Woman Today February 2011

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contents 31

february 2011

This year for Valentine’s Day we ...

Spread the Love

34

32

It Feels Good to Give!

Cultivating Compassion

Acts of kindness and compassion are also acts of courage.

Is altruism a selfish act that benefits the actor?

37

Hands in need

Organisations in Qatar that help the needy.

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worLdwidewomen

51 around town

en route to a p paradi Se

46 heaLth & FitneSS

Woman Today explores pearl-Qa earl-QaTTar earl-QaT ar wiTh 45 Vip ip laDies from The francophone rancophone laDies associa ssocia ion. ssociaT

Chew on thiS

slow Down anD chew your fooD says nicole Van haTT a em. aTT

28 YounG & happeninG

the ‘SpeCiaL’ L SmeLL L’ oF SuCCeSS There are Three meDals clinking arounD faT a ima hassan abDullah’s neck, meDals aT ThaT haT noT only conVey her TriumphanT haT memories on The fielD buTT conVeys her Triumph oVer her DisabiliTy.

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14 work wiSe

how do women work?

finD ouTT aT aT The how women work conference in march, powereD by Woman Today Today.

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VOLUME VI / ISSUE 02

february 2011

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Yousuf Jassem Al Darwish Chief Executive Officer Sandeep Sehgal Executive Vice President Alpana Roy Vice President Ravi Raman

Managing Editor Vani Saraswathi

Deputy Editor Sindhu Nair

assistant Editors Ahmed Lotfy Ali John Hunt

fashion & lifestyle

correspondent Orna Ballout

Editorial Co-ordinator Cassey Oliveira correspondent Pragati Shukla

Contributor Shalinee Bharadwaj

Art Director Venkat Reddy Asst Director – production Sujith Heenatigala assistant Art Director Hanan Abu Saiam Senior Graphic Designers Ayush Indrajith Sampath Gunathilaka M D

Managers – Marketing Mohammed Sami Zulfikar Jiffry Senior Media Consultant Chaturka Karandana Media Consultants Victoria Ferraris HASSAN REKKAB Marketing research & support executive amjeth ali

Accountant Pratap Chandran

sr. distribution Executive Bikram Shrestha

Distribution Support Arjun Timilsina Bhimal rai

Published by Oryx Advertising Co WLL P.O. Box 3272; Doha-Qatar Tel: (+974) 44672139, 44550983, 44671173, 44667584 Fax: (+974) 44550982 Email: wtoday@omsqatar.com website: www.omsqatar.com Copyright © 2010 Oryx Advertising Co WLL

FROM THE EDITOR

I can’t think of a more commercialised, more ridiculed and more stressful day than Valentine’s Day. Even the Mother’s, Father’s, Pet Goldfish’s Days are easier to stomach.

It’s not good enough to love someone and nurture the relationship 24/7, it is critical to focus all your energies into one day, and let the world know how much love you give and more importantly, receive. If you don’t have a little bag from Tiffany or Damas to show off the next day, do you cease to be loved? Is there someone out there walking around with a high-heel imprint on their derriere?

But LOVE is no laughing matter, is it? And there are ways of spreading your love, that doesn’t require tips from Hallmark and trips to the local mall.

This February, Woman Today talks about SPREADING THE LOVE. Before V-day boiled down to a marketing gimmick, it was quite simply a day to celebrate our loved ones – mum, dad, cousins, siblings, spouse, beau, fiancée. We decided to revisit that simple emotion, and make it a little larger.

There are people and causes out there that can do with some loving, and we help you find your feel good fit.

We also tell you why being altruistic is good for you – yes, there doesn’t seem to be a selfless act, after all. Then, there is a list of fun things to do to raise funds.

It’s time for some loving, folks! Happy V Day – V as in Volunteer, if you please..

Vani Saraswathi

Address all your correspondence to Woman Today, Oryx Advertising Co WLL, P.O. Box 3272; Doha-Qatar Tel: (+974) 44672139, 44550983, 44671173, Fax:(+974) 44550982, email: wtoday@omsqatar.com. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for advertising contents. Licensing/ Republishing WT content: To obtain permission for text syndication in books, newsletters, magazines, newspapers and web or to use images/pictures carried in Woman Today, please contact our syndication and licensing department on the numbers given above. Permission is also required to photocopy a WT article for classroom use, course packs, business or general use. Custom reprints: Published article/s to be used as stand-alone pieces can be reprinted by us on special request. The reprint cost is based on the length of the article and the quantity ordered. Contact our custom publishing division on the numbers given above for more information.To subscribe to Woman Today call our subscription department on the numbers given above.

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February 2011

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GO GREEN

Nokia E63

Woman Today invites readers’ feedback Share your views on the magazine or any issue connected to Qatar.

One lucky reader will win a Nokia E63.

Write to: The Editor, Woman Today, PO Box 3272, Doha Fax: (+974) 44550982, email: wtoday@omsqatar.com

Woman Today reserves the right to edit correspondence. Views and opinions expressed in the published letters may not necessarily be that of the publication’s.

Prizes sponsored by:

6

lETTERs Me and My house believes... below i have shared with you a resolution, “me and my house believes...” which i wish to share with you and other women of Woman Today readers. kindly accept the thoughts below by way of contribution and anticipation. i believe that positive attributes describe me I believe that confidence and security are my responsibility i believe that i am not supposed to control changes around me i believe that i will have to let go, when i need to let go i believe that the environment is my responsibility i believe that human being are a product of their past i believe that society, parents and nations should be held responsible for creating monsters i believe that no man/woman has authority to kill. i believe that we have stopped being in control of ourselves, mind, body and tongue i believe in checklists i believe that you should cry when you want i believe that food craving is an emotional call i believe that people should be given the right tools to grow and develop i believe we speak more of combating nuclear weapons than combating hate and grudges i believe indirect messages are warnings i believe that some fabricated scenarios contain a direct message i believe we should spend more time in devotion i believe that people who design weapons don’t want

you to use them i believe that caricature artists have a mind for politics and sociology i believe we eat more than we pray i believe we love less than we can louCia isaaC seroPian roCking lists when i picked the January issue of Woman Today magazine, i assumed it would be having the same old stuff on resolutions. but ut like a breath of fresh air, there were pages and pages of superbly compiled lists of anything and everything – from celebrities, to home to office to shopping. What a delight! I especially enjoyed the one about office ‘un-etiquettes’ – couldn’t agree more. i could relate to almost every point on the list. great job and hope to see many such lists!

Jesse silva an insPiring Journey last month, Woman Today carried an article on the journey of 10 women from Doha to ethiopia and it was simply heart warming. ethiopia has always been rendered as a country marred with violence and perils. but deep down, it’s a beautiful country with beautiful people. it was nice to read how these women interacted with the ethiopian ladies, their children. i believe it was a humbling experience for these fortunate ladies who had the opportunity to see the real side of ethiopia and its people.

Carol Parker

February 2011

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short

in

Women are more charitable

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f you listen to conventional wisdom, women when compared with men, are lousy tippers and cheap with their charitable dollars. Turns out the latter charge may be a myth. A new study, flagged by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, finds that in fact women give to charity more frequently than men – and in greater amounts – at just about every comparable income level.

The results may be surprising because previous studies tended to look at mostly married couples, so that gender differences were misleading or hard to discern. The researchers at the women’s philanthropy institute at the indiana university center on philanthropy, excluded couples and focused on households headed by a single man or woman. women are more charitable at the higher income levels. for example, the study found that in the us 96 percent of women who made more than $103,000 (Qr374,920) gave to charity (an average $1,910 (Qr6,952)) while only 75% of men who made that much did (an average $984(Qr3,581)).

Feeling blue?

Avoid Fb 8

W

hen you’re having one of those black-raincloud-over-the-head bad days, there’s one thing that you should absolutely not do, according to new research-and, for a lot of us, it might be kind of difficult to avoid, do not log on to facebook.

The experiments had some key revelations in their findings: one that we hide our negative emotions and promote our positive ones (which explains why there are so many happy or self-promoting status updates out there); and the second that we usually assume everyone else is happier than they actually are. “Taken together,” say the researchers, “these studies suggest that people may think they are more alone in their emotional difficulties than they really are.” in other words: misery would really love some “real” company.

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Walking: a natural atural

Detox

S

tart the year fresh with one simple habit that will improve your health and longevity: take a 20-minute walk every day for the whole month. a daily walk will cleanse your body, boost your energy, and improve digestion. practice ractice consistently and by the end of the month, it will become a new healthy habit that will serve you for the rest of your life!

Kid’s

t ntrums: tA blAme me the cellphone?

V

Dog sniffs out cancer A

labrador retriever has sniffed out bowel cancer in breath and stool samples during a study in Japan. The research, in the journal Gut, showed the dog was able to identify early stages of the disease. it has already been suggested that dogs can use their noses to detect skin, bladder, lung, ovarian and breast cancers. cancer research uk said it would be extremely difficult to use dogs for routine cancer testing.

The biology of a tumour is thought to include a distinct smell and a series of studies have used dogs to try to detect it.

ery few of us know somebody who doesn’t have a cellphone. yyet, et, very few of us have any idea what impact our handy, must-have cellphones have on our health. so far, some research suggests that their overall health impact could be as minor as causing ringing in the ears, but other studstud ies suggest that cellphones cause other biological changes that aren’t yet entirely clear. The us senate pressed researchers to provide them with more concrete evidence that cellphones are either safe or are potential cancer causers. adding to the concerns: a recent study published in the Journal of Epidemiol Epidemiology and Community Health has found that cellphones could be associated with bad behavior among children. “it’s impossible to know what the real long-term risks are,” says Diana Zuckerman, phD, president of the cancer prevention and Treatment fund, “and we’re probably not going to know for 20 years.” but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be concerned about how cellphones affect our health right now – or the health of our kids.

2011 February

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wise

work

This month we look at Kay’s story, a story about making the most of what you have and pursuing your goals determinedly – whatever your means.

“I

certainly have an unburdened soul but if I went to a therapist they would make me believe there’s something wrong with me!” Kay tries hard not to laugh out loud. Her father certainly does not have ‘an unburdened soul’ as he puts it!

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He had a hard childhood, lost many loved ones and doesn’t cope with anger or emotional distress very well. But his mistrust of the profession is his explanation for why he doesn’t want her to become an arts therapist.

He paid for the first term of training, after she had done a full-fledged research into all the Arts

Therapy institutes in the country, their credibility, their reputation, their standards and their pricing.

She had presented him with the results and her choice and he had agreed to it. Now he is withdrawing his support.

Fair enough, she is an adult after all – if a young one at 22 – she can stand on her own two feet.

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So Kay sits down and thinks about it all. How much can she earn? How much does she have to pay for childcare? How much does she have in her savings account? Does she have anything she could sell? Does she have any talents or skills she could use to make some extra money? Could she pay her training in instalments?

That is the money side of it. Linked to that are the time questions. How many hours does she have to work? How many hours are spent driving? How much time can she spend with her son? When could she squeeze in a few hours to earn extra money?

Once she has found all the answers, she proceeds to make it work. First, she calls up the Arts Therapy Institute and speaks to them about her situation. She stays calm and explains her situation without drama.

‘I am a young single mother and my father has just withdrawn his support, as he doesn’t believe in my choice of profession. I have already finished the first year, so would really like to continue my training to become an Arts Therapist. It is my vocation and I want to work in this field as soon as I can. For now I am earning money by working at a gallery. I can afford to pay $300 a month towards the training, so it would take 36 months for me to pay off the fees completely. Would that be a possibility?’ In the end, the institute offers her a payment plan that allows her to pay in instalments without paying more overall. Next, Kay sits down to manage her time and resources, she schedules her working hours, her training hours and the ‘extra-money-making hours’, as well as her time with her son, time for exercise and 15 minute time for herself every day.

Finally, she makes sure she still has some time ‘buffers’ in case something unplanned comes up – which invariably happens. There are a few stumbling blocks along the way, when she has to deal

with unexpected expenses, but she can overcome those too.

Reading a book the other day, she came across a quote that said, “There are two ways to be rich, you can either have a lot of money or very few needs.”

She has to think of that now. She doesn’t want to always restrain herself, she wants to have time and energy (and money is one form of energy) to achieve her goals and really make a difference to her future clients and to people around her in general. But she can see the truth in the statement.

You would never feel rich if you always wanted more, if you weren’t happy with what you had – and you would never feel successful either.

The secret, she thinks, lies in practising the art of synchrony: Being content with – or even proud of – what you already have, while striving for improvement at the same time. As well as in noticing when you’ve reached your goal and celebrating it. That is what she is setting out to do now, anyway. With that she raises her teacup to herself and proposes a toast, ‘To success and abundance’.

One definition of success is ... ... that you have the time, means and resources to do what you need and want to do.

What did Kay do to make it happen?

She assessed her time and means realistically.

She opened her mind to be creative and resourceful, to come up with new solutions. She communicated her needs and suggested a solution.

Key behaviours Attitude Think of challenges as opportunities to learn. Know that if you want something badly enough, you will find a way to make it happen.

Interaction Communicate your needs and your suggested solution clearly and factually, without drama. Assume that people are helpful and benevolent unless you have clear, factual evidence that they are not.

Flow Always keep your goal in mind and believe in your ability to reach it. Take at least one step – however small – towards reaching it every day.

How can that apply to your life?

Step back and look at your relationship with time and with money. They are both limited resources.

Do you handle them in the same way or in different ways?

What could you learn from how you handle one that can help you with the other?

How can you shift your perspective to see the riches you have (in terms of time and money)?

How can you make even more of the resources you have?

How can you ‘create’ more time and / or money?

