become a passion. “It’s the perfect way to get rid of stress and lead a happy and productive life!” She says. Simi considers gardening to be “a lot of fun”, and according to her, you can grow many plants in Qatar, especially during the cooler months. “You can grow fresh, chemicalfree vegetables or flowering plants such as bougainvillaea,” she says. But that doesn’t mean that the hottest months are off-limits either: “Even during the extreme summer season, you can grow plants. I have a collection of plants that have survived the climate for over 15 years!”
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HEALTH & WELLNESS ACTION STEPS: • If you’re new to gardening, start with easy to grow plants. Go to your local plant store for advice. • Visit the Plant Souq located off Haloul Street for various plants, seeds, and accessories, or visit the gardening section in Carrefour. • Install a feeder or place a container of seeds to attract birds and encourage local biodiversity. You can find those at the pet section in Carrefour. • Get the kids involved! It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about the plant lifecycle and how to care for the environment.
6. USE ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS Did you know that a simple household item such as a plastic toothbrush can take hundreds of years to decompose? Or, that cotton buds can pollute the marine environment? Fortunately, sustainable household items are becoming more popular, and the good news is that more of those products are becoming available in Qatar. Eco-friendly items are made from biodegradable or recycled material, reducing their negative impact on the environment. Look out for items such as earth-friendly bamboo toothbrushes, home cleaning products made with organic materials, biodegradable cotton buds and makeup remover pads, and package-free bar soaps and shampoos.
ACTION STEPS • Visit the Torba markets for •
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handmade and environmentallyfriendly skincare products. Shop at Monoprix for biodegradable cotton buds, facial pads, bamboo toothbrushes, and green beauty products from recyclable materials. You can also find eco-friendly cleaning products in the main supermarkets.
GREENER FUTURE’S TOP TIPS Aisha Al Maadeed (@greener.qa on Instagram) is the founder of Greener Future, a Qatari initiative that encourages awareness about eco-friendly choices. Here are Aisha’s top tips for creating a greener lifestyle:
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Reduce power wastage by switching off unnecessary lights and reduce water usage. 2. Reduce fast fashion (most clothes from high street stores) and purchase pre-loved items. 3. Replace chemical cleaners with natural and organic products. 4. Purchase products made with recycled packaging. 5. Use less paper. DF
HEALTH & WELLNESS
The Doha Family
Guide to Buying Local
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By Kim Wyatt
quick look in any supermarket and we can see that most of the food is imported. From dragon fruit grown in Vietnam to celery harvested in Holland, our food has travelled many miles to reach our dining table.
As consumers, we’re spoilt for choice with a vast array of exotic fruits and vegetables at our fingertips. But what impact does this have on the planet? Past research has shown that imported food from international transportation contributes to global warming and other environmental issues. So, the question is: as consumers, how can we make more informed, environmentally-friendly choices? One of the easiest ways to do this is by buying local food. By choosing produce grown in Qatar, you’re helping reduce carbon emissions from transportation, including aeroplanes, trucks, and vans. Over the past few years, Qatar has seen a boom in agricultural production. A whole range of delicious, fresh produce is now available in local farmers’ markets, supermarkets, and online food delivery platforms. Despite the harsh arid climate, Qatar is now offering fresh produce
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most of the year. From herbs and veggies to honey and eggs, there’s something for everyone. And without a doubt, one of the most popular food items is tomatoes. Grown on the vine, hydroponically, or in soil, it seems that we’re a nation of tomato lovers. Now that the local growing season is in full swing, homegrown tomatoes are abundant, cheap, and cheerful. As well as being one of the most versatile fruits on the planet (yes it’s a fruit!), tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene (an antioxidant), vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. With all these benefits, it only makes sense to whip up a delicious recipe with local tomatoes. You’ll be protecting the planet, supporting local farmers, and feeding the family. What’s not to love?
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
SIMPLE TOMATO AND BASIL SAUCE This versatile sauce recipe is sure to tickle the taste buds. It is easy to prepare and can be used in a variety of family favourites, including pizza and pasta. The key is to use very ripe tomatoes to boost the flavour and give you a rich sauce. You can also add other veggies such as chopped carrot, pepper, and courgette as a tasty way to add more nutrients. It’s also a great way to use up tired-looking tomatoes instead of throwing them into the trash—a perfect way to reduce food wastage and repurpose your produce into something new. Win-win!
