Dar Al Atta’a treasure hunt helps raise OMR12,500 for underprivileged families in Oman

Muscat: An amount of OMR12,500 was raised at Dar Al Atta’a fourth annual treasure hunt, held at Shangri-La’s Barr al Jissah resort and spa over the weekend.
The money will be used to purchase new furniture and electronic items for 10 houses that are currently under construction as part of the ‘My home, my shelter’ programme, and will be handed over to underprivileged families once completed.
Fourteen teams, representing 11 companies, took part in this year’s event. Groups of five employees from each company were challenged in a series of brain teasers and physical activities that eventually lead to the treasure in a competitive, yet entertaining, journey that took participants to Qantab, Yiti and Wadi Mayh.
The activities were designed to boost team building and communication among team members, most of whom came together from different departments within their companies.
The challenge also helped participants improve team ethics outside their work places.
Towards the end of the treasure hunt, a cake decoration assignment was given to participants, which tested their creative and artistic skills.
Shell Oman Marketing Company came in first to win the pirate-themed treasure hunt 2016, while team Al Khonji won the cake decorating contest.
Also, prizes for the best dressed and most enthusiastic team went to Daleel Petroleum and Gulf Energy Services, respectively.
Vivianna, captain of the Shell Oman Marketing team, said her group was excited about winning and, at the same time, supporting a noble cause, noting, “All the tasks were a lot of fun and the last one was really interesting. This is my second time taking part and I am super excited that we have finally won.”
Participating teams from both the public and private sectors included Al Khonji Group, Shell Oman Marketing Company, Enhance company, Al Daleel petroleum, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC), Omantel, Shangri-la’ Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa, Aster Hospital, Oman Be’ah, Saraya Bandar Jissah and Gulf Energy.
Mariam Al Zadjali, chairperson of Dar al Atta’a added, “The association successfully managed to maintain 75 houses in 2015, with Allah Almighty’s blessings and support, and this event will offer even more financial support to provide furniture for a number of these houses. We extend our gratitude to the participating companies for their cooperation and support for our charitable work.”
Participants in the treasure hunt were enthusiastic about taking part in the activities and said that they would look forward to more events. Carla from Al Khonji Group, who is originally from Portugal, said, “I am here with my team and I enjoyed every bit of the treasure hunt. It was fun because we now know different people working in our company. Otherwise, I only knew the girls from the gym where I work. But now we also met people from the office. I hope this will be organized more often, because it really helps us unwind.”
Khaled Jarrar from PriceWaterhouseCoopers added, “This is our third year taking part. What I really liked best was the camaraderie and all the fun. It was a beautiful day and all went for a good cause. We would love to come back next year with two teams.”