With the Warriors: In conversation with Mr. Eugene Das, Founder & Managing Trustee of WWH Charitable Foundation

WWH (We Will Help) Charitable Foundation is a Public Trust established in 2013 and caters to people living in slums/backward villages. WWH aims to uplift dwellers and bring them closer to the mainstream population. The Trust particularly focusses on tribal/Adivasi/slum villages within the metropolitan city of Mumbai.

 

What were the challenges faced by the NGO during the Pandemic? And how did you overcome the same?

WWH works effectively across four main programs/projects. These programs are undertaken keeping in mind the needs and requirements of our beneficiaries. The four projects are the four quadrants of human living that we hope to provide a holistic developmental opportunity for those living in marginalized conditions.

In the midst of the 27 tribal hamlets of about 3000 acres of Aarey Milk Colony, with a total population of about 90,000, we ardently carry out our services and activities by uplifting these communities and empowering them to get closer to the mainstream society and thrive. We request you to kindly go through the short video link to get a glimpse of our activities:

Our Trust is registered with authorities and is eligible for accepting donations from all sources such as CSR, individuals, etc. The tribal villagers within the jungles have no source of food due to the on-going pandemic and its consequential lockdown & restrictions. They don’t have ration cards as well, which unfortunately cuts them off from government aid in the region. They are in a dire state and are relying on our help and support. We have been providing whatever food we can source from like-minded individuals till date.

How did you help the tribal and slum dwellers during the pandemic?

It has been a year since WWH (We Will Help) Charitable Foundation first stepped out to help and feed tribal village hamlets in the interior forests of Aarey during the pandemic that struck us last year. During the lockdown, we reached out to other tribal villages and slums across Mumbai, where COVID-19 had struck havoc in the lives of many.

We wanted to ensure that no one sleeps hungry. We tapped the street dwellers and neglected homeless people during this crisis. We provided daily-wage workers with grocery packages. Since the program’s launch, we served over 96,400 nutritious meals to tribal families and daily-wage earners. As the efforts continue, we have reached out to thousands of families, giving out over 32,600 nutritional supplements, over 34,800 grocery care kits, 12,850 face masks, and 6,750 hygiene care kits.

What kind of problems did you face during the pandemic?

We have a strong team of volunteers who work dedicatedly. Funding has been the main challenge during the pandemic. The lack of funds has made it difficult to gain solid footing we needed as an NGO in times of the pandemic. However, through internal efforts and those coming from our volunteers, we managed to satiate every need till date. Identifying and eliciting more funding will be highly beneficial to reach out to other tribal villages too.

How has the NGO benefitted from CSR funds?

We approach CSR using a well-drafted proposal that helps corporates understand our initiatives. As we have always been tied with tribal social development, corporates have extended funding in kind and in cash by providing smokeless stoves to the women of Aarey Forests, solar lighting, cooking equipment, computer training to the youth, library setup in the heart of the Forests, health camps and initiatives of sanitation and hygiene, etc.

We have received CSR funds from various organizations in the past. However, during the ongoing pandemic this has become difficult and are trying to get funds from various CSR sources.

Why was WWH founded?

“WWH (We Will Help) Charitable Foundation was born out of the need to serve tribal villages in the midst of urbanization in Mumbai City. The dire conditions of people who are so pulled away from the hustle-bustle of the city made us realize how we are continuously only tied up in our rat races to the top. Being a part of the suburban Mumbai area, there were villages that did not even have electricity since India gained its Independence in 1947.

WWH in every way possible has involved itself to drive social and community development, the upliftment of women, and focus on health, food, and education as the main motivators of change in such a backward society that struggles with the modernization of everything around it. People in these villages cannot sustain any longer on farming alone, they have to understand how to integrate with mainstream society and this can only be achieved through positive systemic change. WWH aims for this at every step along the way.

We are grateful that Crowdteck understands this. Thank you for approaching us and giving us a potential platform to share our cause with the world.”

 

 

Write to me at nawal@thecrowdbridge.com

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Commercial Bank of Qatar seeks to develop next generation golfers

The Commercial Bank of Qatar has entered into an arrangement with the Education City Golf Club
(ECGC) to help the next generation of golfers to evolve through development of golf projects for youth and women.