INGREDIENTS • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, finely chopped • 1 clove garlic, minced chopped • 2 kilos fresh tomato, core removed and if preferred) • 1 tbsp brown sugar (or white sugar • 1 tsp salt • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, shredded
METHOD
over medium heat. 1. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan slucent. 2. Add onion and gently cook until tran rant. 3. Add garlic and fry gently until frag Bring to a boil. salt. and l, basi r, 4. Add tomatoes, suga sionally, 5. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occa to 2 hours. DF 1 ely mat roxi app until sauce thickens—
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FAMILY MATTERS
Doha Dad Talks: Living Intentionally
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here is always a light at the end of every tunnel, even if there is an awful lot of tunnel left. Our daily lives have turned upside down during this pandemic, and life may not be transitioning back to our pre-conceived idea of normal anytime soon. However, as families living with the reality of Covid-19, we can build more intentional lives during this trying time. As we partake in activities outside our social bubbles, we may be feeling a range of emotions. By being intentional about how we integrate with the public, we shall feel empowered and give our children a sense of security. But to do this, each family member needs guidance to ease the anxiety, find flow, and have clearer intentions as we move through this transition. Now more than ever, as parents, we are the centre of our children’s world. So, we must stay grounded and keep taking care of ourselves for our children to feel secure and confident during this uncertain time. This is because the stability we provide in 40
By Precioso L. Tano, PhD our homes makes them feel safe as they venture out into public places. And this does not have to be hard—getting quality sleep every night, eating nourishing meals, or even taking solo walks around the block are all practices that help. The more we take care of ourselves, the better we can parent our children. Remember, self-care gives us more energy and helps us regulate our own emotions with more ease, creating a more stable emotional environment for our families. Furthermore, instead of slipping back into our same lives before Covid-19, let us also be intentional about how we want to build our lives moving forward. We have to reflect on the time we have spent with our families in lockdown.
FAMILY MATTERS Though there have been plenty of challenges, there have likely been a few positives as well. Maybe we have enjoyed having less social commitments on our calendars, making room for more spontaneity with our families. Perhaps we have enjoyed working from home because it increases our time with them. So as we add activities to our schedules, let us consider each one carefully. Let us ask if they really “light us up”—we must not be on autopilot. So let us be intentional, this is our opportunity to edge closer to our ideal family lives. The pandemic has also shone a light on areas that have needed attention. Now is also a good time to re-assess our values and our “must-haves” and take steps—big or small—towards making changes. Honouring the challenges that we have right now is an opportunity for personal growth that can lead to more fulfilling lives for us all. So, let us focus on bringing back the essential things into our lives that will help us move forward, while still being intentional about curating our lives. Let us live with our eyes wide open. And if our children are mature enough to understand, they will also love being part of this process. Their honesty, wisdom, and insight may become key factors in building our improved family lives. DF
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LIVING IN DOHA
To Expat or Not: Post-Outbreak Perspectives By Emma Morrell
*Some names have been changed
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as the Covid-19 outbreak changed how you feel about expat life? Have you felt the pull of home more than ever before, missing loved ones or craving familiar landscapes or traditions? Or have you never been more grateful to live where you do, feeling safer than you could imagine feeling at home? Maybe you feel marooned in a host country that feels alien to you but cannot escape (or, critically, return). Perhaps the pandemic has inspired you to make the move you were always too scared to make before.
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However you feel now, and however you have felt in the past about expat life, anyone living abroad can tell you that the importance of travel is more than just general wanderlust. Rather than a luxury enjoyed by people wanting to go on holiday, it is necessary for these circumstances. It is the thing that we rely on to get us home to see friends and family. But the closed borders and sometimes strict and costly quarantine requirements have meant that travelling home has become a scarcity and a logistical nightmare that no one anticipated. Yet, there have been a variety of responses among expats across the world, depending on where they live and their personal circumstances.
I Want to Go Home! For many expats, the pandemic has created feelings of isolation that has likely been enhanced by the difficulty (or impossibility) of visiting family and friends. For some, it has also made international
LIVING IN DOHA postings much less attractive than they once were. They have felt stranded from (even abandoned by) their countries of origin. Natasha is one of those people. Although she was happy with her life in Doha, being an only child with ageing parents in New York made her reconsider it. So, she and her husband decided to move their family back to the United States to restore that geographical closeness they use to enjoy before they moved away. These days, Natasha says that she and her family are careful about maintaining the social distancing and mask-wearing practices they had grown used to in Qatar, given the scale of the pandemic in the US. Still, their outlook is positive: “We are able to look forward to a more conventional relationship between parents and children, as well as grandparents and grandchildren.” Plus, Natasha says that there’s the “added bonus” that she and her children also live closer to her siblings and their children. She is not alone. Desperate to get home and reunite with their families, a growing number of expats are making the difficult decision to move away from the lives that have become familiar to them. They believe that the longer the pandemic-related travel restrictions continue, the harder it is to justify the large distances and stretches of time away from their families.
