Qatar Airways raises over a million dollars for Educate a Child programme

Qatar Airways raises over a million dollars for Educate a Child programme.  Image:  Qatar Airways

As part of its efforts to promote the initiative, an EAC video is played on board the airline’s Oryx One in-flight entertainment during all flights, to encourage donations for the most marginalised, out-of-school children around the world.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are proud to continue our long-lasting partnership with Education Above All Foundation. Since 2013, together with our passengers, we have and will continue to donate to this worthy cause. With over 59 million primary school-age children in the world who currently have no access to education, we, as a global corporate citizen, have a responsibility to give back to our communities.”

To contribute, customers can donate online upon reaching the payment page during the online flight booking process. Donations up to USD 50 per booking can be made. When on board, passengers can request envelopes from the cabin crew to donate any amount, in any currency, these funds are then matched by Qatar Airways.

The Educate A Child programme was launched in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser as a global programme of the Education Above All Foundation. The programme aims to provide quality primary education to millions of school children who otherwise would not have access. Funds collected through the partnership go towards EAC’s projects in countries where out of school children are faced with barriers to education including extreme poverty, gender discrimination, and conflict-affected environments.  To date, more than 9.9 million children have been enrolled in quality primary education programmes around the world, thanks to EAC and its loyal partners.

In October 2020, Qatar Airways gave away 21,000 complimentary tickets to teachers to thank them for their work in educating young people worldwide during the challenges brought by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.