Sheikh Hamdan launches ‘Rashid Villages’ to honour late brother’s humanitarian legacy

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, on Friday launched ‘Rashid Villages’, a global humanitarian initiative aimed at preserving and extending the legacy of his late brother, Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Coinciding with the tenth anniversary of Sheikh Rashid’s passing, the initiative seeks to carry forward his enduring humanitarian values by establishing model villages that provide underprivileged families with access to housing, education, healthcare, and social services, ensuring the foundations of a dignified life.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stressed that the late Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed was a true champion of humanity, as much as he was in the sporting arena, leaving behind a legacy of generosity and noble values.

Spirit of leadership and responsibility

Sheikh Hamdan added the late Sheikh Rashid was shaped from an early age by the noble values inspired by their father His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. These values were the essence of his life, giving him a spirit of leadership and responsibility, and driving his constant devotion to acts of generosity.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasised that Sheikh Rashid was a role model in every field, passing on a legacy of compassion and commitment, and values that continue to live on through initiatives that bring goodness to people.

“My brother’s impact will remain alive through Dubai’s humanitarian projects and initiatives that carry hope and goodness to the world,” Dubai Crown Prince said. “Today, we launch ‘Rashid Villages’, an ambitious humanitarian initiative that bears the name of my late brother, a lasting tribute to his profound humanitarian legacy and a testament to the values that defined his life, ensuring that his impact endures both in Dubai and beyond.”

He continued: “May Allah Almighty have mercy on Rashid. He was a man whose heart was devoted to quiet acts of goodness, always extending kindness to those around him. Today, his generosity continues to touch lives, instilling hope and restoring confidence in the future. Through ‘Rashid Villages’, our goal is to transform lives in a lasting way to bring back hope, provide a foundation for dignity, and reaffirm that in Dubai, generosity is not merely a value but a way of life, one that continues to open doors to growth, stability, and opportunity.”

Integrated model villages

The global humanitarian initiative aims to build integrated model villages providing underprivileged families with the essentials of a decent life from housing to education, healthcare, social services and economic opportunities, as part of a comprehensive development framework that redefines humanitarian support and creates an environment where people can move from need to empowerment, productivity, and stability.

The first phase of the project will commence in the Republic of Kenya, where the first Rashid Village will be constructed over an area  of 72 dunums (7.2 hectares), following sustainable principles that prioritise the use of renewable energy sources.

This phase will include fully furnished homes that provide stability and dignity for families, in addition to a large mosque and a multi-purpose hall with a capacity of over 500 people to host events and community activities.

The village will also feature endowment-based commercial outlets to stimulate economic activity and provide sustainable income sources, alongside paved streets that link village facilities, facilitate residents’ movement and support economic and social activities.

A model village each year

As part of empowering youth, the project features a football pitch and a sports academy to harness young people’s energy and support their talents. The village will also include comprehensive infrastructure such as fire alarm systems, surveillance cameras to ensure security and safety, and a modern lighting network powered by solar panels.

The village is expected to benefit around 1,700 people, making it a genuine launchpad for transformative change in the lives of hundreds of families.

The initiative will continue to expand its humanitarian impact by building a model village every year, thereby commemorating the humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Rashid and enshrining the charitable values he championed.

Empowering families: educational and economic opportunities

‘Rashid Villages’ also prioritise education as a foundation for change. In collaboration with the Digital School, part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the project will introduce the ‘Rashid Education Project’, a specialised programme designed to provide children with quality schooling through an integrated digital system that both enhances learning and bridges educational gaps.

Complementing this digital approach, the village will include a modern school accommodating more than 320 students, ensuring that future generations not only secure their right to education but also gain the knowledge and opportunities needed to build brighter futures.

The initiative will also offer development programmes aimed at empowering families through vocational training and micro-enterprise projects that provide additional income, strengthen economic and social stability and reduce dependence on aid. This will be achieved by equipping beneficiaries with the professional skills necessary to launch sustainable craft and commercial ventures, together with financial and technical support to help them start with confidence.

Preventive health services

On the health front, and as part of efforts to improve quality of life within the targeted communities, the village will include a health centre offering medical and therapeutic care to residents, supported by full infrastructure including sanitation systems, overhead and underground water tanks and wells to secure continuous supplies of fresh water.

 The initiative will also cooperate with reputable international humanitarian organisations to deliver preventive medical services, aiming to improve the health of children and their families and to address gaps in healthcare provision in developing areas.

‘Rashid Villages’ will furthermore seek to build local capacity by training community members in first aid and preventive care, thereby contributing to a safe, healthy and sustainable environment that underpins its humanitarian and development mission.