Tribune News Network
Doha
The ‘Rofaqa’ initiative of Qatar Charity (QC) is currently extending its support to over 212,000 orphans and other sponsored individuals worldwide, including approximately 2,550 persons in Chad. ‘Rofaqa’, with the support of sponsors from Qatar, is committed to delivering comprehensive care to its beneficiaries. This initiative has helped many achieve their ambitions and dreams, leading to remarkable success stories.
The sponsored individuals have excelled academically and professionally, making significant contributions to their communities. One such example is Chad’s youth Abdul Rahman Abkar Younis, who has evolved from being a sponsored child into an exemplary volunteer in orphan care.
Abdul Rahman Abkar not only continued his studies with dedication, graduating from university with distinction, but he also successfully transitioned from being an orphan sponsored by Qatar Charity to a devoted volunteer serving orphans with sincerity and passion throughout his academic career. He continues to carry out this humanitarian duty even after his graduation.
Turning point
The sponsored child, Abdul Rahman Abkar Younis, was born in 1996 in the capital, N’Djamena. He has five siblings, both brothers and sisters. His father passed away in 2000 due to an illness, leaving his mother struggling to provide for the family’s basic needs and school supplies for Abdul Rahman and his siblings. In 2002, he and his younger brother, Jibril, were sponsored by generous donors from Qatar.
The sponsorship marked a significant turning point in their lives and the life of their family. This support motivated both children to continue their education, eventually completing their university studies. Abdul Rahman earned a bachelor’s degree in ‘Developmental Sociology’ from the University of Ngaoundéré in Cameroon.
Abdul Rahman, who endured the pain of loss and the hardships of being an orphan from a young age, learned many valuable lessons. The most important of these, as he shared with us, was to be thankful to Allah for His blessings and to appreciate those who stood by him and offered support until he grew up.
This experience created a strong desire in him to help other orphans. He says, “Just as Allah eased my path in childhood by sending those who helped me as an orphan, it is now my duty, as an adult, to repay a part of this debt.
Passionate volunteer
During his university studies, Abdul Rahman was selected to join the volunteer team in the Child and Family Care Department at Qatar Charity’s office in Chad, due to his exceptional performance, to provide academic support and supervise recreational activities for orphans, in addition to distributing relief aid.
Orphan service and care have become part of Abdul Rahman’s life. He hopes that the orphans will be provided with endowment projects and have opportunities to complete their higher education.
As Abdul Rahman reflects on his journey from the past to the present, he does not forget to express his gratitude to his loving mother, his generous sponsor, and Qatar Charity. He acknowledges that, after Allah’s Grace, their support has been instrumental in all he has achieved so far.