Through a three-year partnership with GEMS Wellington Qatar, Orenda Learning’s Be The Change programme is equipping students with the mindset, skills, and confidence to lead meaningful community action aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
A Partnership Built on Shared Purpose
When GEMS Wellington School Qatar joined forces with Orenda Learning to introduce Be The Change in 2022, both organisations envisioned a learning journey that moved beyond awareness toward authentic action.
GEMS Wellington Qatar is a dynamic, forward thinking school offering the National Curriculum for England and focused on preparing their students for their lives as global citizens. As part of the GEMS Wellington Qatar mission students “will be independent, innovative thinkers who will possess a strong sense of personal and global responsibility with the ability to shape their own destiny” (GEMS Wellington Qatar, 2025). This vision and ethos was the ideal foundation for a partnership with Orenda Learning and has a strong synergy with the Be The Change curriculum.
Designed around the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Be The Change helps young people explore the connections between empathy, leadership, and social impact through a blend of social and emotional learning, systems thinking and community engagement.
“…This programme enriches student lives to want to give back to the local community. When students leave our school, we want them to be active global citizens and this programme empowers them to be this as they embark on their life beyond the school classroom...I would highly recommend this programme”.
- Gemma, Assistant Headteacher & Head of Sixth Form, GEMS Wellington Qatar
Now in its third year, the partnership continues to evolve, fostering a generation of students who see themselves not only as learners, but as active global citizens.
In Be The Change, young people learn about being open-hearted: warm, non-judgemental and approachable with others, recognising the interconnectedness of life. Taking an open-hearted approach to changemaking builds deeper connections with others and the environment. It signifies a deep, intrinsic motivation to create positive change. When we connect with the world from our hearts, seeing the interconnection of life and our part of the whole, we can’t help but become emotionally connected. Changemaking that comes from this place and connects with the vision of a better world is underpinned by a powerful emotional drive.
When personal values are authentically aligned with changemaking, actions taken become more genuine and impactful. Holistic learning that is centered around values will help young people to cultivate positive core beliefs and qualities which can support them to lead happy, fulfilled and purposeful lives. A focus on understanding the needs and perspectives of others supports changemaking that is compassionate and empathetic. Thoughtful actions foster a collaborative and heart-centered approach that is rooted in care for others.
Transformative Learning in Action
Feedback from GEMS Wellington’s second cohort highlights the programme’s reach and resonance.
According to the school’s BTC Student Feedback & Self-Assessment Survey:
- 100% of students reported increased awareness of the global and local challenges we face.
- Over 90% said the course made them feel empowered and equipped to lead change.
- Nearly 80% said BTC had either inspired them to start a service project or deepened an existing one
Abid’s Story: Turning Inspiration into Action
For GEMS student Abid, BTC sparked a life-changing journey. During his time in the programme, he discovered a passion for youth empowerment and community collaboration. That summer, he founded Link, a student-led initiative dedicated to service and social connection.
“Over the summer, I had the opportunity to dive deeper into community work, and I was greatly inspired by BTC. This led me to start my own student-led organisation called ‘Link’.” – Abid, GEMS Wellington Qatar
Through Link, Abid and his peers have launched projects that “link compassion with action” (Link, 2024) for young people in Qatar. His story captures what BTC seeks to nurture: self-initiated, values-driven changemaking rooted in empathy and purpose.
Action That Builds Community: The Ramadan Iftar Project
The power of compassion and action also came to life in GEMS Wellington’s Ramadan Food Drive, one of many service projects born from BTC learning.
Students raised over 18,000 Qatari Riyals, organised catering, and distributed 1,720 iftar boxes to migrant workers and security guards across Doha. Each meal - a box of biryani, dates, and water - became a gesture of gratitude and solidarity.
“When we served iftar meals to the workers, we weren’t just giving food; we were recognising people’s dignity and value.” – BTC student
The project embodied some of BTC’s key learning principles: reciprocal community relationships, and action grounded in reflection. It also gave students practical experience in leadership, communication, and project management - core future ready skills that BTC seeks to develop.
Cultivating Global Citizens and Educating for Sustainability
BTC’s framework draws directly on UNESCO’s Global Citizenship Education (GCED) approach, encouraging students to connect local experiences with global understanding. Lessons on reciprocity and systems thinking invite learners to explore the deeper structures that shape inequality and opportunity.
“Before we can create meaningful change in the world, we have to reflect on our own beliefs and biases. The course made me realise that good intentions aren’t enough - impact matters more than intent.” – BTC student
“I realised that being a global citizen means taking responsibility - not just for your community but for the planet.” – BTC student
BTC also incorporates key aspects of Education for Sustainable Development, explicitly teaching systems change through practical skill development, systems thinking and contextualised learning.
By integrating reflection, critical inquiry, and action, BTC equips young people with the knowledge, skills, qualities and agency to navigate, and improve, our rapidly changing and complex world. .
Collaboration at the Core
From its inception, the GEMS Wellington Qatar-Orenda partnership has been built on collaboration. Orenda Learning worked closely with teachers to tailor BTC content for the school’s local context - blending global frameworks with Qatari culture and Islamic values. This adaptive model ensures that BTC complements existing curricula while elevating the school’s broader vision for character education and sustainability.
Looking to the Future
As the partnership enters its third year, GEMS Wellington Qatar and Orenda Learning are exploring new ways to deepen the programme’s reach, from inter-school collaboration to alumni mentorship and student-led conferences on sustainability.
Students themselves are driving this evolution, requesting more real-world case studies, interactive workshops, and cross-cultural exchanges. Their feedback mirrors BTC’s core belief that change grows through connection.
“Going forward, I’ll carry these lessons with me in my future career and personal life, always remembering that I have both the power and the responsibility to be part of the change.” - BTC Student
“Even small actions can create a ripple effect in a community. Leadership isn’t about titles, but about using your voice and empathy to inspire others.” – BTC student
“The most significant thing I learned from the Be The Change course was the power of individual action in driving collective impact. The course taught me that real change doesn't always start with large movements — it often begins with small, intentional decisions made consistently.” - BTC student
These reflections demonstrate the course’s emphasis on transformative learning, where critical reflection leads to personal growth, and personal growth becomes the foundation for collective change.
Photo Caption: BTC student volunteering at QAWS (Qatar Animal Welfare Society). Students walked the dogs, fed the animals, and ensured they were cared for and comforted.
A Shared Vision of Empowered Youth
Three years on, the GEMS Wellington Qatar and Orenda Learning partnership stands as a testament to what’s possible when education, empathy, and collaboration converge.
Through Be The Change, GEMS Wellington Qatar and Orenda Learning have created a model for global citizenship education that moves beyond theory - empowering young people to see themselves as capable, connected, and compassionate agents of change.
