Creativity and social awareness meet as QF’s Education City Gift Shop showcases AMAN products

Qatar Foundation’s Education City Gift Shop is showcasing handmade products made by women and children at the Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre (AMAN), in a collaboration that aims to raise public awareness about domestic violence and its impact on families and promote social integration.

Speaking about the partnership, Sabika Ahmed Al Nasr, Head of Rehabilitative Services at AMAN, said: “This initiative is part of our efforts to work with institutions that offer valuable services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence and family disintegration, and promote their empowerment both economically and professionally.”

“Our partnership with QF will empower those in need of community-based support services. It aims to support the target groups in terms of work and encourage women to start their own businesses. Through the Education City Gift Shop, we will display and sell artworks created by women and children, so they can develop their skills and increase their self-confidence and creativity.”

Al-Nasr explained that AMAN`s team conducts case studies to identify the needs of its target group – women and children – and the factors which cause suffering, including a focus on the economic factor as one of the main reasons for the issues that women and children face. She described this cooperation between AMAN and Qatar Foundation (QF) as an important step in help these target groups, especially children, who are badly affected by violence both psychologically and socially.

“AMAN develops treatment programs designed to reduce the negative impacts of violence on children and enhance their skills and capabilities in order to boost their confidence and self-esteem.” Al-Nasr said.

“We are not only showcasing the products of our target groups in trade fairs, gift shops and shopping festivals across Qatar to enhance their self-confidence, development and creativity, but we also apply the latest treatment approaches which focus on motivating children and capitalizing on their strengths, as we aim to turn their suffering into a creative force which has a positive effect on them and the society.”

Al-Nasr said that AMAN looks to develop rehabilitation plans and programs for women and children to develop their capabilities so that they can take advantage of economic and employment empowerment services in the future.

She explained how AMAN`s priorities include supporting and encouraging people’s talents and building and developing the institutional capabilities to empower children and women who are victims of domestic violence and family disintegration so that they can be active contributors to society. The skills they gain from this approach including positive thinking, self-learning, facing challenges, self-expression, effective social communication, and time management.

“The art pieces that will be displayed at the Education City Gift Shop feature drawings on paper cups, fabrics and glass, in addition to artworks which portray Qatar emblems. These products have been made as a part of our rehabilitation programs designed by a multidisciplinary team at AMAN.

“We hope the public will appreciate their artworks, which will in turn increase their passion and creativity, and motivate them to come up with new ideas which express their true feelings.”

QF’s Education City Gift Shop is a space for artists and designers from the local community to showcase their work. Those interested in displaying their products at the shop are invited to send a proposal to ecgiftshopinfo@qf.org.qa.