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Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- General
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation reviews 2024 achievements
These efforts contributed to supporting 2,769 orphans and 1,186 families across Sharjah and its affiliated regions, in addition to empowering 170 newly enrolled orphans—bringing the total number of empowered children by year-end to 2,035. Constructive Efforts Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi expressed her appreciation for the efforts exerted by the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation, underscoring the importance of sustaining humanitarian work that enhances the quality of life for orphans. She said: 'What the Foundation delivers reflects a deep humanitarian commitment. These achievements are not just numbers; they are success stories that inspire us to continue giving. Empowerment is not limited to financial support—it includes capacity building and boosting self-confidence, which the Foundation has successfully achieved through its comprehensive programmes.' For her part, Mona bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Foundation, expressed her gratitude for the presence of Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela at the meeting, affirming that the achievements reflect the Foundation's vision to empower children and their families, drawing inspiration from the guidance and support of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. She added: 'The year 2024 marked a pivotal milestone in which the Foundation accomplished qualitative achievements across various empowerment domains, with international participation in prestigious events such as the United Nations' Summit of the Future and other scientific and educational conferences. We were also honoured with the Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Award for Best Charity Performance in the Arab World.' Al Suwaidi confirmed that these accomplishments are the result of an effective strategy and the continuous support of the wise leadership and generous partners from individuals and institutions. She emphasised the Foundation's commitment to continually developing its programmes and expanding its impact, based on its belief that investing in children is an investment in the future of society. Conferences on Arab and Global Levels Throughout 2024, the Foundation participated in a number of prominent global and Arab conferences, furthering its role in supporting scientific research, innovation, and engagement in global developmental issues. These included two conferences in Saudi Arabia, namely the Third Scientific Conference for Psychological Studies, where the Foundation presented a study on the effectiveness of its guidance programme 'Takhaṭṭā' (Overcoming), which helps orphans cope with loss. It also had a notable presence at the Educational Innovation Conference, offering new insights on the impact of the pioneering 'Allama bil Qalam' initiative in delivering psychological and educational support to orphans. Additionally, the Foundation participated in the UN Civil Society Conference supporting the Summit of the Future in Nairobi, Kenya—laying the groundwork for involvement in the actual summit, including workshops focused on youth leadership in the future and innovation in humanitarian projects. Global Quality Management System The Foundation reaffirmed its full commitment to global quality standards and its continued implementation of certified quality management systems. This comes within the scope of maintaining its ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System certification, ensuring the best practices in delivering services to beneficiaries. Empowerment Achievements The Foundation continued to achieve qualitative progress in 2024 by providing comprehensive support to its beneficiaries through academic, economic, social, psychological, health, environmental, and professional empowerment programmes, solidifying its leading role in sustainable empowerment. Zakat and Donations Expenditures Total expenditures provided to families amounted to approximately AED 27 million, allocated to fund all projects supporting orphan families throughout the year. Economic Empowerment of Families A total of 1,169 families and 2,744 children benefited from zakat funds and Ramadan provisions during the holy month. The 'Iftar Project' supported 248 families and 772 children through contributions from hotels, restaurants, and community members, who helped provide meal vouchers for orphan families—enhancing the spirit of social solidarity. Ramadan gifts were given to 9 newly enrolled families and 20 children, while the 'Eid Sweets' project during Eid Al Adha reached 199 families and 515 children to bring joy in preparation for the Eid celebration. Additionally, 327 children were gifted 'Eidiya' under the Eid gift project to complete their festive experience. The Foundation also supported orphans and their families through sponsorship projects, including the sponsorship of 331 orphans via the 'Sponsor an Orphan' project and 226 families via the 'Sponsor a Family' initiative. Moreover, urgent financial support to relieve hardships exceeded AED 2 million through the 'Jabr' (Relief) project. The education of students enrolled in the Foundation was supported through 585 education sponsorships, bringing the total number of sponsored students to 1,913 by the end of 2024. Also, 277 wishes were fulfilled through the 'Sidrat Al-Amani' (Tree of Wishes) project, raising the total number of fulfilled wishes since the project's launch to 3,666. Academic Support for Students A total of 1,058 students benefited from tuition fee payments and 99 students received educational devices. The Foundation awarded 8 university scholarships and honoured 34 outstanding students, in addition to organising 10 Umrah trips. Educational support lessons benefited 156 students, while 9 students with learning difficulties were also supported. Moreover, 165 students attended specialised skills-development courses, and 18 students were enrolled in IELTS exams. School visits were conducted for 735 students across 101 schools. Social Empowerment The Foundation enhanced the social empowerment of its beneficiaries through social services, which supported 146 children and 59 guardians, and individual case studies for 333 children. Social programmes included the 'Sanad Al-Bayt' (Home Support) project, which served 85 young men, 84 girls, and 69 guardians. Social support and counseling programmes were also delivered to 333 