This is the last one of the ‘success columns’ and we are looking forward to much, much more deliberation on success and what it means to all of us at ‘How Women Work – A Conference to Inspire Women to Define and Create their Success’ on March 6, 2011 at Katara, the Cultural Village. The Conference is powered by Woman Today

The writer is the Director & Founder of Arcata Interactive Communication Coaching and Initiator of the How Women Work Conference. She combined the skills and experience she gained from being a Personal Coach, Dance Therapist and Managing Director for many years to create unique coaching programmes that inspire, encourage and empower people to make a difference. For more information please go to www.arcata.cc

2011 February

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wise

work

a session in progress at the How Women Work conference in 2010

how do

women worK? This march, find ouT aT The how women work conference, powered by Woman Today.

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et’s say you throw a few smart, professional friends from diverse backgrounds together; they sit around and start sharing their stories, experiences. at the end of such an evening what do you think you might get? yyou get a number of stepping-stones that lead to the annual how women work conference! at least that is what carolin Zeitler got when she sat down with her friends one evening. They realised that their differences seemed immaterial and that they could be of immense help to each other by giving feedback, sharing best practices and experiences, swapping contacts etc. The seed planted in her mind, carolin decided that it would be great if she could extend this sense of belonging and communality to a wider audience of women and show them that they are not alone in their situations. she wanted to let them know that there are more women experiencing similar situations, thinking the same thoughts and feeling the same feelings. in april 2010, over 100 delegates from more

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“from the student thinking about their future career, right through to senior executives, business owners and those who are taking on a project, no matter how big or small.”

Caroline Zeitler with the participants at the How Women Work conference, 2010 than 30 nationalities listened to keynote speeches and participated in 15 workshops and panel discussions which addressed highly relevant topics. These included managing work-life balance, acquiring valuable communication skills, learning about sustainable leadership, understanding the world of entrepreneurship and how to pursue and develop the career of your dreams. The response to this workshop was overwhelming. For months later women approached Caroline to show their enthusiasm and gratitude for this initiative. The participants found that the conference helped them develop both professionally and personally. It helped by building up confidence, by helping them to feel more at home in Qatar and by helping them communicate across cultures.

Nicole Van Hattem, co-founding director of the Art Of Abundant Living, is one of the many success stories of the conference held in April 2010. This is what she had to say about her experience: ‘The support provided by Carolin Zeitler was second to none and enabled me to have access to a wide range of beneficial networks. On the day of the conference I met and began to explore opportunities with a female Qatari national business woman who is now the sponsor of Art of Abundant Living in Qatar.’

It didn’t matter if the women who attended were employed, home-based or even entrepreneurs, they all had something to take back with them that helped them to move towards being more productive and more satisfied with their lives.

The volunteers and speakers who helped out with the conference looked at this opportunity as a chance to give back to the community while making connections of their own.

“I want to say a huge Thank You so much for today, for letting me help out and take part in the workshops!!

I’m overwhelmed by all the outstandingly amazing women which I’ve met and who I have heard speak.”

– A volunteer “Overall my experience was fantastic, I not only

learned and met some people I can do business with, I believe I found a potential partner in Qatar. So all my objectives were achieved!” – A speaker With success like this, it is not surprising that How Women Work is back in 2011 for its second conference, subtitled “A Conference to Inspire Women to Define and Create Their Success”. The date is set for 10 March 2011 and this year Carolin is joined by Alison Ringrow and Jeanine Bailey from Empower People. They hope to get through to an even wider range of people this year, “from the student thinking about their future career, right through to senior executives, business owners and those who are taking on a project, no matter how big or small.”

Katara was chosen as the venue this year, because Carolin and her team believe the mission of the Cultural Village is very similar to their own – to advance Qatar through education, exchange and initiative, honouring the local culture whilst learning from other cultures and encouraging dialogue on all levels.

“Qatar, our host nation, holds tolerance – or ‘tasaamuh’ – as one of it’s highest values, which enables all of us to live and thrive here together. The success of this ever-growing and developing nation has many reasons, of course; tolerance, attracting great talent and positive, productive dialogue between individuals and cultures certainly rank highly among them.” says Caroline. Inspired by their highnesses the Sheikhas Mozah, Mayassa and Hind, the team behind the conference aims to explore how the above principles can be applied in everyday working lives. The conference aims to shed light on the culture of working women in the 21st century, and the demands and expectations they are expected to fulfil, through workshops like, ‘Work-Life Balance; Creating Sustainable Success’ or ‘Women are System Thinkers ... and we need more of them in a complex world’.

They seek to initiate and deepen dialogue between the corporate world and women of all cultures and backgrounds creating a mutual understanding, to

explore what companies can do to make workplaces more attractive to women and clearly establish what kind of commitment companies look for from women.

There will be sessions aimed at encouraging women to step up and shape the future and the culture of this country by becoming leaders.

Carolin and her team define ‘leadership’ as filling one’s role fully, taking responsibility for one’s actions and their consequences and simply aspiring to being the best one can be. For this purpose they will offer workshops like ‘Finding your Voice’ and ‘Developing Confidence as a Leader’.

Finally they also aim to close the gap between the different cultures present by bringing them together in small groups (30-40 people) and encouraging interaction between them. Last year’s conference proved that this opportunity of direct exchange with women from various backgrounds, ages and cultures did more to promote understanding and create awareness of similarities between individuals’ dreams, hopes, fears and goals than any lecture could.

Sharing personal stories, insights and experience are very powerful ‘connectors’.

It is a known fact that atmosphere plays a big role in inspiration and Katara with its open spaces, views out to the water and surroundings seem perfect for inviting action, reflection and learning. The 2011 How Women Work Conference is billed to live up to everyone’s expectations of equalling if not outdoing last year’s conference. The message that this multitalented, multi-cultural team of women behind the conference would like to send out to the women in Qatar is, “Qatar is a land of opportunities. It is up to you to define and create your own success. Let us inspire you”

By Nadira Mendis Amarasinghe 2011 February

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women

worldwide

“From the country S erVe erV Ve to Ser SerVe It t better” by sinDhu nair

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February 2011

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haroq Al-Malki is firm and uncompromising in her actions. she doesn’t waste her words; they are decisive and to the point. but talk about human resources, the department she heads; Tasweeq, the organisation she works for and Qatar, her country, then there is no stopping her. she likes listening to people, to coach and to mentor, and that’s the reason she finds herself a perfect fit in HR. Handling close to 140 employees of diverse cultures, sharoq understands how people from different nationalities react to situations and brings her perception to work when dealing with them. her role as a motivator makes her popular among friends too. she is constantly mentoring and advising friends and urging them to go that extra mile or to take up an exciting opportunity. “i do not wait for opportunities, i make them happen and that is what i tell everyone,” she says. “it was easier for me because i had parents who encouraged me. my passion was further ignited when i worked with hh sheikha mozah. if my friends want to go ahead in their life but lack mentoring, i am willing to play the role. if they are ready to make a change, then i advise and encourage them to a great extent.” she also feels that Qataris, in particular, have to take on active roles and be a part of the “success story of Qatar”.

“We might not find the perfect environment but as long as the job matches your skills, the rest can be worked on.” what she says about hr sums up her passion for people. “if you talk to any of my colleagues, they will tell you how I describe HR and its significance to them. I tell them that marketing, finance and even

operations are important parts of any company, but human resources is the heart of it. if there is flaw in this department, then everything ceases to function.”

a solid foundation sharoq is open to cultural diversity and this is the result of a ‘unique’ environment in which she was raised. her well-educated and working parents are aware of the steps that the society is taking towards progress. Thus, her streak of independence and her can-do spirit find roots in what her parents taught her. her oratory skills she attributes to her father, who helped her charter her future plans. but her transparency and frankness was imbibed from her mother, whom she dubs as her emotional anchor. “ever since i was a child, i always needed an anchor to keep me going. luckily for me, i had the best role models anyone could ask for in the comfort of my home. “even in my most testing times, my parents guided me with their priceless wisdom and encouragement,” she says.

SIze DOeSn’T MATTeR

Talk of values and heritage and Qatar is not far from her thoughts. “Though Qatar is small, it has been able to accomplish what most other countries merely dream of achieving. Day by day, i can see HH the Emir’s 2030 vision of Qatar reflecting in our daily life. Education City reflects the kind of importance and investment human capital – our most important resource – receives,” she says. “we have progressed so far only because of strong foundations. A perfect case of ‘right vision put in action’. for example, the education facilities that we have are setting standards while the museums here are creating benchmarks. look at our participation in the ‘Dialogue of Civilisations’;

QuiCk takes A book beside me 48 laws of power A person I respect hh sheikha mozah bint nasser al-misned Friends light in the dark path and essential in life Relax reading a book by the seashore A destination of choice buenos aires An advice I always keep in mind perception is the mother of mistakes 10 years from now.... a consultant and an international writer

“we mighT noT finD The perfecT enVironmenT buT as long as The Job maTches your skills, The resT can be workeD on.”

2011 February

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it shows how open we are to other cultures. That does not mean that what is right for another country will be applicable for Qatar.”

While the country is marching towards progress, does she feel that the beauty of a small cosy country is lost in the chaos that comes with development?

“Not at all,” she says, “because it opens up more opportunities – for the world to have a positive impact on Qatar and for Qatar to affect the region and the world positively. We have hosted many events that nurture the important ideals of tolerance, understanding, and co-existence.

Furthermore, there is an extensive knowledge transfer from developed countries that will help equip our citizens to progress and take Qatar from strength to strength.

“I am proud to be here at this moment of time, because as HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Thani said in her speech at the FIFA presentation, ‘The time is NOW’ and as a Qatari, I want all of us nationals to take this opportunity and make the most of it. Give back to the country that has made us proud.”

Following footprints

“I was inspired by her vision, her commitment and her personality. I learnt a lot from her. It is from that experience that I have gained insights which have assisted me in my present role.”

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Speaking of HH Sheikha Mozah brings Sharoq to another milestone in her life.

The period when she worked with HH Sheikha Mozah – “a transformational period” as she puts it.

“I was inspired by her vision, her commitment and her personality. I learnt a lot from her. It is from that experience that I have gained insights which have assisted me in my present role.”

Sharoq served as the Correspondence and Follow-up Manager at HH Sheikha Mozah’s office before she joined Tasweeq.

Equal opportunities She believes that opportunities are what we make of it. “Today, we are competing in an open market on the basis of merit, personality, and commitment. It is not gender driven,” she says.

“The opportunities are more and examples of gender equality are prevalent in all sectors and many female success stories are a testament to this.”

Talk of a glass ceiling in this region and she is quick to dismiss it.

“I don’t believe in this because women have assumed the most senior positions in public and

private sectors and also in the ministry level in the Government. Now everything depends on the level of commitment, and not at all on gender. And that is what we keep a look-out for in our recruitment process too. You need a person who is committed and can work in a team. That, in reality, makes for a ‘perfect’ match in our recruitment, not just education levels. In this era, where knowledge on most of the topics is just a Google search away to an extent, it is more interpersonal skills that HR personnel keep a look-out for.”

But she believes that Qatari women have to make their mark in businesses in Qatar.

“Entrepreneurs have to be encouraged and mostly amongst women as they can have a positive impact on family and society.”

All charted out Sharoq has her future planned and charted to the last detail. Tasweeq is her path to that final destination.

“I believed in the vision of the company, marketing oil and gas products. iIt is unique in terms of business and standards. I joined in 2008 and now I am handling the HR department as a Director,” she says about Tasweeq and HR in particular: “Tasweeq desires all its recruits to have multifunctional skills, to be able to move from one department to another. Master the functioning of one area and then move on to another This will help the employee hone his/her skills in numerous disciplines (planning, marketing, human resources, etc.).”

“As for the principles which I follow in Tasweeq HR, I would summarise them in three Fs; Friendliness: Always use a friendly approach even in hard situations; Flexibility: Being flexible to the different cultures and circumstances and Fast action: Be fast in taking decisions to cope with the dynamic changes in the market and environment.

What I would like to achieve is to create the best practices that are specific to the organisation which I believe enhances productivity.

Eventually, Sharoq aims to extend her people management abilities and the skills of providing mentorship by stepping into the role of a consultant.

“When I look at my goals, I am ticking them off, slowly but surely, next in the line is my thesis...” she says, keeping her fingers crossed

February 2011

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building A creAti v e teA m maryam al-beshri always wanTed To do someThing differenT. someThing creaTive, afTer her graduaTion in fine arTs from virginia commonwealTh universiTy in QaTar, while The resT of her baTchmaTes venTured inTo creaTive professions, maryam chose To Turn regular professions, creaTive. she has noT only founded creaTive careers consulTancy buT has also inTroduced a whole new concepT of ‘Team-building’ in QaTar’s work culTure Through biz-evenTs. maryam in conversaTion wiTh cassey oliveira.

C

reativity and innovation – these were two concepts that maryam wanted to inculcate in a work-place. she felt that for many of us, it’s the monthly pay-cheque that keeps us motivated to work.

“There’s no loyalty to the job or excitement,” she says, ““and i wanted to change that.” giving shape to her thoughts was the launch of creative careers in 2010, that dished out remedies for mundane working environments, by bringing creative solutions to challenge one’s working style or careers either through consulting or team-building activities.

Maryam feels that there is a definite energy

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February 2011

a good Manager...

“women usually end up sitting at home after working for a considerable period because they want to focus only on their family. i see myself in a similar situation as well. hence through biz-events, i gave them an opportunity to work part-time with us; so they get to serve their family and contribute to the community as well,” she says as the general manager of biz-events. “a good manager is one who not only looks into the needs of the business, but also the personal needs of the employee.”

