Face of Qatar #161:
       
     
Face of Qatar #162
       
     
Face of Qatar #163
       
     
Face of Qatar #164
       
     
Face of Qatar #165
       
     
Face of Qatar #166
       
     
Face of Qatar #167
       
     
Face of Qatar #168
       
     
Face of Qatar #169
       
     
Face of Qatar #170
       
     
Face of Qatar #171
       
     
Face of Qatar #172
       
     
Face of Qatar #173
       
     
Face of Qatar #174
       
     
Face of Qatar #175
       
     
Face of Qatar #176
       
     
Face of Qatar #177
       
     
Face of Qatar #178
       
     
Face of Qatar #179
       
     
Face of Qatar #180
       
     
Face of Qatar #161:
       
     
Face of Qatar #161:

Name: Moza M. Al-Moosa

Where are you from? I'm mixed Bahraini and Thai. I was born and raised in Thailand and grew up in Qatar.

How long have you been in Qatar? 11 years in total.

Why did you move to Qatar? I moved to Qatar to be with my Arab family; my father is based here.

What are you passionate about? I'm passionate about a lot of things: art, music, travelling, animals, food, physical and mental well-being, acts of kindness etc.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? "Your life is a result of the choices you make. If you don't like your life it is time to start making better choices. " Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions for the betterment of yourself. Moving to Qatar was the biggest and toughest choice I made, not once, but twice. I can proudly say I'm glad I did because I get to experience a different culture and lifestyle and also meet people from around the world.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I really like the idea of this project to gather people from different cultures and backgrounds to express their thoughts. It's always interesting to see and meet people from different parts of the world and what kind of experiences they have in life because I can learn a lot from them. This project is proof that Qatar is very diversified in terms of cultural diversity.

Face of Qatar #162
       
     
Face of Qatar #162

Name: Shahd Al-Fagih.

Where are you from? I'm from Libya. I was born in Tripoli. I left Tripoli at the age of 8 months and moved to South Africa. I grew up in SA, all my childhood memories were there. After that, we moved to the UAE. I spent my teenage years and high school in Dubai. Years later I ended up here graduating from a university in Qatar.

How long have you been in Qatar? Since May 2015.

Why did you move to Qatar? My dad got a job here so we moved.

What are you passionate about? Culture. Culture fascinates me, The power it has on us and how it shapes our behaviour, beliefs, lifestyle and a lot more details about our lives that we can be subconscious about most times. In addition, the way we express our cultural identities in the forms of language, accent, food and the way we dress. Fashion and its relation to culture is something I'm also very passionate about. Since I was a little girl I would watch closely how my mum ties her hijab around her head and later sneak into her room and play dress up with her scarves trying to tie the headscarf on me the same way she does.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? Being grateful for family I must say. Growing up constantly moving to different places, changing schools, neighbourhoods and cities, I always had temporary friends. People would come and go in my life but the only permanent thing that was always there through the good and bad is family.

Qatar is actually where I feel closest to home. Here I realised home is where family is.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I loved the idea of this project as it represents everything I'm passionate about. In addition, seeing the amount of diversity in the culture here in Qatar makes you think how amazing it is that a small country like Qatar can bring this amount of different cultures together and also think how will this fact shape its future.

Face of Qatar #163
       
     
Face of Qatar #163

Name: Sarah Abou-Zant.

Where are you from? Nablus, Palestine and Damascus, Syria. My parents grew up in Beirut, Lebanon and most of our family members live there.

How long have you been in Qatar? Born and raised, in November 1990.

Why did you move to Qatar? I was born here. Following in the footsteps of his brother and uncle, my dad moved to Qatar in his early 20s.

What are you passionate about? Personal and professional development, currently an ICF life coach-in-training.

Owning one's truth and finding our authentic self as one continues to grow, is the kind of work that drives me.

Spirituality, always keen on learning, seeking knowledge and doing things that bring me closer to Allah.

And the freedom and creativity that comes with innovative projects and start-ups.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? That differences have the power to unite us. My being different to you doesn't mean we keep each other at arm's length, and instead, always go with what's familiar and comfortable. On the contrary, it's all the more reason for us to connect and work together. Only then do we truly evolve as a collective.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I think it's time for people to start breaking down their inner barriers and step out of their comfort zone. While this may ring true for many out there, I mostly mean myself. And this project is one stepping stone that allows me to do just that.

