Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar’s (WCM-Q) flagship health campaign Sahtak Awalan – Your Health First, has recently launched Khayr Qatarna under its Project Greenhouse to inspire schoolchildren help Qatar become more self-sufficient in fruit and vegetable production.
Since its launch, Project Greenhouse has provided 130 schools across Qatar with greenhouses, soil plant pots and fruit and vegetable seeds, allowing children to learn about the environment, sustainability, where their food comes from, and most importantly, the benefits of healthy eating.
Project Greenhouse is now taking the scheme to the next level and is installing large-scale, state-of-the-art, climate-controlled greenhouses at certain schools. These greenhouses will be used to grow fruit and vegetables under the technical supervision of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. The Ministry will also monitor the distribution of produce which will be sold through local supermarkets under the brand name Khayr Qatarna. Students will continue to be involved with the greenhouses, learning more about food production and economics.
Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Wahid Al-Hammadi hailed their partnership with WCM-Q and the implementation of Sahtak Awalan campaign in schools and social community. The minister praised the series of highly successful initiatives by the college, notably Project Greenhouse, which has expanded its scope to engage schools and educate students about the values of self-sufficiency and autonomous food production.
Project Greenhouse represents an inspiring initiative to raise awareness on healthy lifestyles. It has transformed schools into productive units that enjoy learning theoretical and applied knowledge, and promote a culture of healthy nutrition among students.’
The launch, which was held at the Qatar National Convention Centre, was attended by more than 1,500 children who have been directly involved with Project Greenhouse, along with senior representatives of Sahtak Awalan’s strategic partners; the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Environment and Municipality, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Occidental Petroleum and ExxonMobil.
The new large-scale greenhouses will be cultivating a variety of vegetables including cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes and zucchini. Any profits from the initiative will be reinvested in Project Greenhouse.
Check this link for more details about Project Greenhouse. You can also visit the WCM-Q website for additional information.
