Latest news with #FaisalAlHmoudi
Khaleej Times
12-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE authority revamps schools to prevent closure, funds tuition fees for low-income students
The Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an revealed how the community came together to help renovate Pakistani and Bangladeshi community schools, preventing their closure. The authority also funded tuition fees for low-income students at Abu Dhabi University (ADU), as part of 51 social service projects worth Dh98.6 million raised throughout 2024. Among the beneficiaries were the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia and the Pakistan Community Welfare School, which received urgently needed renovations to their aging and deteriorating premises. The work was funded through a Dh6.5 million allocation raised by Ma'an to revamp community schools that no longer meet ADEK's approved building standards. Had the schools been required to fund the renovations themselves, they would have had to raise tuition fees — making education unaffordable for many of their students, most of whom come from low-income families. As a result, ADEK approached Ma'an to facilitate community contributions towards these schools. Renovation work was carried out after school hours, allowing classes to continue uninterrupted. The initiative will eventually include other community schools facing similar challenges. Ma'an also raised Dh1 million in contributions to support the construction of a commercial and residential building, with its profits directed towards funding education for financially restrained students at Abu Dhabi University. 'This initiative aims to sustain university education and learning opportunities for low-income students,' said Faisal Al Hmoudi, Executive Director of the Social Investment Fund at Ma'an. A similar project supports students of the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation struggling with accumulated unpaid tuition fees through a Dh7.5 million fund. Another education initiative allocated Dh4.7 million towards renovating Al Ehsan Kindergarten to better meet the needs of children of determination. The center caters to children aged two to eight with moderate to severe autism. In addition, twelve people of determination will benefit from job opportunities at a Dh917,500 cheese factory being developed in cooperation with Zayed Higher Organization (ZHO). 'The project focuses on providing an inclusive work environment that enhances their quality of life and promotes financial and social independence,' explained Faisal Al Hmoudi. Projects aimed at supporting senior citizens include a Dh3.5 million allocation towards Barakat Al Dar social clubs for Emiratis aged 50 and above. 'The clubs offer a variety of activities and services, including digital literacy, sports and fitness programmes, cultural events, and Islamic and Quran classes,' he said. The clubs will also organise recreational field trips for members. Furthermore, Dh1.8 million has been allocated to make safety modifications in 200 homes of elderly Emiratis to prevent falls. 'Studies show that when an elderly person falls, it can easily lead to broken bones, slow recovery, and several negative consequences,' Al Hmoudi explained. The modifications include installing handrails in showers and toilets, adding ramps or user-friendly stairs, emergency buttons, and anti-slip mats. 'Ma'an serves as a bridge between donors—individuals and private sector companies—and social causes in Abu Dhabi,' said Abdullah Al Ameri, Director General of Ma'an, during the announcement of their 2024 community contributions report. 'As we've seen in the report, the culture of giving from community to community is the message we want to convey to everyone,' he concluded. 'That's why we prioritise full transparency in how we direct these funds towards social services in Abu Dhabi. It underscores our role as a connector.' Ma'an will be showcasing its finished projects through a doc-drama series starting on Abu Dhabi TV on the 15th of Ramadan. 'People of Giving' will be aired after iftar and will feature successful contributions told by the benefactors and beneficiaries themselves.
Al Etihad
12-03-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Ma'an releases its community contribution report
12 Mar 2025 15:53 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, the Abu Dhabi Government's official channel to receive social contributions, has announced the release of its community contribution report for 2024, transparently demonstrating the impact of diverse social projects supported by the Authority to drive Abu Dhabi's social the past year, the Authority drove funding to key social partners who led the launch of 51 impactful projects across the social, health, education, environment and infrastructure sectors, aimed at addressing pressing social priorities in the city of Abu Dhabi. These projects are led by various partners including the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), Mubadala Foundation, Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Al Noor Centre, among Al Ameri, Director-General of the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an commented, 'Established to drive community engagement and build a culture of giving, The Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an plays an integral role in enhancing the quality of life for community members in Abu Dhabi. In the 'Year of Community', the Authority's evolving growth is evident in its year-on-year increase in community contributions, a further testament of its dedication to building a collaborative community that supports one another.'Faisal Al Hmoudi, Social Investment Fund Executive Director at the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an, said, 'As the government of Abu Dhabi's official channel to receive social contributions, we are dedicated to channelling contributions towards social projects led by our partners across various sectors to promote community development and build a cooperative, active and inclusive society. We remain committed to building partnerships across key sectors, amplifying the reach and impact of social projects to drive positive change and maximise long-term benefits for our community. By fostering the values of shared responsibility and community giving among community members, we build a thriving community in Abu Dhabi.'A total of AED98.6 million of community contributions was allocated across several sectors, benefiting various community groups including People of Determination, senior citizens, orphans, students, patients, amongst others. A substantial portion was allocated towards the health sector, with a total of AED36.8 million to support 9 projects for social healthcare social sector received AED33.6 million through 26 projects to address social priorities, including empowering community groups in Abu Dhabi, to be active members of the community.A significant portion, AED20 million was allocated towards the education sector, divided across 8 projects. These projects were launched to provide quality education and enhance educational opportunities, emphasising the Authority's dedication towards enhancing the education AED8.2 million was dedicated to the environment and infrastructure sector, funding 8 projects aimed at promoting sustainable development, preserving the environment, and enhancing addition, through ATM, ADPAY, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Botim platform and contribution kiosks, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an has successfully raised AED2.7 million in funds, distributed across 4 different project and benefiting multiple community Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an connects the government, private entities, social enterprises, and non-profits to raise and deploys funds towards partner-led initiatives to support social projects and programmes that address key societal priorities and directly impact the community. Moreover, the Authority supports the private sector in achieving their Corporate Social Responsibility goals by connecting them with key societal Authority is committed to building a culture of giving by actively engaging community members in funding social projects that will in return be deployed back to the community to drive social development. Contributions can be made via or through the dedicated mobile app, which is available on both Apple and Android devices, in addition to bank transfers or via ATMs. Year of Community Continue full coverage