Also, one of my values is making meaningful human connections and I feel this project speaks that out in volumes. We may be different from one another, but as human beings, we ultimately seek different threads of the same fabric, whether it's love, peace, or happiness. Being part of this project is one more voice that says, "We're all human. "

Face of Qatar #164
       
     
Face of Qatar #164

Name: Ann Jangsell.

Where are you from? I'm from Stockholm in Sweden.

How long have you been in Qatar? I've been here since September 2017.

Why did you move to Qatar? Love. My darling lives here and I also wanted a change of scenery and an adventure. Sweden (and Scandinavia) is cold and dark for so many months of the year and here in Qatar, it is the total opposite. Also, I was working myself towards a meltdown and a heart attack in my old job, so I really needed to end that circle before it ended me.

What are you passionate about? I'm passionate about life, being present and trying to be a good person, taking every day as a gift and being grateful. I'm passionate about travelling and experiencing different things and making new friends. The world is ours and we have family everywhere if we just talk to each other and are not afraid to do so.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you learnt since you moved to Qatar? The biggest life lesson for me moving here has been to get to know myself, without my work and my job title. Before in Sweden, I had this great job and fancy title and I become that person, my job. Moved here to Qatar, trying to find a new job, which took a couple of months, during that time I was sort of a nobody and that, with a bit of retrospective, was interesting, finding Ann, and myself. I think that was a necessary journey because now I have the best job and work with lovely, passionate people and come home every day to my love.

Life is a blessing and a gift.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I love the idea, it's just brilliant. It goes hand in hand with my life philosophy and my beliefs.

We are all one and the same, we look different but on the inside, we are the same.

Face of Qatar #165
       
     
Face of Qatar #165

Name: Aicha El-Mamy.

Where are you from? I'm from Mauritania. I'd say that I'm from Nouadhibou because it's my favourite place in Mauritania, it's my mum's city and where we usually go when we visit.

How long have you been in Qatar? 20 years and a half.

Why did you move to Qatar? My father moved out to Qatar for work in 1998 and we followed him a few months later.

What are you passionate about? Passion is a strong word, but I would say that I LOVE social media, the gym, movies, nature, mugs and travelling.

I guess I haven't found my passion yet.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? I would say that the biggest lesson I've learnt is that identity is not nationality. You can create your own identity and have your own belief system, without offending your culture.

I don't think I would've learnt about as many cultures or even been able to be part of different societies if I wasn't living in Qatar.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I'm the only Mauritanian in Qatar so it's my duty to represent us.

Face of Qatar #166
       
     
Face of Qatar #166

Name: Abdullah.

Where are you from? Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.

How long have you been in Qatar? A long time now.

Why did you move to Qatar? I moved to Qatar with my family when my father got a job as a mathematics teacher.

What are you passionate about? I believe in working hard. I believe that one must try their best to take care of themselves and their family. I am passionate about trying to be a good man and develop myself into something better. I don't have any one thing that I feel passionate about; I enjoy reading, travelling and certain sports.

I think that if I had to be completely honest I am passionate about building something for my family and me; something that will be good for us. I do not wish for fame, I actually would prefer to stay in the background, to be someone that can help people without them knowing who I am. I think that would describe my passion in about as fair-a-way as possible.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? You need to plan for a future that isn't promised, trust in God and everything will be okay.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I honestly have a very close friend who keeps bugging me, he has put a lot of effort and work into this project and I am very proud to be able to be a very small part of it. I think that it is a truly imaginative and wonderful way to represent the sheer diversity that Qatar holds, the various skills and the different lives people lead. The study of man is something that interests me and therefore, the Faces of Qatar project interests me greatly.

Face of Qatar #167
       
     
Face of Qatar #167

Name: Shane Smith.

Where are you from? Victoria, Seychelles.

How long have you been in Qatar? Since June 2005.

Why did you move to Qatar? My parents got jobs here so we ended up moving.

What are you passionate about? I'd probably say travelling. I like to go places that are really out there. Like last year I went to the Great Wall of China and Chernobyl. I want to go to Antarctica and climb Mount Everest one day. I also like current affairs, politics, economics, history and food.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? I would say you learn how to move on. People in Qatar come and go. You make good friends, but most of those stay for 1, 2 or 3 years and then they leave. Then you make new friends and start all over again. Another good thing is learning about different cultures that you haven't been exposed to before.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I think it’s great to show the diversity of Qatar and show the different nationalities that are living together.

