Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 17 April, 2019:   Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has announced the 2019 edition of its “Adopt a School” initiative. The fundraising initiative invites UAE-based individuals and organizations to adopt one or more schools in Cambodia, Malawi, Nepal and/or Senegal. 

 

Donors will also have the opportunity to travel alongside colleagues, friends and family on a week-long volunteering mission to immerse themselves in the local community that will host the new school, thus allowing them to understand, connect with and appreciate the local culture.

 

It costs as little as AED 162,500 to adopt a 3-classroom primary and secondary school benefitting 200 students in Cambodia; AED 132,000 to adopt a 2-classroom primary school benefitting 100 students in Malawi; AED 152,500 to adopt a 3-classroom primary school benefitting 90 students in Nepal; and AED 142,000 to adopt a 2-classroom primary school benefitting 60 students in Senegal. The funds do not only cover the construction of a new community-based school, but also cover the provision of book supplies, gender-specific latrines, teacher training and adult literacy courses. 

 

Commenting on the importance of this community-led initiative, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares, said: “We are grateful and humbled by the continuous support and interest from the UAE community in our “Adopt a School” initiative. 18 community-based schools in underprivileged and marginalized communities in developing countries were adopted in 2018, thus providing thousands of children in developing countries with access to quality education.

We hope that more schools are adopted this year, to allow more children who are currently denied access to quality education, to go to school, learn and prosper. ”

 

 

Patrick Chalhoub, Chalhoub Group said: “Today corporations are not judged only by their turnover, revenue and profit but are also judged based on the engagement with and impact on the community. Dubai Cares’ ‘Adopt a school’ initiative gives us this opportunity because it is a complete package; it includes building the school infrastructure, renovation, putting together a curriculum, in addition to training teachers. It is absolutely focused on building and running a successful school.”

 

Gary Chapman, danta said: “Dubai Cares’ ‘Adopt a School’ initiative is very much about giving children an opportunity through education to better themselves, and to take advantage of the opportunities out there. So for us this initiative is a perfect fit. It is truly a great cause; one that we are very pleased to be a part of.”

 

Anurag Agrawal, Canon said: “Our Corporate philosophy, ‘Kyosei’, which means working and living together for common good, is all about giving our employees a chance to be part of the society. Opportunities like volunteering with Dubai Cares through the ‘Adopt a School’ initiative give us a chance to contribute to society and consequently gives our employees enrichment from within.”