Participation in golf is linked to a wide range of physical, emotional, social and cognitive benefits that can last well into adulthood; it is possible to play golf for life. It is important to develop an appreciation of the game at a young age and the goal is to build an early commitment to playing golf with the youth of Qatar, a press released issued here said.

Commercial Bank will also introduce over 100 new women to golf in the private coaching area at
Education City Golf Club. The aim is to encourage healthy participation in sport and develop a
community of women golfers in Qatar.
#c

Other initiatives also include a special series of Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Qualifiers, as members of ECGC will be given the opportunity to qualify for the 2021 Qatar Masters Pro AM to play alongside the European Tour professionals, with a series of exciting Qualifying events.

Speaking on behalf of Commercial Bank, Hussain al-Abdulla, EGM Chief Marketing Officer, said:
“Commercial Bank is excited to be partnering with Education City Golf Club, to develop the future of golf in Qatar. Part of our CSR strategy is to develop women in sport and starting with golf we feel it will add benefit to the community with the low impact outdoor sport. We are also excited to be planning the 2021 Qatar Masters and we hope we can continue with our annual event as planned.”

Part of Commercial Banks partnership will include the Qatar Masters, a tournament that is considered
Qatar’s annual ‘must-attend’ sporting and social event, first held in 1998 and widely known for bringing together the world’s best golf talent; the likes of Sergio Garcia, Rory Mcllroy, Adam Scott, Justin Rose,Ernie Els and Henrik Stenson have all competed in past years.

The Commercial Bank partnership with Education City aims to support and emphasise community and
family activities as it aims to encourage young Qataris to take up the sport and to grow the game of golf in Qatar.

In representation of Education City Golf Club, the General Manager Michael Braidwood stated: “Our
commitment to developing golf amongst the youth and women has been a priority of ours since our
infancy. The golf programs we have developed are designed to encourage new golfers and help them
quickly progress to playing on a golf course. We are grateful to Commercial Bank for their support and commitment in helping develop the sport of golf here in Qatar.”

By Nawal Mukadam
Email: nawal@crowdteck.in

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Ahlibank, HMC conduct a blood donation drive

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility policy, Qatari owned financial company Ahlibank
conducted a blood donation camp at its head office in Al Sadd, in collaboration with Hamad Medical
Corporation (HMC).

The drive was part of the Bank’s community engagement that aims to support the Blood Bank of
Qatar’s national blood banks and to increase awareness of the value of daily blood donors to aid
people in need.

The management stated that they were “incredibly proud” to collaborate of HMC and thanked them
for their continued efforts to further raise awareness of the value of blood donation.
This initiative is also in line with the bank’s pledge to help combat the spread of COVID-19 which has been handled to co-operate with all preventive health and safety initiatives to protect donors.
Ahlibank’s management was proud of the great response and support it got from its workers, a
company official said.

By: Nawal Mukadam
Email Id:nawal-m@crowdteck.com
Reference:
https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/29/10/2020/Ahlibank-hosts-blood-
donation-drive-in-partnership-with-HMC

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Lulu Hypermarket launches campaign against breast cancer

Doha: Multinational conglomerate Lulu Hypermarket has launched ‘Shop and Donate,’ a campaign
that seeks to allocate part of the sales proceeds of over 700 products during October to support
Qatar Cancer Society’s awareness programme.

Earlier this month, Lulu supported the ‘Blossom Campaign’ that was launched by Qatar Cancer
Society (QCS) on October 1, to raise awareness about breast cancer.
This donation is being given as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and to support
Qatar’s National Vision 2030.

The vision aims to build an advanced society capable of sustaining its development and providing a
high standard of living for its people to achieve its long-term goals.

October is commemorated as Breast Cancer Awareness month, and as part of their campaign, Lulu
showroom staff have marked their participation by wearing a pink ribbon, the worldwide symbol.
The aim is to raise awareness among the customers and staff alike and encourage them to adopt
healthy lifestyles to prevent cancers.