Face of Qatar #168
       
     
Face of Qatar #168

Name: Kristin Anabel Eggeling.

Where are you from? Cologne, Germany.

How long have you been in Qatar? A year and a half, with some breaks in between.

Why did you move to Qatar? I first moved to Qatar for work after I finished my Master’s degree in the UK.

What are you passionate about? I have been very lucky over the last fifteen years or so to live in many countries around the world, which has made me love to explore new places and get to know their people and stories. I love being a tourist when I visit a new place for the first time, and then start to dig deeper into its peculiarities, history and especially food, once I have fully explored the beaten tracks. In the end, a good day for me is any day I learn something new.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? It may sound cliché, but I have learned that while people may speak differently, dress differently, or look differently, most of us have the same fears, dreams and hopes. From taxi drives in broken Arabic/English to official embassy receptions, I have learned in Qatar that there is always room to create understanding if we just jump over our shadows and start talking to each other.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I heard about Mohammad's project from a friend and was immediately intrigued. Professionally, I have a strong interest in stories of belonging and visual representations of identity, which is why I wanted to see how we can think through big ideas like identity, belonging and a sense of home through art.

Face of Qatar #169
       
     
Face of Qatar #169

Name: Tariro Dorcas Matibiri (maiden name Anifasi)

Where are you from? I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. I have been called a child of Southern Africa though. My great-grandparents were Mozambican, I grew up in Kenya and then Zimbabwe in the following cities; Gwanda, Bindura, Gweru, Harare, Kwekwe, Mutare and Bulawayo. I also studied in Gaborone Botswana, and Port Elizabeth South Africa and occasionally spent my days in Windhoek Namibia and Vilanculos Mozambique.

How long have you been in Qatar? If I had met a pregnant lady when I arrived in August 2018 she would have given birth by now. At the time of this shoot, I was 9 months into Qatar.

Why did you move to Qatar? Originally, to join my husband. Now that I am here it has become about more than joining my better half. Moving to Qatar has been a search for a better economic life, a life that offers options and makes it possible to take care of my loved ones back in Africa. I love my home country without a doubt, but a lot of extenuating circumstances have made it difficult to make ends meet.

What are you passionate about? Public Speaking and mental health. Joining a public speaking platform marked one of the clearest before and after points I can identify in my life. Before Toastmasters I was caught up in what I imagined the world thought of me, too uncertain of anything I had to say. After joining it, I felt like a butterfly coming out of its cocoon. I was still anxious and worried about what people thought of me, but now, I cared more about my growth as a speaker and that made all the difference. Having survived depression, I use public speaking as a platform to share my stories and change lives. I want to change the stigma around mental health and enable those affected to live their lives 100% unashamed.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? It has to be patience above all else. Getting a job is not easy. I used my time during my unemployment to grow my networking, leadership and communication skills. The journey has been worth it. I was also able to complete a couple of online courses and it is something I will never tire of.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? Three words: nurture versus nature. I want people to understand that the cards we are dealt are not always the cards we have to live by. How you are genetically wired should never determine who you are. You are more than where you come from and you are not alone.

Face of Qatar #170
       
     
Face of Qatar #170

Name: Ashwaq Adam.

Where are you from? The Horn of Africa. Somalia - specifically Hargeisa.

How long have you been in Qatar? June 1998.

Why did you move to Qatar? The main reason was that my dad found a job here, but also It's an Islamic state and most importantly it's a safe place for me and my family. I wouldn't choose to live anywhere else.

What are you passionate about? I'm passionate about helping others and sharing my knowledge. I do it because I truly enjoy helping them succeed or take a step towards their goal. I also have a passion to make people laugh. I love seeing people smile and laugh because you know that at least you made their day slightly better.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? My biggest life lesson in general would be to not vent to others and to trust nobody. If there's something bothering you, run to God and keep it to yourself.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? My friend told me about this project and said that Mohammed was missing a few countries for the project to be completed. I, therefore, joined gladly because I personally think it's a great idea and I would love to read the book when it's out!

Face of Qatar #171
       
     
Face of Qatar #171

Name: My name is Ruben Yaralyan.

Where are you from? I am from the land called Hayastan - Armenia. I'm from the capital city of Yerevan.

How long have you been in Qatar? I came to Qatar on 16th May 2014. It's my fifth year here and I hope to stay much longer.

