Fun event for pupils and families

Hundreds of students and their families turned up at the Qatar Academy’s annual charitable fundraiser, the Quackfest.

Now on its sixth year, the community gathering which stands for Qatar’s Ultimate Art, Community and Kreativity Festival (Quackfest), featured a Disney theme with areas named after and games inspired by the ‘happiest place on earth’.

The senior school was divided into four distinctive areas, each offering a different set of entertainment for everyone.

An elaborate tent was set up in the foyer where a magician performed almost nonstop. Over at the Diamond Area, renamed as New Orleans Square for the day, at least 50 vendors lined up all sides and laid out their crafts that range from traditional jewellery to silver accessories as well as paintings, beachwear and skincare products.

Live entertainment was provided courtesy of the Primary School Orchestra, Choir and Drumming Ensemble and the Senior School Advanced Concert Band filled the music corridor with classical Disney tunes.

Meanwhile, the event’s main area, dubbed as Adventure Land, showcased the students’ efforts in raising money for charities. Grade eight students prepared games like “Goofy’s Potato on a Spoon”, “Mickey Mouse Toilet Toss” and “Supercalafragalisticexpialadotiouse Disney Obstacle Course” while Primary School teachers organised “Disney Candy Count”, “Mini Golf” and “Disney Pin Knockdown” activities for the preschoolers.

“The idea behind this constantly growing event is to raise funds for projects we support,” organiser Thuraya AbulKhair told Gulf Times.

“This year, all the monies raised will provide educational support to Eravur Educational Development Institute in Sri Lanka and also support QA’s Community and Service Initiatives,” she added.

The Initiatives include: Hamad Hospital, Model UN Action projects for children living in Abu Hamour and Mesaimeer areas, and Books for Africa.

“Last year we had about 1,000 attendees, but this year’s turnout was more than what we expected,” she said.

The event raised QR53,000 last year. However, in this sixth edition, the organisers were able to raise QR35,000 even before yesterday, as sponsors Qtel, Salam Group, Al Mana Group and QNB chipped in, AbulKhair said.

Also showing up at the event yesterday was sporting icon Nada Zeidan, who was the special guest this year and she inspired the audience by talking about the significance of education in every aspect of life. Her achievements as a Qatari sportswoman was well-received by all.

Dhabyah al-Kubaisi, one of the student leaders for the event, said: “This year, it was more of a student-organised event than the previous ones. We have students as security and there are students who helped with construction and decoration. It’s very heartwarming and it really gives you a sense of community to see how a little effort could go a long way!”

While the grade eight students set up games, those from higher grades volunteered for the event, along with teachers.

“All the teachers volunteered for this fun event and enjoyed the turnout of students and their families,” Senior School teacher Allan Beaton said.

At one of the game kiosks, students Luma Mansi, Shahd Albaz, and Aya Nassif said they were really excited with the response to their human-monopoly game.

Photocaption: A dance performance