children. Additionally, group activities and seasonal programmes benefited 553 guardians and 72 children, while the support groups programme served 52 guardians. A total of 71 mothers were honoured on International Women's Day and Mother's Day in recognition of their efforts in raising children. Mental Health Care The Foundation focused on providing psychological support for orphans and their families through counseling sessions and services that benefited 279 children and 84 guardians. The 'Takhaṭṭā' programme, aimed at helping orphans overcome the trauma of loss, was conducted with the participation of 23 children. Healthcare Services Treatment costs were covered for 40 children and 30 guardians, while 240 children and 145 guardians received free medical check-ups. Additionally, health awareness workshops were held for 84 girls. Meeting Environmental Needs The environmental needs of orphan families were addressed through environmental aid worth nearly AED 2 million, benefiting 284 families and 719 children. The 'Jodran' (Walls) project provided necessary home repairs for 6 houses. Developing Vocational Skills The Foundation worked to enhance the job-readiness of its children by training 38 participants across 4 entities, and conducting 4 vocational workshops that benefited 109 children and 6 guardians. Sustainable Impact Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation continues its efforts to provide comprehensive, sustainable support to orphans, ensuring their independence and quality of life across all aspects of empowerment. The Foundation reaffirms its commitment to continuously evolving its initiatives to secure a dignified life for its beneficiaries and amplify its social impact in line with its vision.
Al Etihad
12-06-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
Sharjah to host 'Inclusion International's World Congress'
12 June 2025 08:56 SHARJAH (WAM)Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate is set to host the Inclusion International's 18th World Congress from September 15-17, 2025. This momentous event will take place for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa, under the theme 'We are Inclusion.'The Congress is one of the most significant international gatherings for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their by the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) in collaboration with Inclusion International, and supported by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) as the official media and logistics partner, the congress will convene at Expo Centre event is expected to welcome around 850 participants, including self-advocates, family members, professionals, and representatives of local, regional, and international organisations from over 115 countries. These attendees will come from across five global regions, spanning the Middle East, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific Sharjah edition of the congress comes at a time when intellectual disability remains one of the most complex forms of disability, often involving challenges related to learning, communication, and independent living. Such events challenge these barriers by enabling this community, equipping families, and guiding institutions toward practices that ensure full societal its 2025 edition, the congress aims to empower individuals to advocate for themselves and take part in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Since its inception in 1963, the World Congress has protected the rights of people with intellectual disabilities by amplifying their voices, promoting self-advocacy, and advancing policies that create supportive and sustainable was chosen as the host city due to its inclusive and accessible environment, strategic location, and advanced infrastructure that caters to the needs of people with disabilities. The choice also recognises the prominent role played by SCHS, a long-time member of Inclusion International, which has been a leading advocate for their rights for Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director-General of SCHS, stated, 'We are proud that Sharjah is hosting this global event for the first time in the MENA region, reflecting the emirate's ongoing commitment to improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and supporting their families.'She noted that the World Congress embodies Sharjah's vision of building communities where people with intellectual disabilities have a real voice and influence in shaping policies and decisions. She added that the emirate has consistently prioritised turning inclusion into a practical reality, emphasising active involvement and collective responsibility throughout has been officially named as an 'Accessible City for the Physically Disabled,' and is widely known for its highly developed infrastructure, inclusive public spaces, and proven capacity to host international events. These attributes, Sheikha Jameela noted, make it an ideal location for a congress of this scale and emphasised that Sharjah has adopted a robust rights-based approach to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities by facilitating their access to education, employment, healthcare, and decision-making. The emirate's inclusive infrastructure is designed to meet the highest standards of accessibility across public Jameela stated that the congress demonstrates the progress Sharjah has made in this field, providing a global platform to exchange experiences, highlight best practices, and collaborate towards a more inclusive and equitable three-day event will address critical topics, including inclusive education, community and family support, employment, humanitarian services, healthcare, deinstitutionalisation, legal decision-making, social protection, self-advocacy, and capacity building for organisations working in the disability leaders, government officials, policy experts, and advocates from around the world are expected to contribute, making the congress a strategic platform for shaping actionable recommendations that promote inclusion every four years, the World Congress brings together self-advocates, families, and professionals to share ideas, success stories, and challenges, all of which contribute to reinforcing the global identity and collective momentum of the inclusion movement. As part of its call to action, SCHS is inviting governments, institutions, educators, healthcare providers, and social organisations to participate in this event and help build environments where dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity are upheld for all.