Why did you move to Qatar? Five years ago, I was going through a difficult situation and at the time of all my struggles, I found an opportunity to work in Qatar and decided to come. I started as a waiter for one of the prominent companies here. With hard work, passion, and perseverance, I was promoted several times, until I got the position of Manager.

What are you passionate about? I am very passionate about a lot of things in my life. Family is first and foremost. I love animals and in Qatar, I adopted one dog, which I found on the street while he was still a puppy. I wish I have more space in my house so I could adopt more dogs. Everyone deserves a chance in his life and better life.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? Life might be unfair sometimes, but I learned that in Qatar, everything is possible. Work hard and you will achieve all the things you wanted.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I want to be a part of this project to represent and be a way for more people in Qatar to know more about Armenia. I want to share our history, our culture, and our tradition. I want more people to know how beautiful my motherland is and what it can offer.

Face of Qatar #172
       
     
Face of Qatar #172

Name: Layla Idris.

Where are you from? I was born in Pretoria, South Africa. My parents are Eritreans from Asmara.

How long have you been in Qatar? Since March 2015.

Why did you move to Qatar? I moved because my mum got a job in Qatar.

What are you passionate about? My passion is singing since I was 5 but I also like to draw and paint.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? I learnt to swim and live in hot weather.

Why do you want to be part of this project? My mum suggested that I be part of the project and I thought it was a good idea.

Face of Qatar #173
       
     
Face of Qatar #173

Name: Bilal Idris.

Where are you from? I was born in Pretoria, South Africa. My parents are Eritreans but my mum was born in Saudi Arabia.

How long have you been in Qatar? Since March 2015.

Why did you move to Qatar? I moved because my mum got a job in Qatar.

What are you passionate about? I love to play football. I was so happy when Qatar won the AFC cup. I play with my football every day. I train twice a week with a coach. On some days I play for Al-Sadd or Al-Duhail and on other days, I play for Paris Saint Germain.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? I made friends from different countries at school and in my compound.

Why do you want to be part of this project? I want people to know Eritrea and me.

Face of Qatar #174
       
     
Face of Qatar #174

Name: Abdou R. Dedeche.

Where are you from? Tolga, Algeria.

How long have you been in Qatar? Since November 2015.

Why did you move to Qatar? I moved to Qatar to reunite with my family.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about change. I believe change is the only constant in life. I also believe if we do not opt for positive change, we will have negative change. Success lies beneath the continuous conscious effort for improvement and evolution. This is why I changed my career a few years ago to education and I recently started a life coaching practice.

On a different ground, I am passionate about world music, travelling, and Muay Thai, and I love to connect with new people.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? Lots of lessons really! Relationships and family are priceless assets in our lives. Life unfolds in the form of opportunities. The importance of paying attention to one's intuition. But the biggest of them all I guess is to be the change I want to see in the world.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I love to connect with people and I share the same concern with you about the lack of mixing between different nationalities of people living in Qatar. I want to be part of the initiative to "change" this situation.

Face of Qatar #175
       
     
Face of Qatar #175

Name: Desi Lolita.

Where are you from? Jakarta, Indonesia.

How long have you been in Qatar? Since October 2004.

Why did you move to Qatar? As a family, we were based in Singapore whilst my husband was a Singapore Airlines captain. He was offered a position with Qatar airways which we felt was a great opportunity to help develop his career and help Qatar grow through our experience.

We looked at the schooling available and felt that our children had a great opportunity to gain a higher level of education and help them in the way to obtain a credited college education.

Last but most important was we recognised that Qatar was a very safe place to live and enjoy our lives.

What are you passionate about? Fashion, cooking and exercising.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? Accept all nationalities and respect all cultures.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I want to be part of the project to show my appreciation for Qatar and to demonstrate Qatar's acceptance of a multicultural society.

Face of Qatar #176
       
     
Face of Qatar #176

Name: Galiya Gabdusheva.

Where are you from? I am from Aktobe, Kazakhstan. I was born in a mixed Belarusian/Kazakhstani family.

How long have you been in Qatar? I have been in Qatar since June 2015.

Why did you move to Qatar? I moved to Qatar because my husband was offered a job in the oil and gas sector. Without hesitation, we accepted the offer with a big desire to change our lifestyle, to have international experience, to see a different perspective in life and to give better opportunities to our kid.

