Al Maktoum Foundation in Burundi...Continuous Giving

The United Arab Emirates has succeeded in deepening the concept of charitable work and transforming it into a societal feature and a well-established ethical ground, benefiting from the moral legacy of community members. At the same time, the relevant institutions have increased the molding of such work and directing it, by law, towards deserving categories.

 

The UAE attaches great importance to charity, as it is a human value based on giving and generosity in all forms. Today, the Al Maktoum Foundation has become one of the few charities that have transformed the meaning of philanthropy into a thoughtful and humanitarian participation that involves the entire world, without bragging or serving narrow interests.

 

From this point of view, the Foundation in Burundi conducted a meeting with the First Vice-President of the Republic through its delegation who participated in the meetings of the Board of Trustees of the International University of Africa. His Excellency appealed to the delegation for the necessity of the Foundation’ participation in Burundi for establishing a secondary school for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid within the Foundation’s educational project in the African continent. Also, he pointed out that the schools of the Foundation have been spread in all the neighboring countries of Burundi for decades, such as Rwanda, Congo, Tanzania, and others, and here came the immediate response from Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, may his soul rest in peace.

 

In March 2018, the Foundation’s delegation visited Burundi and held meetings with some officials, including the President, his two deputies, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Higher Education, which resulted in laying the foundation stone for Sheikh Hamdan School in Rumonge Province and opening the Foundation’s office to begin its work as a non-governmental organization.

 

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum School Project in Burundi The foundation stone was laid in March 2018, and construction began in 2019. The construction was completed, and the study began in the year 2021-2022. It is now in its second year and consists of 12 classrooms, a laboratory, library, computer room, meeting room, administration offices, teachers’ offices, and warehouses. There are annexes such as a mosque, imam’s house, health center, and football and basketball fields. There are 250 students in the school.

 

The Foundation was able, in a short period, to implement several charitable programs and projects, with remarkable impact in Burundi, we list some of them:

 

- Iftars and Eid sacrifices, where the Foundation helped 10,000 families.

 

- Distribution of relief to those affected by the floods in 2022.

 

- Distribution of computers and sewing machines to women’s associations.

 

- Holding courses to train mothers to sewing in cooperation with the Presidency of the Burundian Parliament.

 

- Coronavirus control program, where the Foundation contributed to the implementation of the control program by providing medical equipment, sterilizers, detergents, masks, shoes, and medical uniforms to doctors and nurses. This program was implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Islamic Development Bank, under the auspices of the First Lady of the country.

 

- The second program was about providing computers to public schools to help implement distance education programs. 200 computers and laptops were also provided to public schools and some administrative offices in the Ministry of Education.

 

- Providing seats to some schools affected by the return of refugees from neighboring countries.