TBHF donates $700,000 to school in Pakistan

OXFORD, 15th January, 2018 (WAM) -- The Big Heart Foundation, TBHF, is donating a US$700,000 to fund the second phase of the establishment of a school for girls in Pakistan, as part of its dedication to ensuring that girls have access to education, and enabling them to contribute to the development of their local communities. The school project will be funded by the TBHF ‘Girl Child Fund’, in cooperation with the ‘Malala Fund’, launched by Nobel Laureate and female education activist, Malala Yousafzai. The move was announced in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, The Big Heart Foundation’s Humanitarian Envoy, and Malala Yousafzai, in Oxford, London, following an agreement signed by Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of TBHF, and Farah Muhammad, CEO of Malala Fund. The ceremony was also attended by Hassan Yaaqoub, Secretary-General of Sharjah Media Council, and Malala’s parents: Ziauddin Yousafzai and Toor Pekai Yousafzai. The school is being constructed in Swat Valley, Yousafzai’s home district in Pakistan. The donation will fund the school’s second phase of development will open its doors to 350 girls in its 11 classrooms. Gradually, the educational services and school infrastructure will expand to accommodate 1,000 students in all grades. Highlighting the symbolic role education has in contributing to building a better world, Al Qasimi said, "Under the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the directives of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate of Sharjah believes in the importance of education, especially to young girls, in building a nation that is founded on virtues of tolerance, justice and peace socially and politically. TBHF’s Humanitarian Envoy noted that many young girls worldwide face difficulties to have access to school, acquiring or even continuing their education, due to political unrest or various social and financial conditions that deprive them the right to education. He called for concerted efforts by international institutions to support girls and ensure their access to safe education, which would secure them a brighter future and help achieve developmental goals. Commenting on the agreement, Malala Yousafzai, said, "I overwhelmingly thank The Big Heart Foundation for believing in my dream of a world where girls can choose their own future path. With their support, the Malala Fund can provide education for girls in my hometown Swat Valley in Pakistan." TBHF’s donation, covering half the project’s financial needs, will be used to build classrooms, science and computer labs, staff rooms, principal’s room, a reception area and playground facilities. The school will also include a library, laboratory, an activity hall, and a dormitory for female teachers from remote areas. The TBHF Girl Child Fund will also partially cover the first two years of the school’s operational costs, including staff salaries, medical and security expenses, transportation, uniforms, books, stationary and other utilities.