April opening for Big Heart school for girls in Pakistan
sharjah — The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), a Sharjah-based charity dedicated to helping refugees and people in need worldwide, is funding the second phase of the establishment of a school for girls in Pakistan. The school project will be funded by TBHF’s ‘Girl Child Fund’, in cooperation with the ‘Malala Fund’, launched by Nobel Laureate and female education activist, Malala Yousafzai.
The announcement was made in Oxford, London, in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, TBHF’s humanitarian envoy, and Malala Yousafzai.
The school is being constructed in Swat Valley, Yousafzai’s home district in Pakistan. The TBHF’s donation of $700,000 (Dh2.57million) will fund the school’s second phase of development, which is set for completion in April 2018. It 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.
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed said: “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.
“It is important to recognise that supporting our young and future generations with education is a fundamental responsibility for the world. Cooperating with one another to achieve this is key to making sure that every young boy and girl has access to knowledge, and to opportunities for building a hopeful future.
“This future doesn’t only ensure the sustainability and continuity of wisdom, but will reflect its values on humanity as a whole, and on the positive impacts amongst communities and nations across the world.”
Malala Yousafzai said: “I overwhelmingly thank TBHF for believing in my dream of a world where girls can choose their own future path. With their support, the Malala Fund can provide edu- cation for girls in my hometown Swat Valley in Pakistan.”
The charity’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.
Mariam Al Hammadi, director of TBHF, said educated girls are empowered to deal with life’s challenges in a positive way and can make successful families. “We hope the new school will contribute to creating generations of confident and inspiring young women who are able to
We hope the new school will contribute to creating generations of confident and inspiring young women who are able to challenge difficulties and seize every great opportunity that comes their way.” Mariam Al Hammadi, director, TBHF
challenge difficulties and seize every great opportunity that comes their way,” she added. The TBHF Girl Child Fund will also partially cover the first two years of the school’s operational costs, including staff salaries, medical and security expenses, transportation, uniforms, books, stationary and other utilities.