These days may be challenging for some people, but more often than not, the solution to many of our problems lies in the way we face them.
Ramadan is the time for self-purification and patience. The experience of the holy moth is also extraordinary this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. If taken in a positive way, this experience can also make people stronger and more resilient.
Thierry Lesales, French expatriate, stresses this point by saying: “We should hopefully learn some good lessons from this experience, and we’ll come out of this crisis better as persons, members of a more resilient and stronger community.”
Hailing from Martinique, one of the French islands in the Caribbean, Thierry has been in Qatar for six years. “I work as a journalist/producer for one of the public radio stations. I have a background in geography and enjoy sharing my passion for nature and the environment. I’ve been volunteering with fantastic people from the Qatar Natural History Group, which allows me to discover and appreciate the nature, the culture, and the history of the Peninsula. We usually do this through a series of talks and outings.”
In his recent conversation with Community, the French expat said that his family was taking the staying-at-home orders as an opportunity to spend time together. “For my family, the Covid-19 crisis really hit with the closure of schools in early March and the fact that my wife, who was coming back from attending a funeral abroad, had to self-quarantine at home for two weeks. Shortly after, the radio station took some measures so that employees could work from home.
“We’ve taken this opportunity to enjoy spending time together as a family, adjusting to our new schedules, around homeschooling, working from home, and discovering new activities. We try to limit our children’s screen time as much as possible so that we can play board games, do some puzzles, and they can help with the house chores. But it’s challenging at times. We spend more time in the kitchen, cooking, and experimenting with new ideas. For instance, we have started canning our garden tomatoes, baking our bread, making some home-made jams, and ice creams. And we truly enjoy this time together.”
Thierry is not oblivious to the precautions required to avoid catching the coronavirus. “We try to limit the interactions with other people as much as possible. To understand how social distancing should work in our daily activities, we should act as if we are already contaminated, so we try to protect the people around us. We still go out as a family, for a walk or a bike ride now and then.
“We understand the importance of taking part in some sort of physical activity, just for our mental well-being, but we expressly avoid crowded places.”
The environment volunteer is also a nature lover. “As a nature lover, I also feel the need to go out in the desert. It’s a moment of peace and quietness, away from the city’s hustle and bustle. I do enjoy bird watching, and since March-April represents the peak of the migration season, I ventured out of Doha, by myself or with my children. It’s always exciting to make new observations. It’s a very soothing pastime, and accessible to everyone. Very often, it’s not necessary to leave the city to enjoy the birds. We’ve seen various warblers, Blue-cheeked bee-eaters, and Eurasian hoopoes in Doha. I am very grateful that we have the opportunity to practice this hobby while respecting the recommendations to fight the spread of the virus. As a whole, we’re trying to keep a positive attitude, trying to focus on what’s possible, with what we have.”
Thierry also empathises with those who are in need of community support during hard times. “We realise that some members of our community have been hit hard when activities ceased, so we’re trying to help through some donations, or simply sharing groceries. Many people are suffering, because of job losses or anxiety, and there are plenty of opportunities to bring a bit of relief to those around us.”
The radio producer has experienced Ramadan in Qatar at its full swing but finds this holy month quite different. “This year, the holy month is quite different from what we’ve ever experienced before. It’s a time of quietness, the pace is slow. There’s no need to rush for activities. Staying at home seems to make the deprivations easier to bear. But it’s an opportunity to take some time to meditate and to reflect on our way of life, on what’s truly important. We won’t have any lavish Iftar at a fancy hotel, but we miss our friends.
“We should hopefully learn some good lessons from this experience, and we’ll get out of this crisis better persons, members of a more resilient and stronger community.”
u201cThis year, the holy month is quite different from what we’ve ever experienced before. It’s a time of quietness, the pace is slow. There’s no need to rush for activities. Staying at home seems to make the deprivations easier to bear. But it’s an opportunity to take some time to meditate and to reflect on our way of life, on what’s truly important. We won’t have any lavish Iftar at a fancy hotel, but we miss our friendsu201d u2014 Thierry Lesales
