Atlanta summer reading program takes off with Qatar Airways

ATLANTA, GA – Today, 500 students each received their first book for the summer, courtesy of Qatar Airways and Atlanta Public Schools (APS), to kick-start the “School’s Out, Reading Is In!” program.

Qatar Airways Cabin Crew and staff from the Americas office visited APS’ Heritage Academy to gift the books and share stories with elementary students on how important reading – and travelling – is to expanding personal horizons.

The “School’s Out, Reading Is In!” program inspires students to maintain their academic progress through the summer holiday by providing each student from K-5 grades with books, grade-appropriate. Qatar Airways is partnering with APS to support this endeavor, and to further inspire students to explore the world through reading.

“At Qatar Airways, we believe in the power of travel to expand our understanding of the world,” said Qatar Airways’ Vice President of the Americas, Mr. Gunter Saurwein. “A love of reading is the first step in cultivating a life of exploration, and the Atlanta Public Schools’ program is a powerful contribution to these students’ development. When these students are older, we will be ready to make their dreams come true by flying them around the world, so they can experience the worlds they read about this summer.”

Qatar Airways’ Cabin Crew, representing 6 cultures from around the world, visited with students to discuss summer travel, their home countries and read with them. They also shared their favourite travel stories. Students then broke into groups to read their first summer book together. Cabin Crew then gave each student a mini soccer balls from FC Barcelona, the soccer team which Qatar Airways is the primary sponsor, to start their summer break.

Also in attendance was Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen to mark the occasion and speak with media. “Helping elementary school students build strong reading skills is fundamental to ensuring students graduate college and career ready,” added Carstarphen. “We are grateful for partners like Qatar Airways who provide resources and volunteers who inspire our students to develop a love for life-long reading.”

Qatar Airways is committed to inspiring a love of education, travel and other cultures in each of the communities the airline serves. Qatar Airways is also the official communications ambassador for the Education Above All foundation’s “Educate a Child” global program.

Launched in November 2012, by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar, Educate A Child (EAC) is a global program of the Education Above All Foundation (EAA) that aims to significantly reduce the number of children worldwide who are denied their right to education.

EAC is, at its heart, is a commitment to children who are out of school to help provide them with opportunities to learn and as such, it contributes to the UN’s Global Education First Initiative and the Millennium Development Goal 2.