A selection of one-of-a-kind fashion accessories has been unveiled at Doha’s Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE) as part of a collaboration between global foundation Education Above All and luxury brand Valentino.
Ten sets of two bracelet designs and one pair of earrings are on display at the five-day event and available to buy in Valentino stores across Doha afterwards. The proceeds will be put towards supporting EAA’s project in Somalia – in partnership with CARE – which aims to bring 57,600 primary school children back to education by 2024.
Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an estimated 50% of primary school-age children out of school (OOSC). 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 sales 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 aimed at 12-15 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.” he says.
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.
The jewellery designs are being showcased as part of the DJWE which is being held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre between February 20 and 25. The event has been running for almost two decades and is expected to attract more than 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, CEO of Education Above All Fahad Al-Sulaiti said: “We are proud to be working with Valentino, a global brand that is known and respected for its iconic designs and its commitment to an inclusive society made by local entities and global movements. Thanks to this partnership, Education Above All will now be able to bring primary education to the children of Somalia who need it the most, such as children who have to work in order to help support their families and children who are forced to move due to violence or the effects of climate change.”