Latest news with #TheBigHeartFoundation
Gulf Today
23-06-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Refugee needs extend beyond survival: TBHF
On the eve of World Refugee Day, marked on June 20, Alya Al Musaiebi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) said, ' the essentials of a dignified life today are widely accepted to include food, shelter, education, healthcare, and safety.' These are considered the basis for human survival. Yet what we often overlook is that 'essentials' are not fixed; they shift depending on where we are, and sometimes, who we are. This becomes clear when we compare stable societies with refugee communities. In the former, necessities are often taken for granted. Over time, needs evolve—towards freedom of expression, creativity, personal growth, and fulfillment. In refugee communities, however, needs multiply in proportion to loss. Refugees long for a home, memories, school, protection, and the dream of a future, a need that only genuine human solidarity can fulfill, restoring a sense of reassurance to the spirit. This reality reminds us of a core principle in humanitarian work: the distinction between meeting basic needs and rebuilding the human spirit. Dignity, respect, and self-determination can take precedence over food or shelter. The need is not just to survive, but to feel alive. Without dignity, even food and medicine lose meaning. Aid must preserve self-respect and empower people as active participants in rebuilding their solidarity is not measured solely by what we provide, but by what we help keep alive within the individual. What keeps someone truly alive is not just bread and water, but passion, decision-making, expression, and the ability to dream. That's why at The Big Heart Foundation, we affirm that refugees are not a 'special case.' Our mission goes beyond physical needs—we must support to keep their spirit alive and their future is theirs to shape. We must move past viewing refugees solely as victims. Their needs extend beyond survival to all that gives life meaning. When dignity is restored, aid becomes partnership. Shelter becomes a home. The refugee becomes the architect of their future. Guided by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and supported by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi,Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation, we put dignity at the heart of our work. We ask ourselves: Have we listened? Have we preserved dignity? Have we made space for individuals to lead?
Sharjah 24
20-06-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Dignity: The right that must never be forgotten
This becomes clear when we compare stable societies with refugee communities. In the former, necessities are often taken for granted. Over time, needs evolve—towards freedom of expression, creativity, personal growth, and fulfillment. In refugee communities, however, needs multiply in proportion to loss. Refugees long for a home, memories, school, protection, and the dream of a future, a need that only genuine human solidarity can fulfill, restoring a sense of reassurance to the spirit. This reality reminds us of a core principle in humanitarian work: the distinction between meeting basic needs and rebuilding the human spirit. Dignity, respect, and self-determination can take precedence over food or shelter. The need is not just to survive, but to feel alive. Without dignity, even food and medicine lose meaning. Aid must preserve self-respect and empower people as active participants in rebuilding their solidarity is not measured solely by what we provide, but by what we help keep alive within the individual. What keeps someone truly alive is not just bread and water, but passion, decision-making, expression, and the ability to dream. That's why at The Big Heart Foundation, we affirm that refugees are not a 'special case.' Our mission goes beyond physical needs—we must support to keep their spirit alive and their future is theirs to shape. We must move past viewing refugees solely as victims. Their needs extend beyond survival to all that gives life meaning. When dignity is restored, aid becomes partnership. Shelter becomes a home. The refugee becomes the architect of their future. Guided by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and supported by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi,Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation, we put dignity at the heart of our work. We ask ourselves: Have we listened? Have we preserved dignity? Have we made space for individuals to lead? On World Refugee Day, our message is clear: let us redefine solidarity. Let us make dignity a measure of success. Because without dignity, a person cannot rise—and if we strip it from others, we lose our own humanity.