Teaming up is fun!

A grateful citizen...

Maryam was appreciative of the fact that she didn’t have to fly abroad to pursue higher studies because foreign universities were brought to Qatar. On a similar note, she too wanted her country to experience an international concept without crossing borders.

“It’s not about being the first one to start something new in the country; its more about sharing a new knowledge with the country. Launching biz-events is one way to say ‘thank you’ to my country.”

that is absent when co-workers have to collaborate towards a common goal, and this affects business.

Once again, Maryam took charge of launching a ‘team-building’ service provider; and soon biz-events was roped in as a franchise under Creative Careers.

There are still other ‘creative thoughts’, but she prefers to remain tight-lipped till they actually materialise.

What bonds a team?

It’s communication, synergy and transparency, says Maryam.

"The activities that we provide are fun and interactive sessions that create a synergetic and highperforming team who can work together to achieve business goals of the organisation,” she says.

When it comes to employer-employee bond, she says “I believe a hierarchy is always needed in a business, but we try to break barriers within it. Hence, we introduce the required collaboration through activities that lets a junior staff work together with a senior staff.”

Since this concept is relatively new in the region, Maryam is keen on focussing primarily on raising awareness on team-building and its benefits.

“There are several international companies working in Qatar that have an idea about this concept, and want to implement it. But the real challenge is the local Qatari businesses and the Government sector, that don’t have the slightest idea about it.”

So far, the response has been positive. One of the most successful sessions was with the 1,500 vol-

unteers of the AFC Asian Cup 2011, she recollects.

“Since these volunteers came from different parts of the world, our challenge was to unify them as a team, and we were successful with that. Even the feedback that we received from the press and participants was encouraging.”

Activities that teams partake in:

Beats work: In facilitated teams, delegates learn to play samba instruments ultimately coming together and performing in harmony.

How Qatar supported her “Qatar is a role-model in terms of nuturing local businesswoman,” says Maryam, “The country has offered various centres, conferences and forums that present women with opportunities to share their ideas. There are also several networking events that encourage woman to do more in business.”

And like most Qatari woman, her role model is HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned. “By following her steps, we women are trying to get out of the box and do something different to contribute to our community.”

“Now you can see women in Qatar holding ministerial positions, so starting a business is nothing,” she says.

“Maybe if we didn’t receive this scale of education, I would question a woman’s capability to run a business. But with Qatar turning into an educational hub, there are universities that impart the required entrepreneurship knowledge to women who want to start a business.”

Family first

Big Picture: Teams need to coordinate and communicate while drawing and painting on cleverly crafted sections of a picture on canvasses, as not all information is provided to them. After completion, the canvasses are joined together to create the ‘Big Picture’ that highlight the results of working together.

Kon Tiki: Teams are provided with the basic requirements to make a sea-floating vessel with cardboard.

Only with coordination, commitment and energy, can the teams succeed in the hilariously competitive race.

Maryam has an entire business to handle, but that doesn’t curtail time with her family.

Benefits: It supports strategic planning, induces high energy, promotes problem solving, reinforces creative thinking and guarantees fun.

“By following the steps of Sheikha Mozah, we women are trying to get out of the box and do something different to contribute to our community.”

Challenges for Maryam: Many people back out as they consider themselves incapable of performing a given task.

Women usually don’t perceive certain tasks as their cup of tea.

2011 February

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A conference that inspired...

Maryam was introduced to the biz-events team and its founder Hazel Jackson during the conference ‘How Women Work’, and she immediately recognised the need to bring a corporate team building business to Qatar through biz-events.

As a participant, she remembers vividly the

“hww was an inspiration for those women who were caught up between ‘Should I sit at home or can I do much more?’

By providing them with options of freelancing, volunteering and part-time jobs, We help them utilise their potential.”

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session that she attended was titled ‘Employment Vs Self-employment’. The panellists had put across four different scenarios to the women – being employed, being self-employed, transition from employed to self-employed and vice-versa – and each of this had its own challenges. Learning that proved to be a great guiding factor in her

A good mother...

She says it’s important for mothers to spend enough time with their children. “You can always give your kids the fanciest and most expensive of toys, but playing with them is what counts.”

“It’s all about time-management. I work with a calendar and plan weekly as to what I have to do at work, and what needs to be done at home. Since I am a mother of a four-year-old girl, I would like to give her all the time that is needed without missing out on any of her needs,” she says

professional endeavours.

“I encourage every woman to participate in the upcoming conference on March 6.”

Who knows, Maryam might be one of the speakers – sharing her many ‘thoughts’. “Or may be provide team-building activities during the conference!” she says.

During the nascent stages of developing a business, Maryam says it’s natural to find it difficult to juggle between home and work.

“Even when working at home, I try to engage my daughter with what I do in a very simple way.”

“My highest priority is always my family. So far, I am managing fair enough. But I don’t know what will happen when the business grows bigger.”

So far, everything is under control, she quips.

Maryam has played it all – she’s a doting mother, a caring manager and a grateful citizen and “that’s the best trait of a woman”, she says. “It’s in our nature to play multiple roles. We have the power to achieve more than what we are given.”

February 2011

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women

worldwide

! s t r A

it’s a W Women’s omen’s Worl W orlD...in by cassey oliVeira

no, we are noT TTalking abouT women as The muse, we are TTalking abouT women who speak arTT,, who are dedica dedicaTTed To spreading The word of arT. WomA Wom n Tod TodAy illuminaT illuminaTes five such women, enriched wiTh an in-depTh knowledge, They are ouT There To serve arTT aficionados wiTh The as, rs and TTs of arT!

MarJan soliMani as far back as marjan recollects, she was been inclined towards the world of arts. she says, “it has to be in you; either you have an eye for it since childhood or you don’t. it’s an instinct!” and thanks to her iranian roots, her passion towards iranian art grew all the more strong. “iranian art like any other stems from the essence of the country – it’s culture, political situation, nature and climate. it combines tradition and

modernism, thus making it unique.” but she believes that art sees beyond both nationalities and gender. “ rt is the common language of all nations; it’s a “a language of the heart which connects people of different nationalities. it is the best way of expression one can choose.

“Just as there is no difference between a male and a female artist. art is a way of expressing oneself, and men and women are completely equal aT a leasT in this matter!”Though art appreciation has come a long way, marjan feels that it’s never enough

m marjan Solimani – Head of Iranian art, Bonhams marjan has been engaged in curating art exhibitions across the m m middle East to promote Iranian artists. at Bonhams, as an Iranian art specialist, she is involved in building the brand and creating awareness among art collectors and galleries about the same.

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February 2011

If given a chance, what Art-work would you like to create?

Anish Kapoor’s pigment works

Quick takes

What does Art mean to you?

Beauty What collections do you possess?

Mainly Modern Pakistani art, although I have one amazing work by a contemporary woman artist, Adeela Suleman.

Your favourite artist Anish Kapoor

What is the most beautiful piece of Art you have come across so far?

The Shahnameh (Persian manuscript) folios sold at auction by the British Rail Pension Fund

Mehreen Rizvi – Head of South Asian & Modern and Contemporary Art, Bonhams Under Mehreen’s guidance, Bonhams has become a leader in sub-continental art. She has discovered a number of unrecognised Indian paintings which sold for six figure sums; and has initiated and organised the unique first single sale of Indian Artist Francis Newton Souza ‘Works on Paper’. She also arranged the first ever auction of Middle Eastern art in the USA in May 2010.

Born in Pakistan, Mehreen is passionate about the art hailing from her country. “It gives me great pleasure to see it being recognised internationally through exhibitions and of course the publicity it gets through ground-breaking auctions, especially Modern Pakistani art.

“I think the best way to describe Pakistani art is that it ‘surprises’ people as the quality, diversity and edginess of artworks does not seem associated with a country that has been stereotyped as radically religious. Coming from one of history’s greatest civilisations – the Indus Valley – Pakistani artists embed their rich history in their works to produce some

to promote Art. The fact that there are tonnes of artists surfacing around the world everyday only doubles the need to showcase their works and talent to all. “I don’t think any particular art form needs immediate revival, as it is already done, but it’s a new artist who needs that.” Deciphering art is a game of the eyes says Marjan. “There is a message in each art work which is sent out to the community by an artist. It entirely depends on the viewer to connect with that message and to have his own perception.”

very thought-provoking yet beautiful artworks,” says Mehreen.

She has been involved in many auctions, and feels that they help in raising awareness for arts. “Auctions come under media attention when million dollar deals are made, which in turn attracts the collectors’ attention.

People seem to be more receptive to artists now as many of the top collectors get to know the artists and their thought process directly.”

With auction houses like Bonhams, the prospective of art and artists seem bright Mehreen feels.

“The great Modern and Contemporary artists are being recognised even in the 21st century like never

before. I think important initiatives like the building of Museums in the Middle East region, of which Qatar is undoubtedly at the forefront, have helped in bringing credibility and visibility to the regions art.”

Women too have traversed a long way. “In South Asia and Middle East, women have done very well in the visual arts scene. Regional names like Shirin Neshat, Mona Hatoum and Shazia Sikander are now being recognised on an international scale.”

As Mehreen continues to be driven by her passion for Art, she believes the best way to appreciate and promote art is “to make it available to our future generations by exposing them to Art at a very young age.”

What does Art mean to you?

Art is an inseparable part of my daily life, so it means everything to me.

Quick takes

Mehreen Rizvi

What is the most beautiful piece of Art you have come across so far?

Each one of the art works I come across has its own beauty, it very hard to use the word “the most” for them.

If given a chance, what would you like to create?

I would surely paint.

Which other Art do you admire?

Art of being a true human being!

Is Middle East a good hub for enhancing your passion in Arts?

It indeed has a high potential and I am glad to be part of it.

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women

worldwide

How does one appreciate the true meaning of the works?

The more you learn about the work or the period, the more it will shape your admiration.

Quick takes

What does Art mean to you?

Art is like a time-machine that takes me through the thoughts, perspectives, and ideologies at the time it was made.

What collections do you possess?

Orientalist art and Armenian contemporary art.

Any beautiful piece of Art you have come across?

Works by Alma-Tadema, Gerome, Bouguereau, or Godward. The technique, the colours, the softness and femininity expressed by these masters have yet to be matched today!

Advice for auctions See the works in person – it may be different from what you imagined. Also, don’t be afraid to ask the art specialists questions. That’s what we’re here for!

Taline Nicole Aynilian – Head of Orientalist art, Bonhams As the Head of Sale and International Senior Specialist in Orientalist Paintings and Works of Art based in New York and Dubai, Taline has successfully developed the Orientalist market, advising clients on their acquisitions and building the forthcoming Orientalist sales.

Taline Aynilian “Art is something that captivates nearly everyone,” says Taline. Undoubtedly, she couldn’t evade its temptation. “I wanted the opportunity to be surrounded by art, to touch it, work with it, research it and ultimately to get to know everything I could about it. The only way to do that was to make it my job,” says the Orientalist Art specialist. According to Taline, there are two reasons that make Orientalist Art unique from other arts. “Firstly, it does not have a fixed time span, subject matter or style.

Instead it is defined by perspective; it is the way the West imagined the East, resulting in paintings, sculpture and decorative objects that depict exotic and alluring images such as deserts, harems, souqs and entertainment.”

“Secondly, Orientalist art is of historical significance to the Middle East. The scenes rendered in these paintings still exist today or act as evidence and propaganda of their greatness in history. Since artists from the region were not permitted to paint

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until recently, the Orientalist works of art are the only forms of documentation where one can see what the Middle East looked like in the past.” The art lover also advocates that ‘Women and arts go hand in hand’. “Women seem innately interested in aesthetics; testament to this is our devout following of fashion. So it seems natural that the art world is filled in majority with women,” she says. Even then, the top rungs in the art world seem crowded by men. Taline explains, “The art world, especially auction houses, demands its specialists to constantly travel - be it for appraising collections, attending international art fairs, or conducting auctions. Also, your evenings are always occupied with exhibition openings, entertaining clients, or auctions. The job takes over your entire life and it becomes increasingly difficult for women especially to build and raise a family and simultaneously keep abreast of the art world.” “But the important thing to realise is that the art world is a place where women can excel,” she says firmly.

Sheikha Lulu Al-Sabah – Partner and Founder of JAMM Sheikha Lulu is primarily responsible for all charitable and talent functions of the business. She was a panellist at the Art Basel in 2006 and 2008. In 2006, she co-organised an exhibition of paintings by Kuwaiti women artists at the prestigious Institute du Monde Arabe in Paris.

The JAMM founders For Sheikha Lulu Al-Sabah and Lydia Limerick, the best thing they could have ever done to promote Arab Art was to found JAMM. “Our focus had always been on the Middle East region and we shared similar views on the projects we wanted to be engaged in. For this reason, we established JAMM to contribute to the development of the contemporary art market in the Middle East and beyond,” says Sheikha Lulu.

Her love for Arab Art knows no bounds, but she finds it impossible to describe this Art. “Because there are over 20 Arab countries and each have their own specific cultures, traditions, political realities. etc. Art from this region encompasses over 10 different styles in technique, and span from the Modern art in the early 20th century to the contemporary art being produced today.”

Meanwhile, Lydia too shares an equal passion for the region’s art, but she doesn’t consider Contempo-

February 2011

2/7/11 11:44:44 AM

Quick takes How does Art inspire you?

Emotionally and intellectually.

Your favourite piece of Art. The Winged Victory of Samothrace (at the Louvre museum in Paris).

If given a chance, what Art-work would you like to create?

Auguste Rodin’s ‘The Kiss’ (made in 1889 in marble).

belief systems,” says Sheikha Lulu.

