Students Reach Out to Community During Ramadan

August 2010

In honor of the Ramadan tradition of empathy and generosity for those less fortunate, the medical and pre-medical students visited Qatar’s Social Development Center (SDC) and hosted children from the Qatar’s orphan foundation, Dhreima.

The medical and premedical students helped pack school supply gift bags and visited the Social Development Center, an organization that raises funds for programs to assist and empower the less fortunate throughout Qatar. It even provides select medical procedures to those who lack the funds.

For the children of Dhreima—a center for children from non-traditional homes—another group of WCMC-Q students organized and illustrated stations around an Iftar celebration held in their honor. The event built on Dhreima’s mission to help children from unusual backgrounds integrate into society. The children enjoyed good food and socializing with members of the WCMC-Q community.

"As our students learn to be outstanding doctors, these experiences help them to develop a sense of compassion and community service," said Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCMC-Q. "We are honored to fulfill our social responsibility through such highly regarded and effective organizations as Dhreima and the Social Development Center."

“We are grateful to the students of WCMC-Q for working with us to draw awareness to our efforts to strengthen the community here in Doha,” said Amal Al Mannai, director of the Social Development Center. “The students of Education City are the leaders of tomorrow and their participation is a tremendous boost to our efforts.”

Mr. Khalid Kamal, director general of Dhreima Qatar Orphan Foundation, praised the social responsibility program at WCMC-Q, and expressed his gratitude to the medical college for putting Dhreima at the top of its priorities in its local community outreach program this year. Mr. Kamal also urged WCMC-Q to include Dhreima children in future community-based programs in the coming years, as these activities come in line with Dhreima vision and long-term goals to attain social solidarity.

“This is only the beginning of our relationship with Dhreima and the Social Development Center,” Dr. Sheikh said. “As a part of WCMC-Q’s social responsibility program, we intend to continue these collaborations and forge others around the community—the outcomes of which can only be positive for all involved.”

  
From L to R: WCMC-Q students distributed gift bags to the children of Dhreima, Dean Sheikh and Amal Al Mannai discuss the role and function of the SDC, and students pack gift bags for those in need around the community.

By Emily Alp