Monday, November 06, 2006
Job specific training last night was interesting. I had about 11 out of a total of 25 volunteers who will be working with me. We have another session on Wednesday and I hope the others come. Out of 11, there were at least 4 men dressed in the white Thobe and 5 women dressed in the black abhaya (not sure of the spelling) which is the long black dress with black scarf around their head. One had a veil so I could only see her eyes. One lady seemed asian, was dressed casually and spoke english well. Another casually dressed man (not a qatari) seemed to speak English very well.
From the 15th of November until the 16th of December I will have four volunteers working with me from 7am to 11pm, then a couple for the overnight shift. There will be challenges, there is no doubt about that but this will also afford me a unique insight into the life of local people here. This is not something most people experience when they come here. First of all, to come into this country, you must be Qatari or you must be sponsored for a job by a Qatari national. Of course spouses fall under this umbrella.
This means finding the workforce for these games and the volunteers has been very difficult. Most people either work or do not want or need to work. But those who work in Doha can be released from their employment (and perhaps have to be released) if they receive a discharge letter from the organising committee saying that the person is volunteering for the Games. I haven't yet asked whether they still get paid by their normal employer.
My group last night seemed interested. Some have broken english, but most seemed to understand my introduction to the work they will be doing here. Giving them their rosters was the interesting bit. Abdulqader wants to work the same shifts as Saad. Four people are not even on my list so I have no roster to give them and need to collect their availability. Some cannot do the shifts they have been given. Salwa who is currently starting work on the 27th would love to start earlier like the 23rd. Staffing is always a major nightmare. The first job I usually deleguate out in my previous games role is the staffing and indeed here I am lucky that Gerry is dealing mostly with the rosters.
Later in the evening when I'm in the elevator back at the accommodation, I get a phone call from Salwa's husband. He is curtious and friendly and tells me that Salwa who has expressed interest in starting on the 23rd cannot in fact do this as his children will be on Holidays. "Are you telling me that if I leave the roster as it is now, you will be happy?" I ask. "Yes" he answers "And Salwa will be happy too" he is quick to add.
By the way there is an interesting article on the veil which was published in the Toronto Star not long ago: see http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1161726632811&call_pageid=968332188492
Felt a bit cooler or less humid running this morning. Perhaps afterall the weather will get cooler as everyone says.
Bye for now
From the 15th of November until the 16th of December I will have four volunteers working with me from 7am to 11pm, then a couple for the overnight shift. There will be challenges, there is no doubt about that but this will also afford me a unique insight into the life of local people here. This is not something most people experience when they come here. First of all, to come into this country, you must be Qatari or you must be sponsored for a job by a Qatari national. Of course spouses fall under this umbrella.
This means finding the workforce for these games and the volunteers has been very difficult. Most people either work or do not want or need to work. But those who work in Doha can be released from their employment (and perhaps have to be released) if they receive a discharge letter from the organising committee saying that the person is volunteering for the Games. I haven't yet asked whether they still get paid by their normal employer.
My group last night seemed interested. Some have broken english, but most seemed to understand my introduction to the work they will be doing here. Giving them their rosters was the interesting bit. Abdulqader wants to work the same shifts as Saad. Four people are not even on my list so I have no roster to give them and need to collect their availability. Some cannot do the shifts they have been given. Salwa who is currently starting work on the 27th would love to start earlier like the 23rd. Staffing is always a major nightmare. The first job I usually deleguate out in my previous games role is the staffing and indeed here I am lucky that Gerry is dealing mostly with the rosters.
Later in the evening when I'm in the elevator back at the accommodation, I get a phone call from Salwa's husband. He is curtious and friendly and tells me that Salwa who has expressed interest in starting on the 23rd cannot in fact do this as his children will be on Holidays. "Are you telling me that if I leave the roster as it is now, you will be happy?" I ask. "Yes" he answers "And Salwa will be happy too" he is quick to add.
By the way there is an interesting article on the veil which was published in the Toronto Star not long ago: see http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1161726632811&call_pageid=968332188492
Felt a bit cooler or less humid running this morning. Perhaps afterall the weather will get cooler as everyone says.
Bye for now
# posted by AdeC @ 12:05 AM 
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Allo Anne,
Super intéressant ton blogue. Presque comme si on y était. Nous te lisons fidèlement tous les jours. Disons que ta présente au Qatar nous incite à suivre de plus près tout ce qui se passe au Moyen-Orient. Hier, à ArTV, nous avons vu un spécial sur l'histoire de l'Arabie Saoudite et de ses dirigeants. C'est fou ce qu'on est ignorant lorsqu'on s'y arrête! Raison de plus pour prendre soin de notre planète!
À bientôt. Un super hug!
Super intéressant ton blogue. Presque comme si on y était. Nous te lisons fidèlement tous les jours. Disons que ta présente au Qatar nous incite à suivre de plus près tout ce qui se passe au Moyen-Orient. Hier, à ArTV, nous avons vu un spécial sur l'histoire de l'Arabie Saoudite et de ses dirigeants. C'est fou ce qu'on est ignorant lorsqu'on s'y arrête! Raison de plus pour prendre soin de notre planète!
À bientôt. Un super hug!
Salut Colette,
Je suis bien contente de pouvoir partager ainsi mon experience et il y aurait tellement plus a ecrire mais en ecrivant un peu de temps en temps, j'espere faire voir un peu l'experience que je vis ici.
Comme tu le dis il y a tellement de choses que nous prenons pour acquis, des opinions que nous pensons avoir sur des choses dont nous n'avons aucune idee.
Mais derriere tout ca, derriere toutes les differences de cultures, de langues, de religions, d'habitudes, nous sommes tous des etres humains curieux et fascinants a la fois.
Bisous
Annexx
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Je suis bien contente de pouvoir partager ainsi mon experience et il y aurait tellement plus a ecrire mais en ecrivant un peu de temps en temps, j'espere faire voir un peu l'experience que je vis ici.
Comme tu le dis il y a tellement de choses que nous prenons pour acquis, des opinions que nous pensons avoir sur des choses dont nous n'avons aucune idee.
Mais derriere tout ca, derriere toutes les differences de cultures, de langues, de religions, d'habitudes, nous sommes tous des etres humains curieux et fascinants a la fois.
Bisous
Annexx
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