The 4th Reach Out to Asia (Rota) gala dinner and charity auction raised $13 million to support Rota education projects in troubled Asian communities, under the patronage of HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser, chairperson of the Qatar Foundation.

Rota is a Qatari-based non-profit organisation that empowers local communities by providing access to quality primary and secondary education for youth affected by crisis across Asia and the Middle East.

The event, held at Doha’s Katara Cultural Village, was attended by 500 international VIPs, dignitaries and celebrities alongside the supporting Qatari society including Saudi Prince Waleed bin Talal and his wife Princess Amira Al Taweel; the Austrian President and his wife; and Olympic decathlon gold medallist, Bryan Clay from the US Master of Ceremonies; and five-time Olympian, Charmaine Crooks.

Rota chairperson, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, presented the Rota Lifetime Achievement Award to HH Abdulla bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister, in recognition of his outstanding dedication and commitment to Qatar’s progress.

The event came to a close with a charity auction managed by world-famous auction house, Sotheby’s, and was conducted by Lord Poltimore, Sotheby's Europe deputy chairman.

Several unique items were up for auction including a Porsche Panamera 4S Middle East edition, a set of earrings donated personally by actress Angelina Jolie, VIP tickets for the FC Barcelona versus Real Madrid ‘El Clasico’ football match, and works of art by acclaimed artists like Richard Serra, Damien Hirst, Cai Guo Qiang, Matthew Day Jackson, and Yousaf Ahmad.  In addition, a work of art by children with special needs from Qatar’s Al Koora Art project was also auctioned off.

“In just six years, Rota projects have provided 50,000 students with a quality education, created 7,000 plus jobs, built or rehabilitated 406 schools and helped 1.5 million community members in 10 countries. Funds raised tonight will enable the organisation to continue working with partners, volunteers, and local communities to ensure thousands of children across Asia receive their basic human right of primary and secondary education,” said Rota Director, Essa Al Mannai.

The Rota gala dinner had the support of leading Qatari corporations including Msheireb Properties as the event’s gold sponsor, Qatar Petroleum as the silver sponsor, and Qatar Vinyl Company as the bronze sponsor. – TradeArabia News Service