But Lydia feels that now both worlds cannot turn a blind eye to what the other has to offer. “We live in a globalised world where exhibitions and auctions of all international art are shown. So I don’t think they are unaware of each other.”

Only over a year old, JAMM has already made generous attempts to satiate art lovers. They have hosted the first contemporary art auction in Kuwait; held a talk with Professor Homi Bhabha, the Head of Humanities at Harvard University, and Hans Ulrich

Quick takes

If not Art, what would you have chosen?

Being a journalist or a human rights lawyer.

What is Art for you?

Art is a form of escapism, created by another person and their vision of how they see the world.

As an art advisor, what’s the best advice you give to artists and clients?

To clients, the best advice is to buy what you like, research what you buy and to continue to develop your eye and knowledge by visiting museums, art galleries and art events.

Your favourite artist I constantly find new favourite artists, there are so many young emerging artists breaking into the market.

To artists, the best advice is to be true to oneself. There must be sincerity in the works of art that they produce.

rary Arab Art to be any different from other arts. “Artists are inspired by their surroundings, cultural and religious backgrounds. I know a number of Western artists whose work is solely based on Arab influence and script. It has more to do with what inspires artists to create rather than the geographical location.”

Armed with a combined expertise of over 20 years in the contemporary and international art market, both have strived hard to encourage a creative collaboration between the West and the East by promoting Arab and Iranian artists in the West and western artists in the East. “I think art is the most efficient way to promote cross-cultural understanding. It increases compassion and tolerance among people with varied

Obrist, the Curator at the Serpentine Gallery; organised an exhibition in London which featured the works of 11 international artists; and also hosted a variety of art dinners and a book launch for Iranian artist Reza Derakshani.

Meanwhile, Lulu is positive about the region’s art gaining a bright future and she feels the same for women artists. “Previously, female artists had a more difficult time entering art academies and a harder time forging careers as professional artists, as women were expected to remain in the private

If given a chance, what Artwork would you like to create?

I work in art because I don’t have the talent to create it.

If not Art, what would you have chosen?

I don’t know

Lydia Limerick – Partner and Founder of JAMM Lydia is primarily focused on building private and corporate collections. During her tenure earlier at Christie’s Middle East, she was responsible for opening their first office in the region and also for introducing Contemporary Arab & Iranian work to the Dubai Auction.

Auction houses Bonhams is a privately owned British auction house and one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques, since 1793.

Established in 2009, JAMM offers a comprehensive art management and consultancy service to private, corporate and public clients. Projects range from large-scale exhibitions and events to small-scale activities that focus on the development of the art market in the Middle East and other key regional markets.

As an art advisor, what’s the best advice you give to artists and clients?

For artists don’t overexpose yourself to the market and for clients don’t be swayed by trends, buy what you love. domain rather than the public sphere. Today, there is less sexism and more opportunities for women.

Artists are accepted into schools based on their talent rather than their gender. Female artists from the Middle East are represented by top galleries, and their works are purchased by collectors globally,” says Lulu.

Lydia agrees as well. “Women now run some of the best galleries, head museum departments, are top artists and of course patrons to the arts. There are several opportunities for us, if we have the passion and determination.” Discovering women as artists, curators, critics, art journalists within the field of art is not surprising anymore!

2011 February

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Young &

happening

the

‘special’ smell of success by cassey oliVeira

T

here are three medals clinking around fatima hassan abdullah’s neck – a gold which she won for shotput and two bronze for 100 metres race at various regional special olympic games. The rest of her prized possessions are lodged safely at her place. for the 18-year-old, who has Down’s syndrome, these medals do not just convey her triumphant memories on the field; it conveys her triumph over her disabilty.

Woman Today talks to this champion...

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The chromosomal disorder made fatima a very hyperactive girl, and this was a cause of concern. but sports gave her a channel to vent out the untapped energy. her er brush with the sporting world was through the activities at the shafallah centre, entre, where she studies. she was soon enrolled into the athletic activities of the training programme for the special olympics lympics Qatar (soQ). ( now her energy has been diverted towards athletics, specially shotput. sports ports has brought a spark in fatima’s

February 2011

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QuiCk takes Favourite sport: shotput How do you stay fit? i walk daily Favourite sports person: my coach because he taught me everything Hobbies: listening to stories, music and helping my mother Favourite singer: Tamer hussein (egyptian singer), mohammad abdel (egyptian singer) and najwa karam (lebanese singer) A person you are grateful to: my family Dream in life: To become an engineer

monotonous life. “earlier i used to just sleep, sit in front of the computer or go shopping with my mother. with limited activity, my weight kept increasing. after joining soQ, i am busy with programmes, activities and practice. every week i am made to run twice on the tracks. This keeps me active.” “even before joining soQ, i was interested in sports, but never found a place to practice,” she says.

There is a change in her personality too. she is calm, stronger and most importantly, happier. “sports has made me healthy. i am more comfortable with everyone around me.” even at the centre, she helps her teachers to con-

trol and discipline the class and organise students during gym , thanks to her newly acquired leadership skills.

her strength is her faMily being a young girl with special needs exposing fatima to an international arena was not an easy call. but ut her parents have been very supportive. ““after every game, they throw a party for me, and call my friends over to celebrate with me,” she says.

They have gone a step further to encourage other parents to let their daughters participate in sports. with fatima’s success story, parents have become less reluctant to expose their daughters to the world

DOnATIOn CAMPAIgn: for the next international summer games that will be held in athens, greece in June 2011, the participating p&g brands have launched a donation campaign from January 25. with every purchase of any of these brands (e.g. ariel, Tide, fairy, Downy, pampers, always, pantene, h&s, pert, herbal essences, crest, oral b, olay, camay, wella, gillette) 1Qr will be donated to special olympics across the mena region.

2011 February

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Young &

happening

Coach speaks Fatima’s coach Ali Hudaib has had nine years of experience in coaching at SOQ. Having spent considerable time with special needs people, Ali has deciphered one special trait of theirs. He says, “These people have a pure heart. Unlike us, there is nothing hidden inside. When they cheer for you, it’s whole-hearted.”

Fatima joined the SOQ team in 2001. “She is a famous athlete now,” Ali asserts. “This Summer Games 2011, she is most likely to participate in shotput and 100 metre running.” The confirmations are due this month, and the coach has his fingers crossed.

“In 2003, Fatima was the first girl to represent Qatar at the Special Olympics in London.

And seeing her doing so well internationally, it’s much easier for us now to ask parents to send their daughters for sports. She’s the beginning!” says Ali.

Fatima – going strong with sports THE MEDALS SHE HAS WON: Tournament

Activity

Position

World Summer Games of International Special Olympics 2003

Shotput 100m

Third Second

Regional Games of Special Olympics MENA 2004

Shotput 100m

Third Fourth

Regional Games of Special Olympics MENA 2006

Shotput 100m

Third Fourth

World Summer Games of International Special Olympics 2007

Shotput 100m

Second Third

Regional Games of Special Olympics MENA 2008

Shotput 100m

Second First

Regional Games of Special Olympics MENA 2010

Shotput 100m

Third Third

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of sports.

For those who still hesitate, Fatima says, “If your daughter wants to play sports, it means sports makes her happy. She will be a ‘good girl’ at home too.”

Fatima is close to her father and the saddest moment in her life was when her father lost his sight.

“My father was a television director and loved his job. But after losing his vision, he cannot work. I feel sad for that.”

She loves her father and has stood by her mother in taking care of him. “I always help my father. If he wants to go anywhere, I guide him.” She used to love her father’s shows. “But more than his job,” she says, “it's being with him that I like.”

People with disabilities often turn their back on opportunities.

But, Fatima encourages them to face the world.

“Go out, meet people, make friends, see the world.

Don’t hide at home.”

Fatima’s journey has changed the perception of many Qatari parents in the society regarding the participation of children in Special Olympics. ‘Tuti’ is what Fatima is called at home, and today she is known by her nickname and she is famous through her sporting achievements. This has been her inspiring journey.

February 2011

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Spread in g

Woman Today moves away from the traditional and celebrates Valentine's Day by

the L ove...

Are you on board?

2011 February

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Spread the Love

“Start with yourself by being more gentle in how you talk to yourself.”

Cultivating compassion

i

Acts of kindness and compassion are also acts of courage, writes Jacki Woodworth

came into my office one day last month to discover an envelope on my desk. Inside the envelope was a coupon for a movie at the Villagio Theatre and a letter that read; “Dear Friend, Please accept this gift as a spontaneous, anonymous act of kindness. If you think this is a nice idea then pass it forward by doing something kind for someone else. It doesn’t need to be a gift of monetary value, think about allowing someone to go in front of you in a queue or leaving a cup of tea on the desk of someone having a busy day. Have a beautiful day.” Wow, someone was “spreading the love” by making an anonymous compassionate gesture AND suggesting I do the same, what a concept!

As human beings we have innate needs to feel

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cared about and connected. That’s why I felt so good about receiving my “spontaneous, anonymous act of kindness”. Acts of kindness and compassion are also acts of courage. It takes a courageous effort to step outside ourselves and act in compassionate ways. It is an act of courage AND compassion when we step outside ourselves and offer a simple human kindness. It can also surprisingly wash your own troubles away.

This is what volunteering is all about. Volunteering offers us opportunities to step outside ourselves and connect with others by doing acts of human kindness and compassion without asking for anything in return. As a social worker I have witnessed such acts have transformative effects, often more for the giver than the receiver.

When we offer a kindness to another we in fact

February 2011

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“... such acts have transformative effects, often more for the giver than the receiver. When we offer a kindness to another we in fact offer it to ourselves...” offer it to ourselves, our heart softens, we FEEL good about what we are doing and want to do more. You know the feeling, when you have done something for someone else just because you felt it was the good and right thing to do. It just plain feels good.

Author Karen Armstrong, explores this phenomenon in her research on compassion. She defines compassion as the core concept of ‘The Golden Rule’ – treat others as you would like to be treated. She has found that this fundamental principle is consistent within all the major faiths of the world. (Interested to know more? See her Charter for Compassion work at http://charterforcompassion.org/site/ or hear her on TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com.

You can nurture compassion in your own life in small, but powerful ways. Start with yourself by being more gentle in how you talk to yourself.

For example, instead of saying, “how could I be so stupid”, try saying, “I’m doing the best I can, sometimes people make mistakes, it’s OK” (tip: it helps to imagine you are speaking to a loved one, i.e. child, parent or dear friend). Once you have tried your hand at self-compassion, move it out to larger circles such as family, friends, and community. Spreading compassion is a powerful experience, give yourself a chance. Take a courageous step and connect with another human being through an act of compassion.

Stumped for ways to Spread the Compassion right here in your own back yard? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Volunteer! Donate your time to a local organization such as Reach Out to Asia (ROTA), Qatar Animals Welfare Society (QAWS), or the Red Crescent Society.

Instead of road rage next time you are out on

our Doha streets try an ATK – Act of Traffic Kindness by giving way or allowing someone to merge in front of you.

Bring a cup of coffee, tea or maybe a flower to the desk of a co-worker who looks like they could use a break.

Stop what you are doing and really LISTEN to someone, with both your ears and your heart.

Be present in the moment with them.

Pass a friendly greeting to the man who pumps your gas or the woman who rings in your groceries.

Donate money that goes beyond ‘cash in hand’, for example donate to a microfinance organisation such as Kiva (http://www.kiva.org/) Children learn by example – let them witness you being compassionate.

Jacki has been fortunate to work in the field of counselling and social work for nearly 25 years. During this time, she has worked with seniors, students, troubled youth and families and individuals in crisis. She holds a Masters degree in social work (MSW) and has been participated in research in this field. She strongly believes in volunteerism and has contributed to numerous organisations over the last 35 years. She currently works as a student counselor at Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar and in her spare time, is a certified yoga instructor and teacher of mindfulness stress reduction. Jacki is originally from Nova Scotia, Canada and has lived in Doha with her husband and two children for almost eight years.

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Spread the Love

It Feels Good to Give!

Hedonism describes acts of altruism as really selfish acts that benefit the actor. Is this true, asks Nadira Mendis Amarasinghe

“i

o give and not expect anything in return” Is that a possibility? Can we be truly selfless? These are interesting questions that I have been mulling on. With Valentines’ day around the corner there has been much talk among us at Woman Today about “sharing the love” about giving freely to others without expecting anything in return.

Hallmark cards and edible, chocolate covered, Valentine’s Day triggered expressions of love aside, all these discussions also propelled us towards an associated topic; altruism. In a world where stories of malice and greed abound it’s heartening to hear that people still remember to be altruistic. Altruism is generally defined as, “Unselfish behaviour and attitude towards the welfare of others.” Sadly however, even in psychology textbooks, following closely on the heels of the word altruism is another, less attractive one: “hedonism.” Now watch things get complicated. Hedonism describes acts of altruism as really selfish acts that benefit the actor. Is this true?

Can we be helping others selflessly but actually gaining something for ourselves? This would then make our so called “selfless” act a “selfish” one.

“We are all here on Earth to help others. What I can’t figure out what the others are here for.”

It was W. H Auden who made this tongue in the cheek statement, which I think many of us can

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identify with. Studies on the human race have revealed that we do come hard-wired to be selfless. Having said that, here’s something else that is also true about us: even the most altruistic among us will admit that there are times when we tend to think about what we are likely to receive in return. So in fact it would be safe to say that completely unselfish acts are the exception rather than the norm. That is not however a negative by itself since human beings need motivation and without it we wouldn’t find ourselves doing much. The same goes for being unselfish.

Without any motivation whatsoever it is unlikely that anyone will perform an act of selflessness.