What are you passionate about? My family, travelling, self-development and photography.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? Don't be afraid to do something new or unusual so as not to regret the lost opportunities.

Being out of your comfort zone stimulates you to become a better, upgraded version of yourself.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I wanted to help Mohammed Ismail in covering all nationalities living in Qatar by representing my country Kazakhstan, which is not familiar to most people I have met here.

Also, the project made me thoughtful about the diversity of people living in Qatar. So many faces, life stories, feelings, opinions...

Face of Qatar #177
       
     
Face of Qatar #177

Name: Kanita Nikora.

Where are you from? I am from New Zealand (Aotearoa). My tribes are Ngati Ruanui, Rongowhakaata.

How long have you lived in Qatar? Since April 2015.

Why did you move to Qatar? It wasn't a planned move, but rather spontaneous! I randomly applied for a consultant program manager role, completely unattached and not knowing where Qatar was on the world map. From the time of accepting the job, my husband and I were living in Doha six weeks later! In New Zealand, we sold a brand new house and car, my husband resigned from his job, relocated a teenage niece who had been living with us for the previous five years, bid farewell to our large group of families and close friends, completed documentation to validate job credentials and reside in Qatar; and... packed up our lives from two houses into five suitcases... and turned up to work in Doha six weeks later. I have always felt that the move to Qatar was divinely inspired and assisted.

We came because we wanted to experience the Middle East from our personal experiences, and not through the biased reporting of the international media. Our first experience in this region was when my husband and I married 10 years ago on the Nile in Aswan, Egypt, travelling with 18 members of our families and friends, mostly from New Zealand. At the time, we never thought we would be back. Fast forward ten years, we are in Qatar, and many opportunities have opened up for us... a loving supportive holistic/wellness community, numerous travel opportunities, professional and personal development and training, life-long friendships, and helping to support local and expatriate residents toward achieving their vision.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about indigenous cultures, people and spirituality. Being Maori from Aotearoa, with an aspiration to travel around the world, I like to combine travelling to countries with meeting local indigenous tribes, to learn and share about respective cultures, traditions, creation stories, values and beliefs. I am passionate about sewing common threads and values across culture and visualising future development together in shared spaces.

Being in Qatar, I have loved meeting a wide range of people and learning about countries from their perspectives. I have learned about the struggles of different nations and their peoples' successes and aspirations back to stability. I have made some amazing friendships with local people from Qatar and the region. I have touched hearts with incredible people who have shared powerful personal stories, knowledge of the political landscape, and insights into religious and cultural experiences, spanning modern and historical perspectives. I've learned so much first-hand. I feel like Qatar has treated us with so much abundance and love. It has been generous in spirit, kind in heart and instilled patience and non-judgement – especially in the driving!

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? My biggest life lesson since moving to Qatar is to keep an open mind, and an open heart, and stay connected to people. Always keep the bigger picture in mind. To raise humanity, all people, regardless of their nationality, gender, social, economic or cultural backgrounds. We are a collective of One People. My very wise niece once taught me that fundamentally, we have the same colour blood running through our veins. And it is only in Unity and Divine Love that we will succeed in creating a better place for All.

Why do you want to be part of the project? To showcase diversity in Qatar. To represent my home country and to raise awareness about the indigenous people and culture of Aotearoa - New Zealand.

We have a proverb in our native language that is foundational to my journey here:

He aha te mea nui o te ao?

What is the most important thing in the world?

He tangata he tangata he tangata

It is people, people, people.

Face of Qatar #178
       
     
Face of Qatar #178

Name: Asma Sadia Chowdhury.

Where are you from? I am from Chittagong, Bangladesh; albeit I have only been there a handful of times.

How long have you been in Qatar? I was born and raised here. I consider this place my home.

Why did you move to Qatar? This question should be directed at my parents. Hahaha. From what I know, my dad had graduated with his engineering degree and had already completed an internship in Libya. The next big step was to get a permanent job, which he did in Qatar after sitting for an exam with 21 other engineers. Only two were selected and this seemed like a very good opportunity encouraging him to move here for work. After spending a few years here, he returned for marriage and brought my mom here. A few years later, I was born and the rest is history.

What are you passionate about? I love travelling around the world appreciating God's beautiful nature and learning the science behind those spectacular natural phenomena (which is fascinating to me as an Engineer). I love the idea of interacting with people from different cultures and learning about their experiences. In a way, this opens our minds to endless possibilities and helps shape our character. This country is strategically placed to give us quick and easy access to all parts of the world in terms of travel time.

