DUBAI (June 10, 2008) - Dubai Cares today announced it has joined hands with CARE International, a global consortium of 12 member organizations dedicated to the worldwide reduction of poverty, to drive forward its objective of educating one million children in developing countries.
In alliance with CARE International, Dubai Cares will develop and implement primary education programs in Yemen, which remains one of the most underdeveloped countries in the Middle East. With its current portfolio of education initiatives, Dubai Cares has become the world's largest charitable establishment, solely devoted to improving primary education for underprivileged children.
Dubai Cares has donated $19 million for the joint initiative to advance primary education programs, to be rolled out over four years in Yemen. The project will increase the quality and relevance of education to 36,000 primary age children in the rural governorate of Hajja, with special emphasis placed on providing education to girls, who often remain uneducated. The program will also ensure the construction of nearly 100 primary schools in the underserved areas, with six classrooms each.
Launched on September 19, 2007, Dubai Cares' campaign is Dubai's contribution to the UN Millennium Development Goals of providing primary education to every child by 2015. The initiative validates the emirate's commitment to play an effective role in securing a better tomorrow for future generations.
Dubai Cares' education programs will include action-learning and life-skills training with partners based in targeted countries. Under the Yemen program, more than 200 women will be trained as primary teaching assistants, while, in addition, 200 primary teachers will be familiarized with child-centered techniques for supporting slow learners and late starters.
The Yemen program also includes a water component, which pipes water to the schools that do not have convenient water sources.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, chairperson of the Dubai Cares board of directors, said, "CARE International was selected for its 15-year track record in Yemen and we are confident our partnership for Yemen will yield anticipated results within the determined time-line for the benefit of the community at large."
Her Excellency added, "The impact of our intervention is long-term, and will be felt long after the initial phase of our program is complete. By building 100 schools in the first four years, Dubai Cares' effort in Yemen will translate into tangible results for an additional 4,000 children per year, over and above the 36,000 children provided with places within the four-year life of the project itself. The results will be measured in terms of the children's access to primary education in the country."
Dubai Cares selects its partners based on their profile of providing for the underprivileged children around the world, and their access to adequate resources and infrastructure that can make an immediate impact.
Robert Glasser, CARE International secretary general said, "CARE International is honoured and delighted to be selected by Dubai Cares to be a global partner in this exciting and vital initiative which will enable many thousands of poor and marginalised children to attend primary school."
Dubai Cares has prioritized phase one grants to countries that have the highest level of need and can deliver maximum benefits to its children. Last month, Dubai Cares announced 12 beneficiary countries under phase one, including Bangladesh, Bosnia, Chad, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Maldives, Mauritania, Niger, Pakistan, Occupied Palestinian territories, Sudan, and Yemen; and Palestinian refugees (in Lebanon and Jordan).
"The latest UN Development Report for Yemen (2005-2006) confirms that less than 17 percent of all adult Yemenis have completed their primary education. Access to education is also inequitable, with girls making up only one-third of primary school enrolments and only one in four girls going on to attend secondary school," said Her Excellency Al Hashimy.
She added, "Without a doubt, Yemen's education system ranks as among the most challenged in the world. Recognizing this gap, Dubai Cares hopes to impact the lives of the country's children positively and constructively."
Gareth Richards, country director of CARE International in Yemen, added, "With this significant investment by Dubai Cares, we will work closely with the Ministry of Education and its international NBEDS partners in Yemen to bring a major contribution towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal for primary education. All Yemeni children have a right to access primary education; this program will also help them achieve their dreams."
CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Last year, CARE programs improved the lives of more than 45 million people in nearly 70 countries. Recognizing that women suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on working with women to create permanent social change. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives. For more information please visit www.care-international.org.