Director of Resources Development Department at QCS, Dr Dera Al Dosari, said, “Wearing Lulu’s
staff the pink ribbon to support QCS’ efforts and to spread awareness epically is not the first time
Lulu supports QCS. This initiative is considered a contribution from Lulu hypermarket in achieving
QCS’ vision to be the community partnership platform to make Qatar a leader in cancer prevention
and its burden control, and the mission.”

“We seek to prevent cancer and control its burden in Qatar by working with our partners to educate
the community and to support, empower, and advocate for individuals living with cancer. We want
to engage in the professional development and scientific research combating cancer,” added Dr
Deara.

He thanked the management and staff of Lulu Hypermarket for their continued efforts in support of
QCS in its cancer awareness initiatives and addressing the needs of cancer patients who cannot
afford the treatment.

He advised all state institutions to support QCS, working in one of the most critical healthcare fields. “The cooperation also includes the participation of QCS’s volunteers to inform Lulu shoppers about the campaign and encourage them on the importance of early detection. Many thanks to Lulu
hypermarket for support,” he added.

By: Nawal Mukadam
Email Id:nawal-m@crowdteck.com

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Qatar Scientific Club to produce 6,000 face shields

The Qatar Scientific Club (QSC) is set to manufacture 6,000 face shields with support from Oryx
GTL for medical staff of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Oryx GTL employees.

These will be manufactured at the QSC’s Fabrication Lab, after a face shield previously manufactured
by the Club was tested and approved by the HMC.

Oryx GTL has supported the QSC to produce 5,000 face shields for the HMC and 1,000 for its
employees, in order to provide protection against the risk of coronavirus infection.

The coronavirus causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease, these locally-manufactured face shields
have a number of advantages, which include providing enhanced protection and reducing
condensation that could affect the wearer’s vision, and are also reusable after being sterilised, and are environment-friendly.

The shields were tested multiple times by the medical teams concerned, and the recommended
improvements were made accordingly.

Saad al-Muraikhi, director of public relations at Oryx GTL, said that this assistance comes
as part of the company’s efforts to support the Qatar society, and is in line with their corporate social responsibility which is being committed to support important and constructive programmes.
Abdulaziz al-Jabiri, technical director at the QSC, added that the support of Oryx GTL stresses the
strong and continued desire of the company to maintain community partnerships in a way that
benefits the entire society.

By: Nawal Mukadam
Email Id:nawal-m@crowdteck.com

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AAB, DEAP partner for ‘Keep Qatar Clean’ environmental initiative

Doha: Abdullah Abdulghani and Bros. Co. (AAB), an exclusive distributor of Toyota and Lexus
automobiles in Qatar, has partnered with Doha Environmental Action Projects (DEAP), a
volunteering organisation, for ‘Keep Qatar Clean’ environmental initiative, that seeks to fight against plastic pollution and clean up beaches.

This is in line with Toyota’s global CSR values consisting of contribution towards sustainable
development which includes environmental care and consideration towards the planet.

Upon recognizing DEAP’s committed drive in cleaning up the beaches and dunes across Qatar, AAB
extended its support to maximize its reach and clean-ups across the country and increase awareness
and knowledge for the public.

Acting CEO and COO – Automotive Division of AAB, R K Murugan signed the collaboration agreement
with Director of DEAP, Jose Saucedo. AAB has agreed to provide logistic support for DEAP’s daily
operations by way of a Toyota Hilux 4×4 and transportation for DEAP volunteers during the clean-
ups.

A beach clean-up was held recently to launch the partnership between AAB and DEAP, in line with
the World Cleanup Day in one of the beach areas in the north.

AAB has a continuing partnership with the Public Parks Department in the seedlings to your home
and reduction of carbon footprint projects.

These partnerships that promote environmental care reinforce and manifest AAB’s commitment and
active role in contributing towards the fulfilment of Qatar National Vision 2030.

By: Nawal Mukadam
Email Id:nawal-m@crowdteck.com

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4th CEOs and Islamic Finance Leaders Roundtable on Corporate Social Responsibility in the Financial Sector

Event report

Eminent personalities from the Islamic Finance sector in Qatar and across the globe descended under one roof at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) to discuss Corporate Social Responsibility in the Finance sector. This was the Fourth of the Roundtable series conducted byThe Center for Islamic Economics and Finance (CIEF) at the College of Islamic Studies, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).

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