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MARIVIE TUMBAGA ALABANZA
Doha
THERE'S no mountain too high, no jungle too perilous, no wall too steep and no journey too rigourous for Aisha al-Naama. A couple of years shy of 30, this Qatari woman is living life as an adventure-seeker with a cause. When she is not, she is blogging about it.
This electrical and electronics engineer from the University of Liverpool, England, works for the Information and Communication Technology Team of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy. Away from office, you may find her scaling mountains, running marathons, raising funds for charity, or simply travelling the world.
Aisha has been on a cross-country bicycle trip from the Italian Alps to Germany. She cycled for seven days passing through seven cities in four countries, covering a distance of 800km at 7,000m elevation. The journey was gruelling but it also allowed her to see the gorgeous sights from Venice to Stuttgart."Each landscape and terrain had a different story to tell," Aisha said."It took me on one of the most beautiful routes I've seen. Every day we would cross a different city with a different experience."
Each adventure has its own challenges, and going on an expedition to raise funds for charity has proved that."The challenge of cycling in Europe particularly up on the Alps was extremely difficult because we couldn't train for that here in Doha, but you just have to keep going, she added."
In 2014, Aisha was part of a Qatari team which rebuilt a burned-down school deep in the Amazon. For a young urban woman used to the comforts of the city, she braved the jungle to help the community by collecting the building materials and constructing the school. For three weeks, Aisha and her team lived in the remote environment sans telecommunication and the usual luxuries of life."Building the school was a tough experience, but all the challenges were worth it when we saw the smiles of the children." The trip was truly a humbling experience for Aisha, she said.
The Amazon mission opened her heart to adventures with a cause. From surviving the forest, she set her eyes on conquering the highest mountain in Africa Mount Kilimanjaro. Again, it was a pursuit to benefit others. The climb was a fund-raising activity to help build a school in Gaza. For most people, just the thought of climbing the mountain with its active volcanoes is a big discouragement. But Aisha became one of the first seven Qatari females and six Qatari males to ever climb the mountain."Climbing a mountain requires a lot of training, good stamina and endurance. The climb was both mentally and physically challenging," Aisha asserted.
Soon after, Aisha broke another record by being one of the first two Qatari women to have ever completed the Great Wall of China 42km full marathon. Aisha considers joining the marathon as one of the boldest moves she has ever made even bolder than the mountain climbing! It was her first full marathon and unlike the expeditions she's had at Mt. Kilimanjaro and in the Amazon forest, there were no stops or sleep for this one."I was anxious to get myself into such a challenging marathon. I am so happy that I didn't give into my fears and comfort, as this ended up being an inspiring journey."
Till date, Aisha can't believe that she crossed the finish line."I remember seeing the sign ahead of me saying 1km left and I kept going until I reached the finish line, and tears started running down my face. I was happy, proud and inspired," she said.
It was indeed a test of endurance considering her lithe frame. But with motivation from other runners from different parts of the world, the marathon became more than just a physical competition but a symbol of solidarity among nations. Crossing the finish line meant more than just a time to finally rest but it was a moment of victory of overcoming her own doubts as a Qatari woman. Crossing the finish line meant entering into a new paradigm.
Asked about her family's role in all her endeavours, Aisha said her family has given her all the support she could ever ask for."I have to say I am very lucky to have a supportive family around me that believes in what I do. I believe I am a strong woman today because of them. Without their support I wouldn't have been able to be where I am now."
Aisha believes that by nurturing herself with new experiences, she's able to give back to society through her blog (www.aishaalnaama.com), in which she tries to encourage and empower women not just in Qatar but all over the world whoever gets to read it."I like to encourage health and fitness among the youth because it leads to increased well-being and adds purpose to life. I try to use my platform to spread awareness." Not one to put a timeframe for herself, Aisha looks at experiences as doors to opportunities. According to her, each new encounter with a place or person can spark a new idea.
As an educated Qatari woman, she sees a bright future for the young Qatari women of today."I always keep saying that the thing which holds us back from what we want is fear; the fear of the unknown. You'll find that in many cases, people are afraid because most of us get used to being in our own comfort zone and we don't want to get out of it, fearing that something negative might happen. But only through trying and getting out of our comfort zone do we grow as people. We experience things that we potentially never knew existed within us," Aisha said.
Aisha also believes in the power of human capital. That's why she advocates lifelong education through personal development and entrepreneurship."Women can contribute to the country by being involved in the country's initiatives and by developing new projects that supports the economy as well as showcasing what Qatari women entrepreneurs are doing."
When asked about the specific message she would like to give to young Qatari women, Aisha said:"Don't let society or people decide on your behalf. Qatari or non-Qatari, we are all strong. I feel sometimes we just need a push to realise our full potential. I believe it is our role as women to motivate and empower each other and not to compare ourselves with others because no achievement is better than another one, so challenge yourself and believe in yourself."
So what's next for this 'wander' woman? Aisha declared that her next adventure is set in Oman with a local Omani company 'One Roof'. It's going to be a cultural tour to explore the beauty of the country and delight in the hidden gems with the idea of promoting tourism. While this may not necessarily represent a challenge, Aisha feels that any experience that enriches a person's cultural views and knowledge is worth having. This time, she's travelling to prolifically fill her blog with stories.
She aspires to inspire her readers with her travel reflections and also shares her knowledge on healthy food. Currently, Aisha is taking advantage of the Qatar winter by indulging in outdoor activities like jogging, cycling, and water activities."I like to do yoga a lot. I think it helps a lot and balances out my other activities. Overall, I like to go adventure-hunting and go beyond my comfort zone." With grit and grace combined, Aisha al-Naama is definitely the face of the future.
