Dubai Cares, the UAE-based philanthropic organization working to improve children’s access to quality primary education in developing countries, has lauded schools and communities that focus on health and sanitation for ensuring a conducive learning atmosphere for students.
Dubai Cares works with local and international partners around the globe to provide schools in communities at high risk of vector and water-born diseases with adequate resources, facilities and skills to help children stay in school.
Underscoring the importance of including health as a key educational and infrastructural component in humanitarian programs, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares said: “We are committed to creating an ideal learning environment for primary-age children in developing countries and we believe that holistic education should be intellectually stimulating whilst providing children with the knowledge and skills to safeguard their health. In order to educate children, we work towards improving water, sanitation and hygiene in schools, providing school feeding and implementing deworming activities. Through these measures, we aim to eliminate the significant barriers that prevent children from attending school and learning.”
At present, more than half of the world’s population is at risk from vector-born diseases, most of which can be prevented by simple measures. Dubai Cares has identified poor health and sanitation practices as significant contributors to the high rates of absenteeism in schools. The organization seeks to remedy the situation through a two-pronged approach – provide basic low-cost water and sanitation infrastructure to ensure a healthy and adequate learning environment, and educating children about the necessity and benefits of hygienic practices.
Dubai Cares was established in 2007 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to give children in developing countries - regardless of their gender, nationality, creed or religion – access to quality primary education. To date, Dubai Cares is reaching more than 8 million children in 31 developing countries.