A selection of one-of-a-kind fashion accessories was recently unveiled at the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE) as part of a collaboration between global foundation Education Above All (EAA) and luxury brand, Valentino.
Ten sets of two bracelet designs and one pair of earrings are now on display at the five-day event and available to buy in Valentino stores across Doha afterwards. The proceeds will be put towards supporting the EAA project in Somalia – in partnership with CARE – which aims to bring 57,600 primary school children back to school by 2024.
Empowering children, communities
Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an estimated 50% of primary school-age children out of school. Many of these children are often living in extreme poverty or facing discrimination because of their ethnic origins or gender. Others have been displaced by conflict or drought.
In line with EAA’s promise to empower children, communities and countries, the foundation is working with its partners across Somalia to remove barriers to quality education. As well as training teachers and offering salary support, proceeds from the sale of the Valentino bespoke designs will go towards helping to build child-friendly schools.
One benefactor is 14-year-old Sharmarke. The eldest of eight children, he was forced to tend to his family’s livestock rather than attend school. Fortunately, in 2021, Sharmarke’s father learned of the free Accelerated Basic Education (ABE) programme – a condensed two-year syllabus designed for 12- to 15-year-olds. Sharmarke and his family now have a future.
Through accelerated education, I don’t feel embarrassed or out of place to attend class. I want to be a teacher when I grow up. I really admire my teachers and the status they occupy in my village. Everyone admires them.
The collaboration is part of EAA and Valentino’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17, which calls for a global partnership for sustainable development.
Working with Valentino
The jewellery designs are being showcased as part of the DJWE at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) from 20 to 25 February. The event has been running for almost two decades and is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors from more than 175 countries. It will focus on the latest trends in luxury watches, necklaces, rings, earrings, diamonds, gold and silverware and celebrate the unique and exquisite craftmanship of the designers who will attend.
Speaking about the collaboration, EAA CEO Fahad Al-Sulaiti said they are proud to be working with Valentino, a global brand known and respected for its iconic designs and commitment to an inclusive society made by local entities and global movements.
He said that thanks to this partnership, Education Above All will now be able to bring primary education to the children of Somalia, to children who need it most, to children who have to work to support their families and to children who are forced to move due to violence or the effects of climate change.
DJWE is open until Saturday, 25 February at the DECC. Go to visitqatar.com for timings and entry registration.
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