By Ayman Adly/Staff Reporter

Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking (QFCHT) yesterday marked the conclusion of its awareness campaign ‘We are all humans: Students and schools against human trafficking’.

The event saw the participation of QFCHT officials, representatives of the participating schools and a large number of students who took part in the campaign, which covered 10 independent and private schools.

“The first stage of the programme targeted students and pupils from kindergartens and primary, preparatory and secondary schools through interactive and interesting educational experiences designed to engage students in the process,” said Khalidah al-Tubaikh, director of QFCHT’s department of research and studies and in-charge of the programme.

She said the concepts involved in human trafficking were not easy to communicate to youngsters. But the teamwork of QFCHT and the didactic methods and tools it used helped draw the attention of the participating children to explain the various aspects of the issue. These included games, cartoons, drawing, role-playing, painting and colouring, besides various other forms of arts that would appeal to the students.

“It is important to instruct the young generation on human values such as the acceptance and respect of others. Youngsters should appreciate the efforts of domestic workers and respect their dignity. By developing such a positive attitude, they would, in turn, deliver the message to their parents, peers and everyone around them,” stressed al-Tubaikh.

Academic researcher Khalid M Muftah, who was also a part of the programme, said human rights education was the main focus of the campaign. It involved physical activities that inspired the young to be potential campaigners for human rights, particularly for vulnerable sections of society such as expatriate labourers.

“The aim of the programme was to make students the catalysts of positive change by promoting the respect of all nationalities and professions, especially domestic workers. We also focused on the safe use of the Internet by youngsters, aiming at effective protection against any possible abuse or misuse that could expose them or their families to different forms of exploitation,” said Muftah.

He said the first stage of the campaign was highly successful and many other schools, including international and community institutes, in the country had expressed their wish to join the programme.

Sherifa al-Asaed, public relations officer at QFCHT, said the campaign engaged both female and male students and there was proper co-ordination with officials in the participating schools prior to the launch of the programme.

“We tried to instil the principles of equality, justice and respect of others in the minds of students through activities that they like to do. Their artistic production clearly indicates that our efforts have been rewarded,” she said.

The winning students and school representatives were given prizes by QFCHT director-general Mariam al-Malki. Besides, boys and girls of different age groups presented performances based on related themes.

Faysal Bahzad, a student affairs co-ordinator at a local independent school, said the children benefited greatly from the activities of the programme and were suitably enlightened on the importance of respecting maids, besides having a positive attitude towards the expatriate labour force. Further, they were informed about the negative impacts of practices such as begging and the various forms of Internet abuse.

Manmmadhan Mambally, chief co-ordinator of literary activities at MES Indian School, said: “We are honoured to have participated in the May Day performance at Al Rayan Theatre as part of the QFCHT celebrations.” He said the institute appreciates participation in such programmes, adding that it has a mock UN model to educate students on topics related to human rights and other issues.

Besides students’ performances and theatrical sketches, the celebration featured an exhibition of drawings and paintings by students on related issues.