Sharjah 24
19-06-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Crown Prince honours 22nd SAVW winners
Recognition of distinguished personalities The ceremony, hosted at the Sharjah Education Academy, recognised His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Humanitarian Envoy of The Big Heart Foundation, in the Veteran Personalities category for his exceptional contributions to humanitarian and volunteer work. Also recognised were Sheikh Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Advisor at the Ruler's Office, for his distinguished volunteer and charitable efforts in community service, and Khamis bin Salem Al Suwaidi, Advisor at the Ruler's Office, for his notable community service contributions. Overview of the Award His Highness the Crown Prince was presented with a comprehensive overview of the award's 14 categories, which included details on the number of winners, honourees, veteran figures, and the sustainable endowment initiatives backed by the award. Ceremony highlights The event commenced with the UAE national anthem, followed by a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Attendees, including His Highness, then viewed a theatrical performance and a video presentation that emphasised the value of family volunteering and its positive impact on both individuals and society, reinforcing principles of social cohesion and solidarity. Showcasing Award milestones A second video showcased key award milestones, featuring notable figures, statistics on participants and winners across various categories, total recorded volunteer hours, and the accomplishments of the honourees. Chairman's address: Reinforcing volunteerism In his address, Ahmed Ibrahim Al Mail, Chairman of the Social Services Department and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work, reaffirmed Sharjah's commitment—under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah—to promoting volunteerism and a culture of community giving. He highlighted that over the award's 22-year history, hundreds of individuals and institutions have been recognised for exemplary humanitarian and volunteer initiatives, helping to strengthen social unity and solidarity. Celebrating impact and innovation Al Mail praised the esteemed status the award has attained, noting its role as a prominent platform for celebrating innovation in charitable work, cultivating a sense of social responsibility among youth, and inspiring both public and private sector institutions to implement meaningful volunteer initiatives. Inclusivity and moral commitment He further stressed that the award encourages participation from all community segments, including persons with disabilities and the elderly. Volunteerism, he noted, transcends age and circumstance, driven by a deep-seated belief in serving others. Quoting the words of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, he said: 'Volunteer work is a noble human value and a vital contributor to achieving comprehensive societal development. It fosters moral values through active participation and boundless generosity.' A call to continue the journey Concluding his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees congratulated the award winners, extended his appreciation to the judging panel, the board members, and all those who contributed to elevating the award's status. He urged everyone to continue on the path of volunteering, describing it as both a humanitarian obligation and a driving force for social cohesion and sustainable growth. Jury Chairman's address For his part, Dr Abdul Aziz bin Butti Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work Jury, delivered a speech in which he emphasised the significant role volunteers play in strengthening community cohesion and solidarity. He noted that the 22nd edition witnessed widespread participation, revealing that the award received 292 applications, of which 142 were qualified. These applications were carefully reviewed, and the winners were selected with precision and transparency according to clear and objective criteria. This reflects the award's prestigious position in promoting the culture of volunteering and its lofty values in the UAE. Acknowledging support and encouragement The Chairman of the Jury expressed his sincere appreciation to the Board of Trustees for its ongoing support, which has played a vital role in the award's growth and success. He highlighted that this support reflects the Board's strong commitment to the award's mission and noble objectives. He encouraged all participants to continue