Latest news with #SchoolfortheBlind


Filipino Times
17-02-2025
- Health
- Filipino Times
UAE launches AED 220M initiative for visually impaired students in Ethiopia
The UAE government launched an initiative worth AED 220 million to develop schools for visually impaired students across Ethiopia. This is under the directives of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan from the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation. Currently, Ethiopia is home to an estimated 1.2 million visually impaired individuals. It has over 332,000 people classified as blind. Moreover, many of them live in rural areas where access to education and healthcare services is extremely limited. Ethiopia also faces the highest rates of trachoma, an eye disease that impacts underserved communities across the country. The newly launched program will introduce cutting-edge assistive technologies in schools, specialized curricula, and tailored vocational training programs. This initiative aims to empower Ethiopia's visually impaired population and provide them with the tools and opportunities for a brighter future. The initiative will be led by the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation in collaboration with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. This foundation is an entity of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, which has proven its success with the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for the Blind in 2024.


TECHx
15-02-2025
- Business
- TECHx
UAE Commits US$60M to Support Visually Impaired Students in Ethiopia News Desk - 15/02/2025 ShareUnder the directives of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has announced a new US$60 million (AED220 million) initiative aimed at developing schools to support the educational needs of visually impaired students in Ethiopia. This project will be spearheaded by the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, a key entity of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, in collaboration with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.The initiative builds upon the success of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for the Blind in Addis Ababa, inaugurated in May 2024. The agreement was signed by Mohamed Haji AlKhoori, Director-General of the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, in the presence of Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State and member of the Board of Trustees of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, and Zinash Tayachew, First Lady of Ethiopia.With approximately 1.2 million visually impaired individuals in Ethiopia, including 332,000 classified as blind, this initiative will provide crucial support, especially in rural areas with limited access to educational and healthcare services. Ethiopia also faces high rates of trachoma, a preventable eye disease, which disproportionately affects underserved communities.The new schools, supported by the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, will serve as centres of excellence by integrating cutting-edge assistive technologies, specialised curricula, and vocational programmes designed to help visually impaired students achieve higher education and integrate into the workforce.H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, emphasized the UAE's dedication to supporting people of determination worldwide. He stated, 'This initiative reflects our shared commitment with Ethiopia to ensure everyone, regardless of challenges, can thrive in an inclusive and equitable society.'Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan added, 'This partnership underscores our commitment to uplifting communities and expanding access to essential services, creating opportunities for sustainable growth and prosperity.'First Lady Zinash Tayachew expressed gratitude for the UAE's continued support in helping ensure quality education for all Ethiopian citizens, regardless of ability, and promoting a more inclusive society.Mohamed Haji AlKhoori reaffirmed the importance of education as a fundamental right, highlighting the transformative potential of global partnerships to create lasting impact and empower future generations.Along with the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for the Blind, the newly announced schools will form a comprehensive network across Ethiopia, expanding access to inclusive education and ensuring that visually impaired students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed and contribute to society.The UAE's commitment to strengthening Ethiopia's educational infrastructure is set to make a significant difference in the lives of visually impaired students, providing them with the tools and opportunities to reach their full potential.
UAE Commits US$60M to Support Visually Impaired Students in Ethiopia Under the directives of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has announced a new US$60 million (AED220 million) initiative aimed at developing schools to support the educational needs of visually impaired students in Ethiopia. This project will be spearheaded by the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, a key entity of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, in collaboration with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The initiative builds upon the success of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for the Blind in Addis Ababa, inaugurated in May 2024. The agreement was signed by Mohamed Haji AlKhoori, Director-General of the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, in the presence of Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State and member of the Board of Trustees of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, and Zinash Tayachew, First Lady of Ethiopia. With approximately 1.2 million visually impaired individuals in Ethiopia, including 332,000 classified as blind, this initiative will provide crucial support, especially in rural areas with limited access to educational and healthcare services. Ethiopia also faces high rates of trachoma, a preventable eye disease, which disproportionately affects underserved communities. The new schools, supported by the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, will serve as centres of excellence by integrating cutting-edge assistive technologies, specialised curricula, and vocational programmes designed to help visually impaired students achieve higher education and integrate into the workforce. H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, emphasized the UAE's dedication to supporting people of determination worldwide. He stated, 'This initiative reflects our shared commitment with Ethiopia to ensure everyone, regardless of challenges, can thrive in an inclusive and equitable society.' Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan added, 'This partnership underscores our commitment to uplifting communities and expanding access to essential services, creating opportunities for sustainable growth and prosperity.' First Lady Zinash Tayachew expressed gratitude for the UAE's continued support in helping ensure quality education for all Ethiopian citizens, regardless of ability, and promoting a more inclusive society. Mohamed Haji AlKhoori reaffirmed the importance of education as a fundamental right, highlighting the transformative potential of global partnerships to create lasting impact and empower future generations. Along with the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for the Blind, the newly announced schools will form a comprehensive network across Ethiopia, expanding access to inclusive education and ensuring that visually impaired students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed and contribute to society. The UAE's commitment to strengthening Ethiopia's educational infrastructure is set to make a significant difference in the lives of visually impaired students, providing them with the tools and opportunities to reach their full potential.


Dubai Eye
15-02-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
UAE signs $60m deal for visually impaired students in Ethiopia
The UAE announced a new $60 million (AED 220 million) initiative from the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for the development of schools to support the needs of visually impaired students across Ethiopia. This initiative will be led by the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, a portfolio entity of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, in collaboration with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. It builds on the success of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for the Blind in Addis Ababa, which was inaugurated in May 2024. With an estimated 1.2 million visually impaired individuals in Ethiopia, including 332,000 classified as blind, this initiative directly addresses a pressing humanitarian need by reaching rural areas where educational and healthcare services remain limited. Ethiopia also has one of the highest global rates of trachoma, a preventable eye disease that disproportionately affects underserved communities. With the support of the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, the new schools will serve as centres of excellence, integrating cutting-edge assistive technologies, specialised curricula, and tailored vocational programmes to empower visually impaired students with the skills necessary for higher education and workforce integration. Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said, 'The UAE remains dedicated to supporting people of determination worldwide. A key element is ensuring that visually impaired students in Ethiopia can access inspiring and inclusive learning environments that meet their specialised needs, thereby enabling them to reach their full potential. This initiative represents the shared commitment by the UAE and Ethiopia to ensure that everyone, regardless of the challenges they may face, can thrive in an inclusive and equitable global society.' Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan said, "The UAE has long recognised that sustainable development and strategic collaboration are the key drivers of lasting change. This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to uplifting communities, creating economic opportunities, and expanding access to essential services. Our partnership furthers the vision of African states to invest in education as a catalyst for future prosperity, empowering youth to realise their full potential and drive sustainable growth." First Lady Zinash Tayachew added, 'We are grateful to the UAE for their continued partnership, which supports our goal of ensuring that every citizen, regardless of their abilities, has access to quality education. Together, our shared commitment will help to create a more inclusive society where every student has the opportunity to succeed." Mohamed Haji AlKhoori said, 'Education is a fundamental right, and every child deserves the opportunity to learn in an environment that supports their unique needs. By strengthening educational systems, we are laying the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable future. This initiative reaffirms the power of global partnerships in driving lasting impact, ensuring that education remains a catalyst for opportunity and empowerment for generations to come.' Together with the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for the Blind, the new schools announced today will create a network across Ethiopia to expand access to inclusive education. The UAE's commitment to strengthening Ethiopia's educational infrastructure ensures that every visually impaired child, regardless of socioeconomic background, can thrive in a supportive learning environment that empowers them to contribute to society.