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Tribune News Network
Doha
AN innovative sustainability startup has been shortlisted as a Challenge 22 finalist by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) for its creativity in redistributing surplus food to those in need.
Wa'hab is the brainchild of Qatar-based entrepreneur Wardah Mamukoya. It has progressed to the second round of calls as the programme continues its commitment to find the Arab world's leading innovations, which could one day enhance the experience of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The SC recently announced an impressive list of finalists, which includes startups from across the MENA region, and projects ranging from emergency response systems to an app which guides spectators through the entire tournament experience.
Wa'hab is the first organisation to develop a strategic programme to re-distribute surplus food, by using technology and social media to promote the use of excess unmarketable food, leading to a reduction in waste.
For Mamukoya, however, the motivation behind Wa'hab wasn't just sustainability."Though at one point, Wa'hab was only a dream, it is now something that benefits the lives of many people around us, if implemented the right way. We feel that Wa'hab can have a huge impact on our society. The recent blockade on Qatar by its neighbours has only increased the significance of such an initiative to connect food to those in need," she said.
The organisation's recent Ramadan campaign was one of their most successful initiatives to date. Over 20 tonnes of non-perishable essential food items were collected from leading food distributors, with additional donations from schools and sports events including BE Basketball, organised by Force Sports.
With the assistance of volunteers, Wa'hab distributed over 600 Ramadan gift boxes to beneficiaries in workers' accommodations.
Large quantities of food items and used clothes were distributed to families in need, with assistance from partners including RAF, Eid Charity and organisations such as the Pakistan Welfare Forum.
With influential supporters on board, such as social media personality and food aficionado Kim Wyatt (aka Mama Baba Ganoush), who recently joined the team as a co-director and chief information officer, the organisation is only set to get bigger and better.
