In the spirit of giving back to community, the welfare organisation of Filipino expatriates, HERO Qatar, is taking a volunteer initiative to walk rescued dogs at 2nd Chance Rescue Qatar. In the open-to-all event, to be held on April 15, members of the organisation will welcome volunteers to join them in walking more than 150 rescued dogs. 
“This event is open for everybody who wants to join. There are a large number of dogs in the rescue shelter to be walked and we would appreciate as much support as we get,” Cheryl Marielou Valientes, the Secretary-External of HERO Qatar told Community. 
Many of HERO’s more than 300 members will participate in the three-hour long event which will start at 8am. Valientes said it was their organisation’s first such activity with the 2nd Chance Rescue, however, they have been actively taking part in community and social welfare activities in the past.  
“We have accomplished a lot in a short time since the establishment of the organisation. It is basically working for the welfare of Filipino workers living in Qatar but we also support people in need back home in case of any natural disaster and calamity,” explained Valientes.
To realise its vision, HERO Qatar is committed to provide support in assisting distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and the general Filipino community. Valientes said HERO Qatar works under the umbrella of United Filipino Organisation in Qatar which works under the patronage of Philippines embassy. 
The organisation was formed in January 2015 by a group of individuals who felt the urgent need to assist the authorities in helping the distressed Overseas Filipino Workers in Qatar, which led to create that intense desire in their heart to act as volunteers and be of good service to the Filipino community. 
HERO stands for Helping, Empowering and Recognizing OFWs. In another meeting, voluntarily attended by 66 individuals, the organisation drafted together the bylaws and core values of HERO and the group has also elected its officers to stand as their representatives to the Philippine Embassy in Doha upon submission of bylaws for approval.
HERO Qatar was granted a certificate of recognition in February 2015 as a non-profit organisation with the purpose to build a strong support group and solid foundation for the welfare of distressed OFWs to uplift their current situation and to help the Filipino community in Qatar and in the Philippines.
“The outpouring support, assistance, care and co-operation being expressed to HERO Qatar by a good number of volunteers has made it more determined and empowered to share its ideals, hence, the group is now working hard to realise its programmes and activities,” says the organisation.
It continues to grow in the number of volunteers with common goals. It hopes to make achieve a milestone in the Philippines and Qatar history for advancing the welfare and protecting the rights of OFWs besides living by its mission and vision leaving a good legacy to the Filipino community.
2nd Chance Rescue, founded in 2009, began as a solo rescue mission conducted by its founder, Abdulla al-Naemi, to help a family of abandoned puppies he found helpless and homeless.
Six years later, Abdulla’s vision has transformed from a simple rescue case into a full-scale animal shelter that is now home to over 150 rescued dogs and 50 cats. 
At 2nd Chance, they work tirelessly to rehabilitate and home the animals, providing all the necessary medical, physical and emotional care needed until each animal finds a forever home. As a non-profit organisation, they rely on the kind contributions and volunteer efforts of the animal loving community. The Dog Walk event by HERO Qatar would go a long way in helping the shelter attract support for their cause.