So what is it that pushes us to be altruistic? What do we get in return for our acts of human kindness, so to speak?

Let’s glance through a few common motivators: The reap what you sow principle – Almost every religion on the planet, every non-religious philosophy and every culture believes in reaping the results of what we sow. We believe that if we are kind to others, we will be treated with the same kind of kindness. If we love others we will be loved back. These beliefs motivate us to give. This does not mean however that with each act of selflessness we perform we consciously tell ourselves that we will be paid back for it later in life or in an after-life. But it is something that is instilled in all of us for as long as we

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can remember and it is as much part of us as breathing is.

The feel good glow – When we help someone else with what we believe to be complete and pure altruism, we all experience that warm, glowing feeling inside us. The feeling of contentment of having done something good for someone, for our community or for humanity. That sense of satisfaction feels so good that we keep going back for more. We continue to do good deeds just so that we feel good inside, thereby benefitting both the giver and the receiver.

Esteem enhancement – Volunteering and helping others not only assists those at the receiving end but it also helps us view ourselves in a better light. When we help others, along with that warm glow mentioned earlier, we also start seeing ourselves as being closer to the ideals we cherish. We see ourselves as being, unselfish, giving and kind, which makes the proposition of giving a win-win situation all the way.

Understanding – Another factor that can be a powerful motivator is the potential giving has towards expanding our understanding. Helping others or volunteering builds a powerful bridge between the giver and the receiver and enhances understanding of others, their situations, their ways of life and their cultures. As we help someone we gain at least a little insight into what it is like to be them. This enlarges our knowledge and the depth of our experiences.

Personal development – By helping others we expand ourselves. We expand our circle of friends, either the people we help become our friends or we meet others like us who enjoy helping people who become our friends.

Though a truly altruistic person might not be motivated by it there are instances when giving leads to career opportunities. This is particularly applicable to young people who take on volunteering because it is a positive point to highlight on a university application or a first job application. It is entirely possible that people who start off helping others this

way live to discover that they truly enjoy it; which makes the fact that giving looks good on a resume, a nice spin off benefit as against being a primary motivator.

Fulfilment of desires – Human beings have an innate desire to help and give back to the community in which we live. Whenever we see horrendous natural disasters sweeping over countries it automatically triggers a need within us to reach out and help. When we actually do something about that trigger we fulfil that innate desire to extend ourselves in support of another. Sometimes it is not possible for us to give ourselves physically, for example, in the last month there was atmospheric chaos around the world with many countries including my own being devastated by floods. There isn’t much we can do from where we are to help the people affected but we can donate to the various charities pleading for assistance to help the victims.

This again fulfils our desire to do something to help.

Recognition – This is slightly less intrinsic a motivator than the others mentioned.

When we selflessly help others, we are recognised – by the people we help, by the organisation we help, by our community, and sometimes by the world. We are sometimes not just recognised but publicly lauded and applauded for our efforts. A good example of this is the wave of Corporate Social Responsibility programmes that most companies are riding. There are now awards for the best CSR project and this has each company trying to outdo the other in their “giving back to society” efforts. Of course society benefits from it and people involved might actually be enjoying what they do but eventually it helps that they are recognised for their efforts.

Before winding down the list, there are three other medically researched factors that can influence us to consciously or unconsciously be altruistic.

Emotional healing – Psychologists believe that emotional wounds heal faster if we set

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Spread the Love out to help others who have been damaged in similar ways. Reaching out to others takes the emphasis off our own wounds. Psychological theories aside, this is one fact that I can vouch for on a personal basis. Trying to encourage and help others stand firm in the face of adversities that I have also experienced has helped me heal my heart as much as it helped the others on the road to healing. Talking to people and encouraging them helps us see our own situations in the same light. We start realising that the same steps we are trying to make others take can be taken ourselves and soon by helping others we have helped ourselves.

Physical health benefits – Altruism or volunteering, giving back or reaching out to help, has been proven to ease the stress in the body, which results in beneficial health factors: A strengthened immune system.

A decrease in both the intensity and the awareness of physical pain.

Activation of the emotions that are vital to the maintaining good health.

Reduction of the incidence of attitudes, such as chronic hostility, that negative- ly arouse and damage the body.

The multiple benefits to the body’s systems provided by stress relief.

Experiencing a “helper’s high,” a rush of euphoria, followed by a longer peri- od of calm, after performing a kind act.

This initial rush from the “Helper’s High” is followed by a longer-lasting period of improved emotional well-being.

Release of the body’s natural painkill

ers, the endorphins as part of the “Helper’s High.”

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Enhancement of attraction to the opposite sex – Yes, you read right. Selflessness makes us more attractive to the opposite sex.

Dr Tim Phillips and colleagues from the University of Nottingham and Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, London conducted a study that concluded that there is genetic evidence that selfless or altruistic behaviour may have evolved because it was one of the qualities our ancestors looked for in a mate.

Dr Phillips says “The expansion of the human brain would have greatly increased the cost of raising children so it would have been important for our ancestors to choose mates both willing and able to be good, long-term parents. Displays of altruism could well have provided accurate clues to this and so led to a link between human altruism and sexual selection.”

Though all this can lead us to question whether true altruism is a possibility, it is my opinion that nature has neatly managed the issue by cleverly spreading the benefits of giving, to reach and envelope both the giver and the receiver. So next time we feel a happy glowing warmth in the pit of our stomachs when we are faced with a grateful smile, or we heal ourselves a little by comforting a fellow victim, or we de-stress ourselves by throwing ourselves into helping the less fortunate, or we are content that we are storing up riches in heaven, let’s cheerfully acknowledge that in giving, we receive and in receiving we give. Who says that February 14 has to only be about cards and chocolates and verbal declarations of love. Why not use the day as a springboard to give radically; perhaps materially; perhaps your time; perhaps a simple gesture of kindness or even a smile. Valentines’ Day, after all can be the world’s best excuse to reach out and spread the love!

(The author is a psychologist & counsellor. She writes for Woman Today and addresses various psychological and emotional issues. If you have questions you wish answered, write in to wtoday@omsqatar.com)

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Hands in need It is said that charity sees the need and not the cause.

Organisations that reach out to the society and to the needy are many in the country. Woman Today identifies some of them.

ROTA Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) is a Qatari-based nonprofit organisation that empowers local communities by providing access to quality primary and secondary education to children affected by crisis across Asia.

ROTA was launched in December 2005 under the patronage of HH, the Heir Apparent Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al- Thani and chaired

by HE Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa AlThani. The organisation operates under the auspices of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development and seeks to extend the Qatar Foundation’s mission to people throughout Asia.

During its first three years, ROTA has established itself as a significant player in the realm of international humanitarian relief and development, and particularly in the field of education in crisis.

From 2006 until the spring of 2008, ROTA celebrated the following key achievements: Built or rehabilitated 88 schools in 5 countries; Provided educational access to over 14,000 students; Benefited over 1,100 teachers; Created more than 500 job opportunities; Developed a volunteer base in Qatar of more than 800 individuals; Organised 6 volunteer trips and 8 local events; Established 21 partnerships; Organised 2 gala dinners; and Served as an active member of the Interagency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE).

Projects in Cambodia, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Palestine and Lebanon continue to grow and evolve, while new agreements are signed and new programmes developed. One such agree-

ment has been signed with the Syrian Trust to build two learning “discovery centers” for young people in Damascus-Syria. New projects are also under development in Yemen, Vietnam and Bangladesh.

Local focus In Qatar, ROTA works to engage young people and other community members by developing their skills and nurturing their passion addressing educational and development challenges both at home and abroad.

In November 2010, Her Excellency Sheikha AlMayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani signed a memorandum of understanding that formally brought ROTA into a significant new partnership with Mercy Corps, an international humanitarian and development agency working in more than 35 countries around the world.

The two organisations will engage in their first joint effort on the ground through a large-scale effort in Iraq. ROTA has committed $1million to a $34million community development initiative implemented

by Mercy Corps that places particular emphasis on improving access to and quality of education while engaging youth and communities in addressing their own development priorities. This programme is expected to reach a total of 1,687,500 people. ConnectROTAsia programme has conducted training for teachers in Qatar and built an online platform for a new “Knowledge Network,” which will be formally launched in the coming months. This network will allow greater engagement of educators in countries outside of Qatar.

In Qatar, ROTA has worked to engage the local community through public events and volunteerism, including the annual Wheels ‘n’ Heels event, a Ramadan awareness-raising and charity campaign, a youth volunteer trip to Nepal, and “community impact days” that put volunteers to work helping address needs in their community.

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Spread the Love HOPE QATAR “I choose not to place ‘dis’, in my ability.”

What can describe better than this confident remark by Robert M. Hensel, an accomplished poet-writer, one of the torchbearers for the 2006 Asian Games and also born with spina bifida – a birth defect that binds his body to the wheelchair but not his grit and determination.

As our society gets cognisant, efforts gear up to spread the awareness further and bring out the best in each differently abled child. HOPE Qatar, a private, non-profit training centre provides a caring atmosphere to nurture the unique potential that lies within each such child. Having commenced its activities in Qatar in the year 2005, HOPE Qatar has become a pioneer in providing Help, Opportunity, Participation and Education to children with special needs.

Armed with a dedicated team of experts, educators and specialists, the centre truly brings in a ray of hope to the special individuals. The father of a child who has been with HOPE for the past few years puts it forth –” Today my son has friends. He wakes up in the morning with a smile on his face, eager to get into his uniform, and head to HOPE school. He ensures that he reads through the day’s newspaper, because he will read out the main news in front of his school assembly. He has come a long way over the last few years.”

Every accomplishment is a big step forward, a step towards independence and building confidence. Friends of HOPE – the team of dedicated volunteers behind this mission ensures that the children are given every opportunity to rise and shine, nurturing them into valuable members of the community they live in.

Spreading awareness Friends of HOPE work relentlessly to create opportunities that would generate knowledge and awareness among the people about the needs and potentials of children with special needs. To achieve this, HOPE Qatar has participated along with corporate organisations and also hosted several campaigns and programmes. In the coming month of February, HOPE Qatar is all set to bring to Doha the message of hope by Nick Vujicic who believes in living life without limits. Born without a medical warning or explanation, Nick came into this world with neither arms nor legs. To what would be a great detriment to many, to Nick this was a challenge to be triumphed. Today owning a company at 25, he is an inspiration even to people who are born ‘able’.

Eid Charity helping the needy by giving medicines and medical advice Compassionate moves Sheikh Eid Bin Mohammad Al-Thani charitable origination was founded in the month of Ramadan in the year 1995. The Sheikh wanted to carry on with the charitable projects so he recommended that one-third of his money be used for charitable projects and to help people in need. The organization has a lot of projects which are split out across their 10 centers, there are projects helping orphans, helping families in need, there are some big projects regarding waqf etc. And there is a project which helps those who are in the prison because of debts. Building hospitals, schools, masjids etc are projects in which Eid Charity is involved.

One of the activities that Eid Charity is involved is the Winter Project, when money and other necessities are collected for the poor and needy. Though activities run around the year, Ramadan is a when most of the charity activities heat up and there is a lot of donations too made at that time of the year.Last year during Ramadan, the Organisation collected QR1 million in an hour for Pakistan flood relief, which was a commendable act.

Social Development Center “The Social Development Center seeks to develop the capacities of the family and society members in the State of Qatar through the provision of specialised programs to foster and develop these capacities, and to give the opportunity to effectively participate in society in order to build self-reliant and self-sufficient stable families.”

Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned

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Established in 1996, the Center provides professional training along with loans and funding, to make the community better suited for the labour market. It had launched ‘The First Step’ programme that aimed at discovering and strengthening the self-abilities of the young jobseekers between 18 and 30 for a successful

career.

The Center has also launched campaigns such as Kafu Campaign which aims at encouraging public participation in voluntary activities. The Vocational Campaign focuses on conducting scientific studies that aim in enhancing professionalism.

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QRCS Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) works to preserve the dignity of human kind and help the poor and afflicted.

Founded in 1978 as a voluntary association, QRCS is an international organisation that provides assistance without any discrimination as to nationality, race, region, religious belief, caste or political opinion. QRCS has been involved in many projects both on domestic as well as external level. At the domestic level the organisation undertakes several development programmes such as Empowerment, Social rehabilitation, Patients Helping Fund, Psychological support, Awareness, First Aid and many more. On the external level, the organisation carries out projects like water and sanitation maintenance, housing and accommodation facilities and healthcare programmes to name a few.

The organisation strives at influencing people

through better understanding of principles and humanitarian values.

For this, the organisation provides various courses such as First Aid course and Disaster management course to woo people to volunteer for the cause.

The organisation took steps for the treatment of children who were suffering from congenital heart defects and blindness. Recently, the organisation has successfully opened a branch of QRCS in Al-Khor.

However, the organisation admits that there are still several issues that are needed to be addressed urgently in the region. Issues like care for women, community health, disaster management need immediate attention.

Knowing the fact that the work they are involved in is not an easy one and requires a lot of dedication, QRCS is constantly looking for volunteers who could help them in achieving the objective of a peaceful and healthy nation and world.

shafallah center “Qatar, our beloved, be they human buds or wild flowers, all are blossoms, all are natural and all are beautiful, bearing Qatar’s name. Let us all work together, caring for our little buds.

Let us plant them deep in the consciousness of our land. Let us nurture them with love and care, to help them”

Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned This vision of Sheikha Mozah’s posed as a foundation for the Shafallah Center in 1999, built to provide comprehensive services to children with special needs.

The Center serves as a model for the provision of special education, therapeutic and health care support services for children with disabilities from birth to adulthood. There are special academic programmes based on different age categories and different disabilities. Other initiatives include rehabilitation and psychological services that impart different forms of therapy to these children.

