QF’s Education City Gift Shop working with local orphanage

Qatar Foundation’s Education City Gift Shop will be showcasing products that are handmade by children at the Orphan Care Center ‘Dreama‘, in a collaboration that aims to providing young creative minds with an opportunity to share their art pieces and discover new experiences that advance their artistic journeys.

"This initiative offers a solid support for Dreama children at all levels, and stimulates creativity by giving them a safe space to express their passion, especially given the hard times we are going through due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Fatima Al Hammadi, Head of the Internal Care Department at the Orphan Care Center ‘Dreama’, said.

Al Hammadi explained that the pandemic has meant that children are working hard to manage their time – to strike a balance between their studies and practicing their hobbies. “The Orphan Care Center ‘Dreama’, in cooperation with Qatar Foundation, is honored to support the artistic talents of Dreama children, and refine their hobbies in art and craft,” she said.

“I applaud Qatar Foundation’s initiative to display our children’s work at the Education City Gift Shop. This initiative allows our children to gain more confidence in their abilities and skills.”

Among Dreama’s priorities are supporting and encouraging talents, paying attention to artistic and other capabilities, expanding knowledge, and making optimal use of leisure time, according to Al Hammadi, so that “Dreama children can become active contributing members and influencers in society.”

A key goal for Dreama is the social integration of its children – ensuring they are accepted in society – and the partnership with Qatar Foundation is an important step in that direction. “The opportunity that our children have – to display their artworks at the Education City Gift Shop – surely increases their confidence and belief in their abilities. This is a great way for them to continue expressing their creativity, and to leave a creative footprint that can be seen and experienced by visitors.”

Many of the art pieces produced by the children – aged between 11 and 18 – portray elements of national identity and heritage, while others are drawings on porcelain cups and trays.

“I believe that art has no limits, and I look forward to having my work showcased at the Education City Gift Shop,” said one of Dreama's 16-year-old children, for whom art is not just a hobby but a blessing.

“Art is a way to express what is inside us. It helps us discover different ways of expression. Although I practice drawing as a hobby, my dream is to become an artist in the future. Art helps me know what I want to do in my life, and this will help me to build my future.”

This 16-year-old boy feels “happy and grateful” that the management at Dreama realized the talent he has and encouraged him to develop it. He feels this shows the Dreama management’s dedication to providing each of their children with the opportunity to express their creativity in a field they love.

Another child from Dreama – an 11-year-old girl whose hobby is drawing – said: “I enjoy drawing, and I use the summer period as inspiration for my art. I color ceramic cups and decorate them with butterflies and trees.”

The 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 Education City Gift Shop should send a proposal with images, quantity, price, and timelines to ecgiftshopinfo@qf.org.qa