Vodafone Qatar yesterday announced the three winners of the World of Difference initiative for the year 2013. Vodafone received over 150 applications since February, with a 35 percent increase in the number of Qatari applicants this year. Three Qatari winners were Mohammed Al Kuwari, Salwa Al Kuwari and Mohammed Al Matwi. Mohammed Al Kuwari’s idea is to develop assistive informatics solution using RFID and mobile technology to help blind individuals to live more independently. The technology will enable people with visual impairment to be able to identify objects around them at home or at the office easily, facilitating their navigation through spaces around them more easily. Salwa Al Kuwari, Principal of Al Kawthar school, launched a self-awareness programme in 2009, which has expanded to 19 Qatari boys and girls schools. The programme has reached more than 7,000 students and their parents. Mohammed Al Matwi, a student in Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, started a theatrical, drama flash mob campaign at his university that aims to raise awareness about road safety among Qatari youth. The project came about after seeing the number of lives lost increase especially among young people in Qatar. “Vodafone is very proud of the caliber of Qatari talent that we have chosen for this year’s World of Difference initiative. We have no doubt that that the winners’ passion and determination to make a difference in the lives of others will touch the lives of many people in Qatar,” said Dana Haidan, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Vodafone Qatar. Now in its third year, the “World of Difference” is an initiative under Vodafone’s corporate social responsibility programme Vodafone Better World. This unique flagship initiative is a first of its kind in Qatar in which Vodafone gives people the opportunity to receive funding for 12 months to undertake projects to help the community in Qatar. The projects can focus on any area, cause or social issue as long as it meets a local need and is 100% non-profit. Vodafone will be regularly communicating on the winners’ projects and progress throughout the year, the company said yesterday. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/235845-three-qataris-win-vodafone-world-of-difference-2013.html

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