I Never Want to Move Home! Other people have had an almost opposite reaction. For them, seeing how their host country has responded to the crisis versus how their home country has categorically changed how they feel about what they once considered a temporary home. Many of these people used to treat expat life as a stepping stone. It was a means to increase their earning potential for a long-enough time to save up for a house, make retirement plans, or create a nest egg. They approached their expat assignment with the ultimate aim of repatriating as quickly as possible, but Covid-19 changed that. Anna, a British national, and her Brazilian husband Lucas have had very similar feelings about their very different countries of origin. Scared by the
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rates of infection and fatalities in Europe and South America, they say they are horrified with how their governments and fellow citizens have been acting during the pandemic. “We feel so safe here,” reveals Anna, who had only lived in Doha for six months before Covid-19 struck. “We miss our families dreadfully, but you can’t ignore the relative freedom that we have here compared to what we are seeing in almost every other country in the world, and certainly the ones we are from!” She says. Anna recalls how she and Lucas were nervous about moving for their first international role, especially during the strict initial days of lockdown. But now, she believes that those early hardships were worth it.
I Want to Seize the Day! Of course, there is a third group of people: future expats who still live in their home countries but want to make their first move. This group of people has decided that life is too short to wait for the time to be right. And indeed, some have taken the plunge, even in the middle of a pandemic. As all seasoned expats will know, moving internationally is no joke, so making that move during a pandemic must be nothing short of chaotic! While many people have repatriated in the last 12 months and fresh expats have become something of a rarity, new assignments are still coming up all the time. Expat Facebook groups are still full of questions about packing companies, schooling options, and places to live in various locations. Amit and his wife Anjali are in the middle of planning their first move to Doha from Delhi. They had been informally looking for jobs for over a year before the pandemic started, but their search became more urgent when they realised that they wanted an
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LIVING IN DOHA escape from India. “We started to feel trapped in our old life,” confesses Amit. “We knew we needed a change, an adventure. Of course, now is not the best time to be moving and 2020 was not the best time to be looking for new jobs, but we ended up getting lucky. We want to start a family soon and this is the best way for us to get ahead financially and give our children a better chance in life,” he adds. Having lived in ten countries, Mariam knows only too well what it is like to move around a lot. A Pakistani expat, she is married to a German-Italian, and their two children were each born 3,000 miles apart. Their last move from Ghana to Portugal in the summer of 2020 was fraught with difficulties, including a highrisk pregnancy. Yet, Mariam is refreshingly upbeat: “It was the hardest move we have ever done but I don’t regret it for a minute. We loved Accra when we were there and now we love Lisbon. Sometimes you just have to seize the day.”
What is Moving in a Pandemic Like? Mariam’s experience was one of the more dramatic ones. She and her family encountered, among other things, visa issues and several cancelled flights out of Ghana. In the end, they boarded an evacuation flight for Italian nationals, the only nationality all four shared. They flew to Germany via Italy, where they were unable to stop and visit family. Five flights later, they were in Portugal on a recce when Mariam went into pre-term labour. Their third child was born prematurely in Portugal, a country whose language none of them spoke. Thankfully, he is now thriving in their new house with his two siblings. Keri, who moved from Singapore to Doha in December, had an easier ride than Mariam, but it was by no means straightforward. Getting a visa for her husband took almost a month back in October. When it finally arrived, he was on a plane just days later. The idea was that she would follow with their three children two months later, but no one knew if their visas would be issued on time or not.
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Undeterred, she packed up the house and hoped for the best—and she was rewarded for her optimism and perseverance. Although Keri is relieved to have successfully reunited her family, she says that being the “new girl” has been harder this time than on previous assignments. “As a working mum, I’m finding it hard to balance work and homeschooling. Meeting people is difficult because we all have kids in school on different days and lots of people work. Expat life can be really lonely,” she says. Of course, international moves are not the only relocations happening. With changes in everything from housing allowances to working from home requirements, many people are moving within Doha to meet their changing family dynamics, needs, and budgets. Suddenly, extra rooms are needed as home offices, and dining tables must have enough room for multiple homeschooling lessons. Now, guaranteed WiFi bandwidth is certainly nonnegotiable! Decent outdoor areas are essential for spirited kids to burn off energy while allowing for social distancing, but residents are also looking for adequate indoor space to get through the hot summer months. When
LIVING IN DOHA it comes to the physical act of moving, in the peak of lockdown, it can be a logistical nightmare. While shipments could theoretically arrive, it was the port workers, packers, and unpackers who struggled to navigate social distancing rules while fulfilling their jobs. This reportedly left hundreds of families without their possessions.
Should I Stay, Should I Go? One thing that can always be said about expat life is that the dynamics are ever-changing. Even before
Spring 2021 | Issue 17
Covid-19, personal circumstances could change in an instant, and suddenly, a new lens would be forced onto an old way of living, changing perspectives forever. What works for one family may not work for another— this has never been truer than in the past twelve months. Everyone’s situations are so different, from their backgrounds and family circumstances to their length of expat experience and individual needs. One thing to hold onto is the knowledge that there is no right or wrong decision, during a pandemic or otherwise. Rather, the “right” decision is the one that suits you and your family. DF
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Spring 2021 | Issue 17
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