Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) is a Qatari non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in November 2005 under the auspices of the heir apparent, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and guided by Her Excellency Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
How We Started
The idea for a charity which would reach out to the Asian continent to provide those in need with quality education was conceived by Qatar's Heir Apparent, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in November, 2005.
Guided by our Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Reach Out To Asia operates as a non-governmental organization (NGO) within the framework of Qatar Foundation - a private non-profit organization founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. Qatar Foundation is built on the principle that a nation's greatest resource is the potential of its people, and it aims to develop that potential internationally through a network of centers devoted to progressive education, research and community welfare.
ROTA's mission is to extend that assistance into Asia - where it's strategic geographic location gives it a unique opportunity to support its neighboring countries as they overcome developmental difficulties. In addition, more than 60% of Qatar's own expatriate community is of Asian origin, giving ROTA added insight and understanding of the needs and cultural norms of the Asian people.
Our Objective
In April 2000, more than 1,100 participants from 164 countries gathered in Dakar, Senegal, at the World Education Forum. The result of their debate was the adoption of the Education For All (EFA) initiative, which maintains that education is a fundamental human right and aims to achieve education for children and adults around the world by the year 2015.
ROTA supports this ideal and believes that every man, woman and child across the Asian continent, regardless of age, gender or circumstance, should have access to quality education. In order to help them achieve this, we are committed to help them in reaching some of the six EFA goals:
- To expand early childhood care and education
- To ensure free primary education by 2015
- To promote learning and life skills for young people and adults
- To improve adult literacy by 50 percent by 2015
- To eliminate gender disparities by 2015
- To enhance educational quality
"It is essential that we give back to our communities and help those who are in need. We can only abolish poverty and human suffering by working together."
- Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
