Jaber Al Muhannadi with his money-saving box.
A nine-year-old student at Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Tariq Bin Ziad School (TBZ) has made a box with an innovative design that would encourage people to save money, give to charity and spend on their goals.
Jaber Al Muhannadi has made the hexagonal-shaped money-saving box as part of the school’s ‘Have an Impact’ initiative launched in February.
“I wanted to find a way to get people to spend and save at the same time,” said Al Muhannadi.
“When you receive money, it’s very easy to feel the need to spend it on things like clothes or toys, but it’s important to think of your future self and those in need,” he said speaking to The Peninsula.
The box is ingeniously divided into four parts. “I have chosen the Islamic font Alkofi and went with a gold tone of yellow for my dots as it represents money and gold.”
“One part of the box is dedicated to savings and another to Sadaqah (voluntary charity). The other two are for projects and goals,” he said.
Al Muhannadi designed the box after extensive research and experimentation. He has visited various factories in Doha to perfect every detail of the box.
“I visited different factories in Doha with my family to come up with the perfect box. And it was a long process of finding the right materials, cutting, and shaping. I wanted to make it cool to save money,” he said.
According to Al Muhannadi, his innovative creation holds other value beyond its practical application.
He says that the box not only provides an effective way to save money and support charitable causes, but it also serves as an invaluable tool for teaching others about the importance of goal setting.
Through the ‘Have an Impact’ initiative, students at TBZ – part of QF’s Pre-University Education – were exposed to a diverse range of educational opportunities through a series of workshops.
These workshops covered topics from investment strategies and brand identity development to marketing techniques through social media channels.
The young innovators had the opportunity to participate in more specialized workshops, including exciting sessions that allowed them to unleash their creativity and bring their ideas to life.
“The entrepreneurial involvement of students ignites economic activity and infuses a fresh perspective into the marketplace. Demonstrating an exceptional ability to think outside the conventional boundaries and develop innovative marketing ideas, the students have astounded us all,” said Dr. Latifa Al Darwish, a businesswoman, consultant, and mentor who guided the students through various workshops.
“Empowering children with entrepreneurial skills from an early age lays a foundation for a lifelong investment that evolves with them and adapts to the changing needs of the community,” Al Darwish added.
This immersive and hands-on experience provided an unparalleled learning opportunity for these aspiring entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the dynamic and ever-changing business world.
As a result, students have invented some 35 new methods including making exquisite perfume-making, writing and illustrating books, and stylish bracelet designs.