their volunteer efforts and actively contribute to community service, wishing them continued success and distinction in this meaningful endeavour. Best Volunteer Opportunity Creator Award His Highness honoured the award's 14 different categories. In the Best Volunteer Opportunity Creator Award, Dubai Municipality won in the Government Institutions category for the "One Hour with a Cleaning Engineer" opportunity, while the Emirates Cancer Society won in the Non-Governmental Institutions category for the "Health Awareness Ambassadors Programme." Distinguished Supporter of Volunteer Work Award In the Distinguished Supporter of Volunteer Work Award, the Dubai Police General Command took first place, and the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi took second place in the Government Institutions category. Mohammed Issa Al Hammadi won first place in the Individuals category. Best Volunteer Initiative Award The Dubai Police General Command received the Best Volunteer Initiative Award in the Government Institutions category for its 'Establishing Protection Schools' initiative. In the Families category, the family of Mohammed Abdullah Mohammed Al Ali was honoured for their 'My Book is My Friend' initiative, while Fatima Ismail Al Sarayrah won in the Individuals category for her 'Statement for Autism' initiative. Volunteer teams and private sector recognition The Abaqira Volunteer Team earned first place in the Volunteer Teams category for their initiative, "Integrating Our Children with Our Elders," while the Najah Academic Centre at Abu Dhabi University secured the top spot in the Private Sector category for their 'Peer Mentoring Program.' Volunteer hours record Winners Ismail Halkouj set the record in the Individual category with 3,978 volunteer hours. In the Family category, Hanan Saeed Saeed Salem's family claimed first place with 306 hours. The Ataa Hamdan Volunteer Team topped the Volunteer Team category, contributing an impressive 45,477 volunteer hours. University Student and Knight of Volunteer Work Awards The University Student Award for highest volunteer participation was awarded to Batoul Saadi Ibrahim Al-Najjar, who completed 1,943 volunteer hours. The Knight of Volunteer Work Award went to Tabarak Saadi Al-Najjar for achieving 1,606 volunteer hours. Asalah Award for Elderly Participation The Asalah Award for Best Volunteer Participation by the Elderly was awarded to Halima Ahmed Saif Al Naqbi, who earned first place with 86 volunteer hours. Latifa Mahmoud Mohammed secured second place with 26 hours, while Mira Hamad Saif Al Ketbi came in third with 25 hours. Himma Award for Volunteer Participation The Himma Award for Best Volunteer Participation was awarded to Salem Mohammed Karim, who claimed first place with 1,296 volunteer hours. Ayman Azhari Ali earned second place with 575.2 hours, while Salma Khamis Hamdan Al Salami secured third place with 301 hours. Civil society and volunteer leadership awards In the Best Civil Society Award category, the International Charity Organisation from Ajman secured first place, while the Hamdan Volunteer Team was recognised as the Best Volunteer Team. Sultan Salem Al Kaabi received the Best Young Leader of a Volunteer Team Award, and Dr Ahmed Mohammed Al Kamali was honoured with the Role Model Volunteer Award. Arada Real Estate Development Company earned the Excellence in Social Responsibility Award, and the Al Khalidiya Suburb Council was named Best Suburb in Volunteer Work. Special volunteer category honourees His Highness also honoured the recipients in the Special Volunteer Category, recognising outstanding blood donors including: Adel Abdulrahman Al Ali, Ibrahim Mohammed Al Zarouni, Roger Nicola Sahioni, Abdullah Mohammed Al Mulla, Ibaa Nazir Shabouk, Mubarak Amoud Ghadban, Eid Rashid Al Mutlaq, Jassim Mohammed Al Shehhi, Raed Fadhel Ramadan, Mustafa Abdulrahman Dakhel, and Mohammed Kamal Nazir Al Lauwza. Supporting Sharjah's volunteer vision This annual award is part of the Emirate of Sharjah's ongoing efforts to promote and support volunteerism, celebrate exemplary contributions in the field, and foster sustainable development while strengthening social solidarity within the community. Distinguished guests in attendance The honouring ceremony was attended by Sheikh Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Advisor at the Ruler's Office; Sheikh Dr Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler's Office; Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai; along with several senior officials and award recipients.
