DUBAI SHOWS HOW MUCH IT CARES FOR KIDS
Dubai Cares’ donors, partners and supporters come together to celebrate 10 years of giving
1m
the number of kids Dubai Cares initially wanted to help
16m
kids it has actually helped over the decade
45
number of countries the charity is operating in
263m
children the charity wants to help worldwide
dubai — The ‘now and then’ portrait of Bangladeshi village boy, Shamin, perfectly encapsulates the selfless work Dubai Cares has carried out since its inception in 2007. His is a smile that tells a thousand words.
A decade ago, Shamin was one of the first children to receive support from Dubai Cares. But since then it has helped more that 16 million children, worldwide.
On Wednesday — to mark its10th birthday — Shamin sent a very special message to the team that changed his life.
“I am so grateful for the help I received from Dubai Cares. You have given me so much hope for the future.”
A part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Wednesday’s Dubai Cares ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Commenting on Shamin’s video message, Sheikh Mohammed fondly said: “The boy I just saw reminded me of how much he grew up. This is (one of our many) journeys from day one and we thank you (the donors) a lot. We hope to continue this journey in the next ten years, and continue to teach because education is very important.”
Dubai Cares has gone above and beyond for the world’s needy, and CEO Tariq Al Gurg said it was Sheikh Mohammed who “planted the first seed.
“Initially, Sheikh Mohammed aimed to help one million needy children, but we have way exceeded that number and have since helped 16 million children from 45 developing countries.”
While its emphasis during its first 10 years has been on supporting primary school children, the organisation will now extend its reach to address the systemic factors and causes behind the large number of out-of-school children and youth globally.
“As many as 263 million kids around the world do not receive an education and we want to change that,” Al Gurg said.
And as he extended his gratitude to the UAE community and donors, he said it was time to look to the future.
Over the next 10 years, Dubai Cares will increase focus on funding interventions in areas where governments are unable to provide services to the most vulnerable children and young people.
It will also increase funding for research-oriented programmes, and establish pilot initiatives that provide meaningful and valuable evidence for governments, policy makers, and civil society.
These plans are all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 which is designed to be achieved by 2030.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed honoured donors from the community and unveiled a monument which featured and recognised the names of every single Dubai Cares donor who has supported the organisation throughout the past 10 years.
I am so grateful for the help I received from Dubai Cares. You have given me so much hope for the future.” Shamin, Bangladeshi village boy