QRCS helped with the treatment of children suffering from congenital heart diseases Think Pink Qatar “Think Pink Qatar (TPQ) is a tribute to my grandmother Agnus Thompson who died of Breast Cancer,” says TPQ founder Karen Al-Kharouf.

Like Karen’s grandmother, majority of women in Qatar have fallen prey to this deadly disease, only because they remain unaware of the fact that early detection of breast cancer reduces mortality by 30-35 percent.

The inspiration behind forming this organisation was to “support all women living or visiting Qatar, by raising awareness of Breast Cancer,” says Karen. This support is provided in the form of essential resources that will lead to proper medical treatment, support, and humanitarian services to ensure that each woman is treated with the utmost respect and dignity regardless of race, creed, nationality, or position.The organisation has a chain of awareness campaigns round-the-year.

However, emphasis is laid more in October – the official month of Breast Cancer Awareness.

“One of our most successful events is the TPQ – Walk for Life held at the Doha Corniche during this month. This event not only raises awareness but also unites the community to show up in Pink, and walk for a joint cause. This is a great contribution to the fight against cancer,” says Karen.For those who wish to volunteer, Karen says, “Anyone who wants to make a difference in the community by helping to raise breast cancer awareness can contact us directly through our website (thinkpinkqatar.com) or the Qatar National Cancer Society.”

And for those with time-constraints, she adds, “They can always support the cause by attending one of our events; or by social networking to spread the news.”

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Spread the Love

A heart of gold What motivates a volunteer? What do you get in return for being altruistic?

This is what Woman Today asked these volunteers. And we found that all of them have one thing in common, a passion to heal and connect with others...

Experience Speaks Neysa Hill was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2008. It was the same year her aunt who lived with the disease for more than 35 years, died. For Neysa, it was her aunt who was the inspiration to fight back the disease.

Her treatment included chemotherapy, a mastectomy, followed by radiation, “and lots of prayers!” adds Neysa.

Recounting her experience coping with the disease, she says,” Some people try to hide their diagnosis, because they are ashamed.

But I reached out to my sisters and friends for support. My mother, who was my great supporter, always reminded me that I am resilient and I can get through this.”

Her experience battling the disease made her sign up as a volunteer at Think Pink Qatar (TPQ) “I know that there are many people who also need the support that I got. I am willing to motivate others by sharing my treatment

journey with them.”

Last October, Neysa spoke at several hospitals, companies and universities, in an attempt to educate others about the importance of early diagnosis. During the TPQ-Walk for life last year, Neysa recollects seeing her friend Lucy, participating in the event. “She didn’t have the strength to walk because she was undergoing treatment, but she still showed up and supported us. Seeing her I was even more inspired to continue with my volunteering work.”Her other inspiration has been the TPQ founder Karen, who founded the organisation as a tribute to her grandmother who died of breast cancer. “When I see people who despite not being diagnosed, are as committed to the cause as survivors; I get motivated...”she says.

“Many people choose to be ignorant because they are scared. Cancer can happen to anyone. Education is a must.”

As a volunteer, Neysa doesn’t believe in carrying out individual efforts. “There are already many wonderful programmes launched to educate people about cancer.

Being a part of these efforts only makes it stronger!”

And it’s the same strength which she witnessed during the Walk. “To see all those people walk in support of themselves, their lost loved ones, and random strangers, is what I shall always remember.”

a passion to help While most young people prefer spending their free time sipping coffee and chatting or shopping around the malls, Woman Today met two young girls who prefer to volunteer. Hamda Al Hitmi, a Law undergraduate and Aysha Al Nassr pursues Business Studies at the Qatar University. Inspired by the immense charity work undertaken by HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, they are working hard towards spreading the word amongst the younger generation.

“Through our project named Sanad, we aim to reach out to the poor and tell them that we are there for them, that we are all a part of one community," says Aysha.

“As a part of this project we will visit most of the high schools in Qatar and generate awareness about the benefits of volunteering”, adds Hamda.

“After working together on several voluntary projects, we are now one with shared goals. Volunteering has helped us build confidence in ourselves and developed our interpersonal skills. Emotionally

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we are now a better person. It gives us great peace to give back to our community and country”, observe the volunteers, radiating a smile of contentment and achievement.

(For any inquiries on their project Sanad, email sanad.qatar@ gmail.com)

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“In addition to helping the society, it is our inner soul that compels us to do good for others.

Being associated with such group make us feel proud that we are able to help the needful sector of our society and share their pain. We feel immense pleasure in contributing to this humanitarian cause and would like to ask people to volunteer and be a part of the cause,” Volunteers at QRCS

share the blessing Haneen Suleiman believes that volunteering “is a sort of sharing of blessings that GOD granted us with other people who are less fortunate.”

She says, “I’ve been blessed with education, access to basic life needs – food, clean water, medical services – and a stable security status and many other blessings. Now it is my duty to support those suffering the lack of the aforementioned needs.”

Haneen keeps in mind is a verse from the Holy Quran, Surat Al Hujurat. “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)."

And with this understanding, she works with different people.

She says, “You think you know a lot until you meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and you work together and share thoughts to achieve one very noble goal of preserving human dignity. Time is never an issue for Haneen as she finds time for her volunteering activities. Her advice to others who want to volunteer is “to start soft, an hour a week is achievable – I guess – for everyone, and step by step it becomes an addiction and you will feel that something is not right if you didn’t have your “volunteering” shot for that week.”

Making a group volunteering effort, according to Haneen is the best way to start with. Haneen is currently working as a volunteer with ROTA.

“I think what makes a good volunteer is a person who has sincere and genuine intentions towards what they are volunteering for – someone who does not go into it with an ulterior motive. What keeps me motivated as a volunteer in the Qatar Professional Women's Network (QPWN) is knowing that I am helping making a difference to women’s lives and bringing women together, women in Qatar who may have felt unsupported or marginalised” Yousra Samir Volunteer at QPWN

“Passion and determination are the two skills that a volunteer must possess. And the best part about it is being able to contribute to a cause and then observe the results. Volunteering keeps me engaged in activities outside my normal workday and keeps me connected to a variety of people I most probably wouldn’t get to know if it wasn’t for QPWN." Lena Lenarcic Volunteer at QPWN

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Spread the Love

QAWS Of best buddies and furry mates

“As a full-time teacher in Doha, I chose volunteering at QAWS as a relaxing evening and weekend activity that I began in April 2010.

The shelter is located in a quiet part of Maither, remote from residences and traffic, and so provides a contrast to the hectic lifestyle in Doha and a pleasant retreat that gives the dogs and the volunteers fresh air and exercise without the inconvenience of vehicles or crowds. My apartment is too small to accommodate a pet and my visits to QAWS give me the opportunity to care for a variety of dogs. I have also encouraged other teachers and students at my school to become involved and this has produced several successful fund-raising activities for the shelter.

No matter how much I wanted to remain impartial to the animals, I can’t help but develop a special bond with certain dogs, especially as these animals have minimal contact with human companions. I have enjoyed seeing the development of two of the dogs since they arrived as playful, little puppies to beautiful, healthy dogs (Topaz and Gem in the picture). Many of the dogs at QAWS have not had a great start to life, but I hope that in the long term regular con“My reason for going to QAWS is to help in my own small tact from volunteers such as myself can make way, to care for the wonderful animals, who through no fault of their them more suitable for future adoption. The own, find themselves without anyone to care for them. dogs are always eager for human contact, affection and exercise even though some Usually the time spent there is fun, walking the lovely dogs in an amazing are a little energetic at times! A number landscape of Palm Trees and green crops - neither a common sight in Qatar. of the dogs have responded enthusiastiIt’s great too, to meet people from all walks of life who come to give just a cally to days out at the beach or visits to bit of their time to help the animals, or better still, those who are able rural areas. It is very satisfying knowto give an animal a real home. ing that you have made a difference I’ve no idea how long I’ll be staying in Qatar, but what I’m certo an animal that life has dealt such tain of, is that the time I’ve spent at QAWS will be the most an unfortunate blow. memorable and satisfying of my experiences here.”

Volunteering at QAWS really is my favorite part of the week!”

Roger Richards

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Jenny Besford

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“I love being a volunteer at QAWS, just to be with the animals is great, and to see them happy when I spend time with them is such a big reward, because for some of those animals it will be the only home they will ever know.

As a volunteer I want to make them feel loved and special. It is after all, all they want from us and so deserve!”

Michelle Stoddart

“I like to volunteer at QAWS because every time I go there I am so happy to see the animals and to be with them, and I am also very sad because I always see new animals and I know that some of them had a terrible life being dumped. And for some of the animals, it always takes so long to find a new forever home.”

Raiyn Stoddart

“Volunteering at QAWS is always the best part of my day.

There is nothing that beats giving the dogs lots of cuddles, taking them on long walks around the farm and seeing great friends who all share the same drive and desire to make the lives of these little guys a bit easier and filled with love. In a culture where animals are not given a priority and strays are left to wander the streets, the work that QAWS does is not only necessary and crucial but compassionate and unbelievable.

I imagine a time when QAWS won’t need to exist and all of our furry little friends can find forever homes.

Until that happens, I am proud to support QAWS and the tremendous work they are doing.”

Lina Serafini

about qaws The shelter that became QAWS began when a local boarding kennel opened its doors for business in May of 2003 and that same weekend saw two dogs abandoned at the kennels. What started with these two dogs progressed to a few more dogs and cats when space permitted. In these early days, the boarding kennels were able to provide a temporary home for abandoned animals and it was clear that there were people willing to take in and adopt the animals in their care.

And so the Qatar Animal Welfare Society, QAWS, was formed.

Over time the need for a purpose built facility became abundantly clear as the number of animals who came in to the kennels as ‘rescues’ rapidly increased.

In a true testament to the generous community support that QAWS would come to know and be built around, an appeal was sent out to local companies and contractors and the building of the ‘official’ QAWS shelter began.

In June 2004 the first animals were moved into their new accommodation to wait for their ‘forever homes’. Since then, QAWS has re-homed hundreds of animals to a new home where they find a second chance at life. QAWS has also become a well known place for hundreds of volunteers to offer their time participating in the running of the shelter. Whether it is walking a dog, cuddling a cat, donating newspapers or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, QAWS is a community based shelter that relies solely on its volunteers to help it run.

QAWS welcomes volunteers from all over the world who share a common goal, the welfare of the animals not just in its care but for those everywhere and the hope that one day all these animals can find their ‘happily ever after’.

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Spread the Love

Fundraising ideas raising money is a great way of interacting with people and doing something for the greater good; here are some of Woman Today’s top ideas, ready, get set, start organising!

by Orna ballout

Sponsored activity

Whether you choose a run, swim, skydive or fast – sponsored events are not only good for raising money but a fun way of getting fit (except for fasting!) and meeting new people.

Either link up with a company to sponsor the event, or it’s even possible to organise this completely yourself. Choose a cause/charity you would like to raise money for, create an event on Facebook and then add all of your friends and tell them to spread the word. CreCre ate a sponsor form and send it to the participants involved to gather funds, and voila, at the day of the event collect the money and donate it to your chosen charity.

Raffle/Auction

Get a company to sponsor some raffle prizes and organise a raffle or auction. This can be anything from a low key office raffle to a glitzy and glamglam orous evening out at a restaurant/ hotel. CompaCompa nies will be more than willing to help when they know proceeds are for a worthy cause. If it’s a work raffle, simply buy a small raffle ticket book and sell tickets to your co-workers for a set price.

With a larger event, a little more organisation will be required.

Mufti day at work

This will take you back to your childhood days when all the kids would get super excited at the thought of a non-uniform day! It’s simple, arrange with your boss to coordinate with the office that for one select day everyone can wear their own clothes into work, and in return, everyone must donate some money to a selected charity.

44

February 2011

Cake sale

Don’t you just love baking cakes, and more importantly, scoffing them! From small fairy cakes to a mouth-watering black forest gateau, whatever you decide to create, these beauties are guaranteed to be yummy and encourage a sale. Walk around your office on lunch break with your scrumptious offeroffer ings and tell people about the reason behind the sale. To make more money, let everyone in on the baking fun, for this, people should be assigned to make something different each day and sell them accordingly. It will be a sweet month, so you’ll just have to make sure you put in extra hours at the gym!

Car boot sale

Everyone loves a bargain and a car boot sale is the perfect place to find one. Arrange with your friends/family and co-workers to gathgath er all their unwanted belongings (that are in a presentable state) and pack them up in the car boot. Facebook and Twitter are useful tools to spread the word of the event; just arrange a location and time for everyone to park up their vehicles and let the selling begin.

Ebay sale

Ebay is a great site for selling second hand phones, clothing that doesn’t fit or items you barely use. The site usually charges a small fee to put items online, however, sometimes they have free listing days to encourage peopeople to participate and its worth putting your products up on one of these days.

Themed hand-craft sale

It’s much easier to sell things for a specific occasion; so each month you feel like there is a worthy event in which you can coordinate your craft sale, go for it. The most prominent ones, are the likes of Halloween, mother’s day, or more topically, Valentine’s Day. So for this upcomupcom ing valentines, transform your home into cupid heaven and design lots of quirky cards, or little gifts, homemade scarves/beaded jewellery etc and sell them to your friends/family/colleagues and donate the proceeds to your chosen charity.

2011 February

45

Spread the Love There are 925 million undernourished people in the world today.

That means one in seven people do not get enough food to be healthy and lead an active life.

Abolishing hunger

h

A herculean task undertaken by WFP

unger and malnutrition are in fact the number one risk to the health worldwide – greater than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.