Gulf Today
26-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Jawaher donates Dhs7m to fund 3 humane projects in Zanzibar, benefit over 82,000
Under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), the Foundation has announced the implementation of three critical humanitarian and developmental projects in Zanzibar with a total funding of Dhs7 million. These projects reflect TBHF's strategic expansion across the African continent and aim to address pressing challenges in education, health services, and socio-economic empowerment. The announcement follows Her Highness's official visit to Zanzibar in the United Republic of Tanzania last year, during which she assessed the developmental needs of local communities. Sheikha Jawaher interacts with a child. TBHF will implement the projects in collaboration with Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation and Save the Children, aiming to impact more than 82,440 direct and indirect beneficiaries through a comprehensive plan to foster long-term social and economic development. A vision of sustainable humanitarianism Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi's leadership continues to shape TBHF's humanitarian approach and its initiatives in Zanzibar. During her September 2024 visit, Her Highness met with Maryam Mwinyi, First Lady of Zanzibar and President of Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation, who later visited Sharjah in February 2025 to engage with key institutions led by Her Highness and to explore Sharjah's pioneering model of inclusive social development. The two leaders discussed opportunities for collaboration to empower women and youth, recognising Sharjah's global reputation as a developmental model rooted in human capital, skills development, and community-based institutions. The newly announced projects directly support this vision by contributing to Zanzibar's national development agenda and the long-term sustainability of its social infrastructure. Alya Obaid Al Musaeibi, Director of TBHF, stated: 'At The Big Heart Foundation, we believe that humanitarian action should extend beyond emergency aid to create sustainable impact. These projects – in education, sanitation, and economic empowerment – reflect our commitment to long-term solutions, particularly those that uplift women and youth. By working with trusted local partners, we are ensuring that our support translates into meaningful, measurable change for individuals and communities.' Economic empowerment of women and youth through seaweed farming Over a one-year implementation period, TBHF will partner with the Zanzibar 'Maisha Bora Foundation', chaired by the First Lady of Zanzibar, to launch a social and economic empowerment programme benefiting 200 women and youth involved in seaweed farming. Sheikha Jawaher listens to a briefing during her visit. The initiative includes training in sustainable farming techniques, marketing strategies, and contract farming models to enhance productivity and secure income stability. It also aims to raise product quality standards and integrate small-scale producers into local and international markets. By boosting the value-added seaweed industry and linking it to the broader blue economy, the programme enhances the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises and contributes to Zanzibar's sustainable economic development. Clean and inclusive school environments for Zanzibar students To strengthen school infrastructure, TBHF has previously announced its collaboration with Save the Children to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities across four districts: Unguja, Kaskazini A & Kati, Pemba, Micheweni, and Mkoani. Over 18 months, this initiative will directly benefit 21,173 students and indirectly impact over 42,346 community members. The project includes the construction of 20 sanitation blocks (comprising 128 toilets) across 12 of 28 primary schools, designed to be age-appropriate, gender-segregated, and accessible for students with disabilities. It also provides hygiene kits and delivers health education sessions focused on menstrual hygiene management for girls, helping to reduce absenteeism and support uninterrupted education. Upgrading schools into modern learning hubs In a parallel 18-month programme with Save the Children, TBHF will rehabilitate Ghana Primary School and Shwaka Primary School to transform them into model institutions that provide equitable access to high-quality education. The project will benefit 1,114 students at Ghana School and 957 at Shwaka, with additional outreach to 16,848 students from neighbouring schools. The schools will be upgraded with modern classrooms, libraries, science and ICT labs, and sports facilities. The initiative will also promote digital learning and skill-building to prepare students for future challenges. TBHF's ongoing commitment to Africa Over the past decade, TBHF has launched 179 humanitarian projects across Africa, benefiting more than 1.4 million people in Tanzania, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Previous projects in Zanzibar include the Big Heart Mobile Medical Clinic, launched in 2024 to serve 20,000 patients annually, and a sanitation improvement initiative across 12 schools. The new initiatives deepen TBHF's role as a key catalyst of sustainable development in Africa, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). With these expanded efforts, TBHF continues to drive forward a people-centred model of change — one that empowers communities and builds a future of opportunity for generations to come.
Sharjah 24
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Reem BinKaram: ‘Precious Heart' inspired by Emirati 'Talli'
Craft and Heritage BinKaram stated that all the pieces unveiled today are crafted from high-purity royal jade and inspired by Emirati heritage, inspired by the Emirati craft of Talli. The collection features rings, necklaces, earrings, and pendants, embellished with gold, diamonds, and natural pearls. Supporting Global Projects In her statement to "Sharjah24", BinKaram added that the proceeds from the collection will go toward supporting The Big Heart Foundation's projects around the world. The market value of the collection exceeds £9.7 million. Message of Impact The 'Precious Heart' collection reflects the message of Sharjah and the UAE, blending modernity with tradition, beauty with creativity, and a human-driven will to bring meaningful change to the lives of millions worldwide.
