Doha: Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), is hosting its fifth ‘Youth Diabetes Al Tahadi’ Camp for young people living with type 1 diabetes.
The camp is taking place this week at Al Shaqab Hotel at Education City where 40 participants aged between 12 and 16 years from Qatar and other GCC nations will gather.
The camp is the latest initiative supported by QF to address immediate social needs in the community by raising awareness about management and prevention of diabetes.
Throughout the week-long camp, the young people will take part in sports, educational, religious and leisure activities and attend special workshops for self-empowerment and talent development.
A team of experts, coaches, nutritionists and educators are on hand to enhance participants’ skills in self-care and diabetes management. Lekhwiya, Qatar’s Internal Security Force, is providing participants with self-defence training techniques.
Dr Abdullah Al Hamaq, Executive Director, QDA, said: “Our aim for the camp this week is to empower young people affected by diabetes, help them control the disease and limit its damage through educational and moral support. “We want them to understand the importance of their role in society and encourage them to engage with others and develop their personalities. Camp programmes combine sports and fun along with education and support for teenagers with diabetes, and will provide them with tools they need to live happy, healthy, balanced lives. We plan to take the camp to the next level in the future by hosting participants from across the region and around the world.”
Mohamed Al Saadi, Manager of the camp, said: “Such camps help young people with diabetes integrate into society. People with diabetes usually do not acknowledge their problem, however, once they see how well others cope with the disease; a change begins and they start to look at their condition from a new and more positive perspective.”
Dr Al Hamaq praised Al Shaqab Hotel for cooperation in hosting the camp, GCC participants for their presence and parents for recognising the importance of educating children about diabetes and benefits of healthy and productive lives. He also thanked Lekhwiya and Student Centre and Recreation Centre at QF for support.
The Peninsula
