ISLAMABAD: The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) – a Sharjah-based international humanitarian foundation for the assistance of refugees and people in need around the world – has announced to donate $700,000 to fund the second phase of the establishment of a school for girls in Pakistan as part of its dedication to ensuring that girls have access to education, and enabling them to contribute to the development of their local communities.
The school project will be funded by the TBHF’s ‘Girl Child Fund’ in cooperation with the Malala Fund, launched by Nobel Laureate and female education activist Malala Yousafzai.
The move was announced in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, The Big Heart Foundation’s Humanitarian Envoy, and Malala Yousafzai, in Oxford, London, following an agreement signed by Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of TBHF, and Farah Muhammad, CEO of Malala Fund. The ceremony was also attended by Hassan Yaaqoub, Secretary-General of Sharjah Media Council, and Malala’s parents: Ziauddin Yousafzai and Toor Pekai Yousafzai.
The school is being constructed in Swat Valley, and the openening ceremony is scheduled in April 2018. The donation will fund the school’s second phase of development will open its doors to 350 girls in its 11 classrooms. Gradually, the educational services and school infrastructure will expand to accommodate 1,000 students in all grades.
Highlighting the symbolic role education has in contributing to building a better world, Al Qasimi said, “Under the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the directives of HH Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate of Sharjah believes in the importance of education, especially to young girls, in building a nation that is founded on virtues of tolerance, justice and peace socially and politically.
The Chairman, Sharjah Media Council and TBHF’s Humanitarian Envoy noted that many young girls worldwide face difficulties to have access to school, acquiring or even continuing their education, due to political unrest or various social and financial conditions that deprive them the right to education. He called for concerted efforts by international institutions to support girls and ensure their access to safe education, which would secure them a brighter future and help achieve developmental goals.
TBHF’s donation, covering half the project’s financial needs, will be used to build classrooms, science and computer labs, staff rooms, principal’s room, a reception area and playground facilities. The school will also include a library, laboratory, an activity hall, and a dormitory for female teachers from remote areas.
TBHF objectives:
To expand on the support offered to children in need and to provide them and their families with a secure and healthy environment through humanitarian care.
To facilitate increased cooperation with local and regional government bodies, international humanitarian organisations and UN agencies to support and provide children with a better life in the Middle East and North Africa region and around the world.
Assist with increased financial support, enabling the development of programmes and initiatives to support children and families in need
The Big Heart Foundation was established in May 2015 by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The organisation was set up to convene the wide-reaching humanitarian efforts based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the aim of helping children and their families in vulnerable situations outside of the UAE. The Big Heart Foundation’s mission is to work wherever support is most needed and has actioned change in many countries, including Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq and Syria, among others.
Originally set up as a fundraising campaign in June 2013, The Big Heart Foundation was developed into a full-fledged foundation, in 2015, to act as an umbrella organisation for overseeing the extensive international humanitarian support.
Published in Daily Times, January 20th 2018.