Among the Millennium Development Goals which the United Nations has set for the 21st century, halving the proportion of hungry people in the world is top of the list. Whereas good progress was made in reducing chronic hunger in the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s, hunger has been slowly but steadily rising for the past decade.

World Food Programme (WFP) plays a major role in reducing poverty and hunger in 34 out of Organisation of Islamic Countries’ 57 member states.

In 2010, WFP planned beneficiaries in the Muslim world was more than 54 million representing more than half the total number WFP is assisting worldwide.

“The highest risk countries in our region are Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt), Sudan and Yemen,” says Ahraf Hamouda, Senior Partnership & Business Development Manager, United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)

oPt In the occupied Palestinian territory WFP provided last year vital food assistance to more than 800,000 of the most vulnerable non-refugee Palestinians.

It currently assists 32,000 non-refugee beneficiaries in the West Bank and 15,145 people in the Gaza Strip living in selected urban areas; they receive food vouchers worth $12 (QR43.7) per month/per person.

SUDAN Widespread destruction and population displacement caused by decades of war and conflict further exacerbated by recent poor harvests and high food prices has kept Sudan engulfed in a humanitarian crisis. *In 2010 WFP was assisting close to 11 million Sudanese (one quarter of the population); 4.6 million in Darfur, 4.3 million in Southern Sudan and 1.7 million in the Central, East and Transitional areas.

In the South, the number of food insecure people quadrupled following a severe drought in 2009. WFP scaled up its operation in the 2010 in response, meeting increased demands for food assistance and helping avert a humanitarian crisis.

In Darfur, WFP’s emergency assistance has kept malnutrition at bay by reaching 3.8 million people during the height of the lean season and expanding blanket supplementary feeding to reach 500,000 children under the age of five.

YEMEN Yemen is ranked as one of the most food insecure countries in the world, according to the Global Hunger Index (2009).

One in three Yemenis (7.2 million people) suffers from chronic hunger; severe food insecurity levels are as high as 12 percent impacting more than 2.7 million Yemenis WFP seeks to reach more than 2.2 million people per month with much needed food assistance including: 300,000 people displaced by the fighting in Sa’ada 30,000 refugees from Somalia 1.1 million Yemenis facing food and nutrition insecurity, including 321,000 children under five years of age and 44,000 pregnant and lactating mothers.

If you want to do your bit, go to www.wfp.org and find out how.

(WFP is the largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each year WFP feeds more than 90 million people, including 20 million school children, in more than 70 countries.)

46 WT_ Fubruary '11.indd 46

February 2011

2/7/11 11:45:19 AM

health &

fitness

Yogic relief

for Depression

by Jacki wooDworTh

A

s it turns out mom om was right. 'stand tand up straight' is a good start to feeling better. not only was mom om right, turns out she was also your first yoga teacher. The ancient art of yoga guides us to a more balanced, healthier way of life. complete omplete with breathing techniques, stretching and strengthening postures for the body, increased awareness of self through mindful meditation practices, ethical advises and even healthful eating suggestions. allll this can help us alleviate a myriad of ailments, including disorders such as depression.

Depression has reached epidemic proportions. The world orld health organisation rganisation (who) ( ) estimates over 40 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and the figure is increasing. Depression is a multi facfac eted mood disorder, affecting all aspects of the self – mind, body, emotions and spirit. when depressed, we're plagued with feelings of hopelessness, helphelp lessness, and worthlessness, our bodies feel letharlethar gic, or anxious, sleep and appetite either increase or decrease and our thinking patterns become negative and 'stuck', sometimes to the point where we quesques tion our very existence. such uch a multi-faceted disordisor der requires a multi-dimensional solution. as a social worker and yoga teacher, i've witnessed yoga as part of this solution for many individuals.

iff practised regularly and properly, yoga improves physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. physical hysical postures and breathing techniques increase the circulation of oxygen, blood, and endorphins to the body and brain resulting in an elevation in mood, energy and clarity of thought. meditation practices help us to recognise negative thought patterns and to rest the busy mind. attending classes with like-minded people reduces the sense of isolation, a common aspect of depression.

Try the following basic yoga breathing technique to help release body tensions and settle the busy mind associated with depression.

yogiC three-Part breath (dirga PRAnAYAMA): sitit up straight on a chair with your back slightly away from the back of the chair. This technique is about bringing conscious awareness to your breath and about taking slow (no hyperventilating) deep breaths through the nose to fill the body with oxygen. Start by taking a slow, deep inhale. as you exhale slowly, relax your shoulders away from your ears allowing your chest to open and expand while bringing shoulshoul der blades toward each other at your back. on your next slow inhale, direct the air into your lower lungs, feeling an expansion into your belly. place your hands above and below your navel to feel this expansion as

your lungs fill with air. This is part one. Exhale slowly.

On the next inhale feel the air filling into the middle of your lungs. leaving eaving one hand on your belly, move the other hand up to your ribs so you can feel this expansion. This is part 2. exhale. xhale. on the next inhale feel the air filling into the upper lungs, again leaving a hand on your belly move your other hand up to the base of your throat, feel this expansion. This is part three. exhale. now ow put it all together on the next inhale, consciously feeling the air filling your lungs in the sequence – lower, middle, upper. on the exhale, be aware of the air leaving the body in reverse, 'pouring' the air out of the body from upper, then midmid dle, then lower lungs. practice this three-part breath for 3-5 minutes, then return to normal breathing. you y body and mind should feel more alert, yet calm and relaxed. research esearch is increasingly demonstrating that if practiced regularly, under the instruction of a qualified teacher and at a level suited to your abilities, yoga helps alleviate stress and depression. soo sit up straight, take a deep breath, find a good class, and for goodness sake call your mom n namaste.

(Jacki woodworth teaches yoga and mindfulness at yama y y studios. for more informayoga tion please see www.yamayogastudios.com)

* If you or someone you know has been suffering such symptoms for more than two weeks, contact a mental Health professional for assistance.

2011 February

47

health &

fitness

Chew on this "i have made it a ruLe to Give everY tooth oF mine a ChanCe, and when i eat, to Chew everY Bite thirtY two timeS. to thiS ruLe i owe muCh oF mY SuCCeSS in LiFe." William Gladstone

by nicole Van haTT a em aTT

48

February 2011

w

hen iTT comes To o increased heal healTh, iT’s noTT jusT whaT whaT we ea eaTT buT how we ea eaTT. digesTion acTually begins in The mouTh, where conTac T T wiTh our TeeTh and digesTive Tac enzymes in our saliva break down food. buT These days mosTT of us rush Through The he whole ea eaTing experience, barely acknowledging wha whaTT we’re puTTing in our mouThs. wee ea eaTT while disTracTed – working, reading, TTalking alking and wa waTTching Television – and swallow our food pracTically whole. on an average we chew each biTe only eighT Times. iT’s no wonder ThaT haT many people have digesTive problems. haT

ReCIPe OF THe MOnTH: Quinoa Pilaf

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), is a nutritional powerhouse with ancient origins. it was originally culti cultivated by the incas more than 5,000 years ago; they referred to it as the “mother of all grains.” it contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a great source of protein for vegetarians. Quinoa is also high in magnesium, fibre, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, manganese, riboflavin and zinc. while quinoa is widely considered a grain, it’s actually the seed of a plant called chenopodium or goosefoot, related to chard and spinach. Quinoa is a gluten-free grain and has a similar effect as other whole grains in helping to stabilize blood sugar. it has a waxy protective coating called saponin which can leave a bitter taste. for best results, rinse quinoa before you cook it or even soak it for a few hours or overnight. When cooked, it has a fluffy, slightly crunchy texture. Try it in soups, salads, as breakfast porridge or as its own side dish. for quinoa, and whole grains in general, the majority of digestion occurs in the mouth through chewing and exposure to saliva. for optimal nutrition and assimilation, it is vital to chew your grains well and with awareness. find a calm place, without distractions, to sit down for your meal. make it a habit to chew each bite 20 times or more. see how this simple practice can help your digestion and overall focus for the rest of your day.

saliva breaks down food into simple sugars, creating a sweet taste. The more we chew, the sweeter our food becomes, so we don’t crave those after-meal sweets. chewing reduces digestive distress and improves assimilation, allowing our bodies to absorb maximum nutrition from each bite of food. more chewing produces more endorphins, the brain chemicals responsible for creating good feelings. it’s also helpful for weight loss, because when we are chewing well, we are more apt to notice when we are full. in fact, chewing can promote increased circulation, enhanced immunity, increased energy and endurance, as well as improve skin health and stabilise weight.

Taking time with a meal, beginning with chewing, allows for enjoyment of the whole experience of

yield

Minutes

servings

4

3

FOOD OOD FOCuS: QuInOA

there are Many great reasons to slow down and Chew your food.

PreP tiMe

eating: the smells, flavours and textures. It helps us to how appreciation for the abundance in our lives and to develop patience and self-control.

The power of chewing is so great that there are stories of concentration camp survivors who, when others could not, made it through with very little food by chewing their meagre rations up to 300 times per bite of food. for most of us 300 chews is a daunting and unrealistic goal. however, you can experience the benefits of chewing by increasing to 30 chews per bite. Try it and see how you feel.

Try eating without the TV, computer, blackberry, newspaper or noisy company. instead just pay attention to the food and to how you are breathing and chewing.

This kind of quiet can be disconcerting at first, since we are used to a steady stream of advertising, news, media, email and demands from others. but as you create a new habit, you will begin to appreciate eating without rushing. yyou have to eat every day – why not learn to savour and enjoy it?

Cooking tiMe

30-40 Minutes

IngReDIenTS: 1 cup quinoa 2 1/4 cups water or stock 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup walnut pieces 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley pinch of salt

DIReCTIOnS:

1 2 3 4 5

. Rinse quinoa in fine mesh strainer until water runs clear.

. boil the water and add quinoa and salt, cover and reduce heat. . after 15 minutes add cranberries and walnuts to top; do not stir. . cook 5 minutes more, until all the liquid is absorbed.

. Remove from heat, add parsley and fluff with fork, cover and let sit for 3-5 minutes and serve.

The writer is an executive wellness coach and co-founding Director of art of abundant living. her passion is to support people as they create their best life in abundance and balance. art of abundant living provides corporate wellness programmes, executive and career coaching, nutrition, cooking and lifestyle classes, and one-to-one wellness coaching that transforms lives.

2011 February

WT_ Fubruary '11.indd 49

49 2/7/11 11:45:27 AM

stYle

stop

ComforT: ComforT T: The key ConCepT

T

here’s nothing better than cosying up on the couch after a tough day at the office. The most important aspect is comfort and with the new lari sofa from boconcept oncept this is achievable. The lari sofa isn’t just breathtakingly beautiful and chic, it comes with adjustable headrests and easily adapts to your desired sitsit ting position with its soft cushion seats. even those with a big family have plenty of room for the little ones to squeeze on, meaning there’ll be no fighting for the best seat. The lari ari is available in 80 different fabrics and leathers and can be customised in size, look and feel.

T

on The Wedge

his spring, h&m is proud to be working with the cult shoe label swedish hasbeens, to bring its wooden-soled style to the rest of the world. for h&m, swedish hasbeens have created three wooden-soled styles which will become wardrobe essentials this spring. There’s the strappy wedge, with three buckle straps at the ankle and a progression of straps going over the foot, all sitting on a wooden wedge to give the gladiator look an unexpected twist. Then there’s the heeled summer sandal with one ankle strap, which comes in cream and red on a pale wooden base. And finally there’s a peep-toe slip-in wedge on a wooden sole, with snake-effect leather which is laced on top. swedish hasbeens are a perfect example of how fashion and fun can also be naturally sustainable.

50

February 2011

In Theory

N

eT-a-porTer.com, the world’s premier online luxury fashion retailer, is delighted to announce the launch of Theyskens’ Theory. belgian designer olivier Theyskens, has joined forces with new yyork-based label Theory, infusing his ubiquitous cool into this highly anticipated collection.

Theyskens has created a line of conceptual tailoring cut from luxurious fabrics, bringing an approach to fashion that is more versatile while in keeping with the brand’s core values. for spring 11 the collection captures many different moods, from a graphic minimal palette to artistic brush stroke prints to fluid silks and denim all while tempering the androgyny of its tailoring, jeans and separates with the feminine touch of blouses and dresses.

BeAUTyfUL B

T

his gorgeous new fragrance from calvin klein really lives up to its name, beauty. not only is it packed in an inviting, sleek bottle which imitates female curves, it smells delicious with beautiful hints of neo-lily: a new interpretation of lily, ambrette seeds, jasmine and cedarwood. it’s a truly feminine yet sophisticated fragrance, which is exactly what francisco costa, women’s creative Director of The calvin collection, had in mind, as she reveals: ““a a beautiful woman is sensual and strong.

She exudes confidence and sophistication from the inside out.”

STArT r yo rT y Ur dAy dA WITh A SpLASh

M

ake a positive splash on the environment and start your day the earth lover’s way. inject some fun into your daily life by showering with the new eco-conscious 100 percent biodegradable shower gel range from The body shop – the earth will thank you, and so will your body! with these biodegradable shower gels, you can have a blast in the shower with silky soft, soap-free, non-drying formulas that are gentle on your skin and the planet. earth lovers™ shower gels are infused with goodness, featuring a blend of herb and fruit extracts and community fair Trade aloe vera to leave your skin naturally fragranced and super soft. choose from a selection of six refreshing fragrances, such as lemon & thyme or fig & rosemary, to keep your senses alive. it also comes in a fragrance-free formula for those who prefer to wash without scent.

