Our Story
Education is a critical factor in every child’s development. Yet, millions of children around the world, particularly in developing countries, do not have access to quality primary education.
Education is also the most effective tool to break the cycle of poverty, a belief held by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It was with this belief and a desire to give children - regardless of their nationality, creed or religion - the opportunity to become positive contributors to society, that His Highness launched Dubai Cares in September 2007.
The launch marked the beginning of a fundraising campaign with AED 200 million as its target. Yet contributions far exceeded expectations, reaching over AED1.7 billion (USD480 million) – nearly nine fold the initial target. This achievement is a testament to the humanitarian values deeply rooted in UAE traditions and culture. It also shows the commitment of communities in the UAE to His Highness’ vision.
As part of its mandate, Dubai Cares works in countries with chronic deficiencies in primary education where it implements development programs that target the underlying causes preventing children from accessing quality primary education. Comprehensive in scope, the philanthropic organization's primary education programs integrate four key components: School Infrastructure; School Health & Nutrition; Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) in Schools; and Quality of Education.
Since its launch, Dubai Cares has partnered with international aid agencies, private foundations and NGOs including American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, buildOn, Care International, The End Fund, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Global Network, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, Médecins Sans Frontières, Microsoft, Oxfam, Partnership for Child Development, Plan International, Room to Read, Save the Children, Scholastic, Teri Press, UNICEF, UNRWA, WaterAid and World Food Program.
To date, Dubai Cares has implemented comprehensive primary education programs in 28 countries including Angola, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Ghana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Laos, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Sir Lanka, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen, Zambia and with Palestinian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon.
In a short time, Dubai Cares, with the help of communities in the UAE, is making a difference in the lives of children and their communities. To date, Dubai Cares is:
- Reaching more than 7 million children in 28 developing countries
- Building and renovating over 1,500 schools and classrooms
- Providing more than 1,000 water wells and potable water sources and constructing over 3,000 latrines in schools
- Providing nutritious food everyday to more than 490,000 children in schools
- Keeping more than 1.5 million children free from intestinal worms through its de-worming activities
- Distributing over 2 million books written in local languages
- Establishing over 6,600 Parent-Teacher Associations
- Training over 23,000 teachers