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since moving to Qatar? I was practically raised here. I have had, what they call, the best of both worlds. I have had the opportunity to learn to strive in this world and have my faith strengthened because of it. What I have learned is that the stairway to success is a combination of faith, determination, and patience. This is something that has always worked for me. I have always believed that God has grand plans that we cannot even begin to imagine and in the end, He knows what is best for us.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? From what I understand, this project is bringing people from different backgrounds and encouraging them to share their experiences of being a part of this country. What appeals to me most about this project is that all of us living here can relate to each other regardless of our nationality and upbringing, by just bringing our unique perspective to this culture. This tends to foster great understanding amongst each other and where they come from and ultimately respect them for who they are, which is really what the world needs right now love and peace.

Face of Qatar #179
       
     
Face of Qatar #179

Name: Jacqueline Kemirembe Kamuhanda.

Where are you from? I am a product of the pearl of Africa - Uganda. Born in the Western region, the Kiruhura district (aka land of milk and honey). I am the third of 11 siblings. I went to Kanoni secondary school, then joined the nursing and midwifery schools of Ibanda, Jinja and Kampala international university for extensional studies, respectively.

How long have you been in Qatar? I celebrated my second year of stay and service in Qatar on the 11th of April, 2019.

Why did you move to Qatar? Primarily for work. Having studied and worked for more than 12 years in Uganda, I needed to explore the globe, for more skills, international exposure and better income, (a child that does not move will always think that her/his mother is a better cook). It's obvious that home is always the best, however, I had to step out of my comfort zone, if I had to make a difference in my life and that of those I care for.

What are you passionate about? Midwifery is my passion, being the eldest daughter in the family taught me how to care for and educate my siblings. When I joined the midwifery profession, it was a polishing vocation with knowledge and skills in working with pregnant mothers and families. Each day of my work is a new experience and this is a motivation that keeps me going.

What do you say is the biggest life lesson you have learnt since you moved to Qatar? My transitional and settling-in period in Qatar lasted two years and 10 months. This was the longest test of patience I have ever had in my life; nevertheless, two years of service have paid for my effort of 12 years of the same work in Uganda. On the other hand, working in a highly multicultural and multilingual community like Qatar with over 100 different nationalities has empowered me and improved my professional confidence. I can comfortably work in any labour and delivery facility across the globe.

Why do you want to be part of this project? First and foremost, I want my gratitude for the employment offer in this country to be on the record, and to encourage every other professional colleague in my country and Africa wishing to work in this country that the struggle in finding a job is worth the pay. As part of the expatriates in Qatar, there is power in sharing experiences and so I would love to meet and learn more.

Face of Qatar #180
       
     
Face of Qatar #180

Name: Mensah Huessou Abel-Thierry.

Where are you from? Aného, Togo, which is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. The sovereign state extends south to the Gulf of Guinea.

How long have you been in Qatar? I came here on the 20th of November 2016.

Why did you move to Qatar? I moved to Qatar because of the: lifestyle, hospitable culture, tax-free salary, safe place for family and you can return home whenever you want.

What are you passionate about? I am very passionate about cultural diversity where people can learn from each other; discover new cultures and learn to adapt to them. I am also passionate about travelling—when we talk about travelling, we're also talking about making new discoveries.

On a professional level, my biggest passion is to attain my objectives, no matter what the presented obstacles.

Briefly, my passion is really to successfully achieve the goals that I have set for myself.

What is your biggest life lesson? My biggest life lesson, which I have learnt here in Doha, is to learn to be patient. There is nothing like wanting to achieve everything all at once. Things happen at their own pace, and we should always be patient.

We live at an indefinite time, and time defines our finitude. We should also not skip the different stages of life—The good, the bad, joy, pain... they're all coded in our systems. Everything works for the good of those who know how to be patient.

Why do you want to be a part of this project? I never hesitated when I heard of this project. You see, I come from a small country called Togo, in West Africa, and many don't know of Togo.

In my small encounters with people here when asked about where I come from, and when I say Le Togo, they cannot really localise it on the map.

So this project is a sort of window, or a mirror through which I can introduce my country, Le Togo, valorize - its different and rich cultures, and above all insert it into the symphony of the many nationalities that live in Qatar.