2011 February

51

around

town

Lose Control

W

e all need a little TLC and escape from reality sometimes.

Often the best way of achieving this is delving in a little self-indulgence with some beauty treatments. We called on Six Senses Spa at Sharq Village to review their ability of helping one rejuvenate and unwind.

Stepping into the spa on a crisp Friday morning, I’m immediately transported to a realm of fairytale fantasy where living like an Arabian princess quickly becomes a reality. This is achieved by the tasteful decor that dominates the spa surroundings; where each aspect feels like it has been incredibly designed to mimic a traditional souq. Huge wooden doors, large oil-burners and a magnificent water feature comple-

52 WT_ Fubruary '11.indd 52

ment this relaxing aura.

The friendly Swedish Spa Manager, Sofia, greets me and briefly tells what to expect from my two treatments, Jojoba Body Scrub and Hot Stone Massage, while escorting me through the myriad of souqesque style corridors leading to the changing room.

I’m impressed with the inviting spa features including hot/cold lunge pools, steam room and sauna. It is recommended to arrive early to avail of these offerings and relax the muscles before a treatment. However, due to a late Thursday night and an early 10am start, I didn’t make it in quite on time!

Jojoba body scrub After a couple of minutes lounging in the ‘relaxation room’ which contains comfortable sun beds and is nicely heated thanks to large glass windows that fill it with natural light; my therapist Rima from Indonesia

calls me for the commencement of my treatment. To be honest, I was a little apprehensive as I mounted myself on to the bed as I’ve heard body scrubs can be quite painful. I’m immediately put at ease when I get a whiff of sweet smelling oils, and before I know it, my body is being coated in same.

The joboba scrub is a simple procedure; oil is massaged in to the skin, followed by a sprinkle of joboba (texture similar to fine sugar) which is scrubbed over the body. The sensation is pleasantly relaxing and not at all what I was expecting. I felt a slight hint of discomfort on my legs for a moment, largely self-inflicted from exercise the previous day – a pastime my muscles aren’t simply very used to!

Every part of my body was given a good scrub of the gentle jojoba and it’s really possible to feel the exfoliating benefits. After an hour it was time to wash off in a blissfully hot shower. It’s not recommended to

February 2011

2/7/11 11:45:41 AM

reviewed by orna ballouT

of Your senses use body wash after receiving a scrub, as it can close up the pores, but i needed a wee bit of assistance as the ingredients proved to be more than a little stubborn. however, when it eventually budged, the results were incredible and my skin felt great, smooth and soft, just like a baby.

hot stone Massage after my exfoliation bliss, it was on to treatment two, a hot stone massage. my therapist, rima, was quick to advise me that i should alert her if the stones were too hot for my skin. if you fail to do this, it can result in skin burn. if i wasn’t in such a state of relaxation, i would probably have gone into panic mode at this point; and I did briefly toy with the idea of not being able to tell whether a stone was too hot to handle because i was so relaxed! however, up on to the bed i went for round two.

The massage started similarly to the scrub, with oils being rubbed all over my skin. i’m told that the lavender and jasmine oil used is part of the new product range, holistic skin Therapy range, exclusive to the spa. The massage techniques are similar to a swiss or holistic massage with the key highlight being the use of the hot stone.

The contact of stone on my skin was a really pleasurable sensation and very calming. The stones are so subtle and smooth that it’s actually difficult to tell whether it is a hand or a stone doing the work! every part of the body is worked over, from your head right down to the tops of your toes. one of the clever tactics is to place hot stones on various parts of the body, like along the spine or in the palms of your hands, which I’m told helps improve the flow of energy through the body. The specific stones in use are volcanic lava stones which retain heat well and

JoJoba body sCrub 60 minutes for QR500

hot stone Massage 90 minutes for QR750 help the muscles relax much quicker. after 90 minutes of what can only be described as pure bliss, and where i attempted very hard not to daze into the land of nod, it was time to leave my pampered princess thoughts and get back to the reality of the bustling Doha life. one last small treat was a trip to the relaxation room for some hot ginger tea, dates and nuts; truly the icing on the cake of my delightful pampering journey 2011 February

53

around

town

s e k a c cuffap aCtorY a gastronomic treat

v

alentines is the time of the year when the world is filled with joy and romance. so how about presenting your special someone a creative cupcake someone baked with love, care and a

standard checks to ensure the quality and hygiene of the product.” much attention is paid towards the designing of the cupcakes at the cupcakes factory. The cakes are designed creatively, keeping in mind the occasion and personality of the person for whom it is being ordered. chouman says, “we discuss various designing ideas with our customers and then make the cakes according to the details they have given.

The motive is to make the occasion all the more special to them by providing a cake which has a reflection of their personality. having said that designing is the integral part in the making of cupcakes, we do realise that good health of our customers is the priority and hence we don’t use anything unhealthy. Designing of the cakes is done by using sugar, cream and edible colour which is not harmful for the human body.” “we have a special kitchen with expert chefs from all around the world. The kitchen consists of an executive chef and 10 other kitchen members out of which four are just specialised in decorating cupcakes. we also have a Quality assurance Team

by pragaT raga i shukla ragaT

whose work is to keep a check on the quality and designing of the cakes before they are delivered to the people. our motive at cupcakes factory is to provide quality food to our customers and leave them longing for more,” he says.

The cupcakes are prepared under different categories such as birthday cupcakes, character cupcakes, kid special cupcakes and 3D cupcakes and are available in 16 different flavours out of which 11 are standard flavours but the rest are created specially by the factory. wide variety of cakes are being provided to the customers. Treat cupcakes, eminem cupcakes, sneakers cupcakes and ice cream cupcakes are a few special ones on the menu.

This concept is being introduced for the first time in the region. after the huge success they have received here, cupcakes factory is planning to open seven more outlets in the country and have plans to expand their franchise in other parts of middle-east too. if your birthday is around the corner, or if you are in a mood to share happy moments with your friends, cupcakes factory is the place for you

i have made it a ruL ru ruLe Lee to G Give everY tooth oF mine a Chan C ChanCe, hanC Ce, e, and when i eat, to Chew Chew ever everY Y Bite Bite thirtY thirtY two timeS time S. to S. to thiS thiS timeS. ru ruL Lee i owe muC mu Ch oF Ch oF mY mY Su S uCC CCeSS CCe eSS in Li LLiFe. iFFe. e. wi w iLL LLiam GL G Lad adS Stone tone ruLe muCh SuCCeSS wiLLiam GLadStone

dash of romance? if you have any such plans, then cupcakes factory is the best place to tickle your taste buds. and the good news is that they have special cupcakes designed for the Valentines. cupcakes factory which opened its two outlets at Vilaggio and landmark shopping malls in December last year has already become popular among its customers in a very short time. soft, creamy and mouth-watering cupcakes are prepared by professional chefs who bring together their experience to produce cupcakes that are scrumptious and high in quality. Talking to Woman Today general manager of cupcakes factory, houssam chouman says, “80 percent of the ingredients used are imported from various parts of the world and goes through various

54

February 2011

2011 February

WT_ Fubruary '11.indd 55

55 2/7/11 11:46:04 AM

around

town

Sheikh Mohammed sets off on an

expedition

C

hairman and co-founder of Musafir.com, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdalla Al-Thani, in collaboration with Reach Out to Asia (ROTA), took off on a three week expedition to climb Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, the entire proceeds of which will be donated to ROTA. As a role model for many youngsters, Sheikh Mohammed says, “It’s not just about making it or not; I will keep at it until I complete what I set off to achieve. That is the message I want to send, keeping at your goals until you conquer them, an important lesson for our generation.”

NUQ students report from Turkey Carluccio’s Italian treat to Doha

T

he acclaimed Italian café, Carluccio has opened its restaurant and foodshop for public at the PearlQatar. The restaurant is a perfect weekend destination for families to drop in to enjoy a leisurely Italian breakfast or its lip-smacking signature dishes for dinner. Children have their own dedicated menu that caters to their choices as well.

In addition to dining, Carluccio’s deli and foodshop offers diners an array of traditional oils, pastas, sauces and bread to recreate the Italian taste at their homes.

56 WT_ Fubruary '11.indd 56

A

s part of the broadcast journalism class at Northwestern University in Qatar (NUQ), a group of students took a week-long trip to Istanbul, Turkey to investigate the popularity of Turkish television in the Middle East region and the popularity of the country as a travel destination for Arabs. Their documentaries are to be screened publicly later.

The purpose of the trip was to give the students an opportunity to do field reporting outside of Qatar in order to develop their skills as future media professionals. The field trip coincided with CNN International’s airing of many of the hot topic issues covered by the students during the week.

February 2011

2/7/11 11:46:10 AM

WT_ Fubruary '11.indd 57

2/7/11 11:46:11 AM

around

town

en route to a

paraDise

as parTT of 'THe TH Pea P RL-qaTa T R LIFe Ta LIFeST eSTyL y e ex exCuRSI u onS on PRogRamme Ramme Ramme amme',', 45 vip ladies from The francophone ladies associaT ssocia ion (fla) were TTaken on a ‘dream Trip’ To ssociaT o explore Qa QaTTTar’s ar’s largesT real-esTa TaT aTe venTure. ure. This mul mulTi-billion dollar island had Them all enThralled wiTh iTs magnificence, beauTy and lavish lifesTyle...

Woman Today takes its readers on a ride...

Tower 31

by cassey oliVeira

9.05 am

The Oyster...

This two-storey centre houses an excellent model of the pearl-Qatar. The ladies listen with rapt attention to the presentation of the model, as the lights gleam over the entire mini-replica, revealing intricate details.

9.08 am

“I stay at the Pearl, but have never got the opportunity to see this side of it.”

Grace Solecki

9.27 am

Photography: Bosco menezes m

58

February 2011

“This boat trip is amazing. It’s a bit cold though!”

Joelle Chalabi

Porto Arabia – the heart of the luxury Island!

The pearl-Qatar’s main harbour offers a plethora of elegant residential towers and townhouses. and amidst these blocks is Tower 31, where the ladies were shown around.

“The view is simply beautiful!”

Isabelle Landreau

after the presentation, the ladies are excited to get on-board.

10.08 am

Lost in paradise... as they sailed across the beautiful blue waters, the ladies were mesmerised by the beautiful panorama. cool breeze, soft music in the backdrop and a hazy view of glass buildings – tranquillity beyond words!

10.26 am

As the boats veered to the right, this white super yacht was spotted peeking out of the dynamic shopping arcade.

This precinct bustles with a selection of renowned fashion brands, and worldclass food and beverage outlets.

Outdoor swimming pool

Touring the flats...

The ladies were taken around the tower to give them an idea of the leasing and costing of the residential area.

11.10 am

Nathalie, Joelle, Valerie

Spacious bedrooms offering a breathtaking view

The kitchen, complete with built-in German appliances

11.41 am

(L-R) Josh Rasolofonjoa, Mango Tree Restaurant Manager; Samer Kassas, Senior Events Planning Officer, UDC and Carla Coetzee, Salon Manager of Dados Beauty, draw a name. The lucky ladies received gift cards and vouchers from Dados Beauty, Carluccio and Mango Tree.

12.17 am

"The flats are very modern and elegant.

Even the view from the balcony is amazing!"

Nathalie

“The swimming pool area is beautiful!”

Valerie

Back to the Oyster...

Fully equipped state-of-the-art gym

Mary Martin Ponroy, the trip coordinator for FLA, says

“It was a dream for these ladies to visit the Pearl! They got to experience a luxurious way of life.”

The Pearl-Qatar Lifestyle Excursion Programme:

Initiated by Samer from UDC in February 2010, he credits the success of this trip to the sponsors: CDC, The Pearl-Qatar Residential, The Oyster, Mango Tree Restaurant, Dados Beauty, Carluccio Restaurant and Cugini. He says, " The idea of this programme is to offer ladies groups a wonderful day with a lifestyle experience full of enjoyable fun at the Pearl, touring outlets and services as well as invest,ent opportunities, and perhaps as a result becoming regular visitors, or even residents, of this successful project."

Mary from FLA with Samer from UDC

2011 February

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aloud

thinking

What We can do Without...

... AnD WHAT COuLD MAKe IT beTTeR, OR WORSe?

Copying your boss on a mail meant for a friend/colleague’s eyes only. especially if the mail is a bitch-fest about the boss. what makes it worse, and more than a little stupid, is to have the friend/colleague try to step in and ‘smoothen’ ruffled feathers. what makes it better is a bit of humour, stepping up for yourself or 'what-the-heck-everyone’s-done-it-sometime' nonchalance.

A working Saturday, when the rest of the city is out on the beach or dunes lapping up the wonderful winter weather. what makes it worse is awol colleagues, leaving you to pick up the load. what would make it better is a heavy downpour that makes the dune/ beach-bums regret their decision.

Having your daughter break her leg the same day you are shifting homes and your babysitter has taken a French leave. what makes it worse is for it to have happened after you are just done settling into the new house. The pain only prolongs. what makes it better is to have friends you can dump on any time.

Watching a size-perfect gulping down brownie obsession at TgIF, after polishing off a juicy steak, when all you’ve had is a boring Caesar salad. what could make it better is if some of the chocolate sauce ran down her lily-white organza number. what makes it worse is her stopping to help you with the baby pram and your 10 shopping bags of plus-sized clothes.

Working a 7-or 8-hour day to the accompaniment of trumpeting sounds and other bodily acoustics. what makes it worse is having your olfactory senses assaulted simultaneously. what could make it better is to have the liberty to laugh out loud or just join the party.

Someone else bags your dream job. what makes it better is that that someone is a good friend. what makes it worse is that you have to pretend to be happy.

By Vani Saraswathi

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February 2011

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