Skechers has donated school kits worth Dh1.5 million to underprivileged children, as part of its annual ‘Back to School’ CSR campaign. The contribution will help over 8,000 vulnerable children in the MENA region receive better access to education.
The global footwear brand has partnered with The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), a global charity dedicated to helping refugees and people in need worldwide, chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and eminent advocate for refugee children at UNHCR, for this project.
Founder and Chairwoman of Apparel Group, Sima Ganwani Ved said, “Apparel Group is proud of our partnership with The Big Heart Foundation which we are confident will bring significant positive change in our society. During these uncertain times, it is our moral responsibility to help provide opportunities to children for growth and prosperity. Ensuring that they have access to quality education and are fully equipped, is our way of creating a better future for them.”
Skechers has consistently invested in the education of young children; 2021 marks the 5th year of Skechers ‘Back to School’ campaign. This year, Skechers donated 8,075 backpacks, 4,860 lunch bags, 10,248 pencil cases, 3,906 tiffin boxes and 5,389 water bottles.
Describing the collaboration, Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), said: “Education is the cornerstone of both human and community development. The project, an outcome of our collaboration with Apparel Group, marks a crucial step forward in the provision of school supplies for children from vulnerable families that have been disproportionately affected by the global health crisis.”
She added: “Our work is inspired by the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of TBHF and Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children at UNHCR, to not only lead humanitarian interventions in a way that have sustainable impact, but also encourage meaningful investments in human capital to equip individuals with knowledge and skills and to excel in life and contribute to development. Moreover, addressing growing humanitarian needs effectively and in an adequate fashion is impossible without the support of our partners in the public, private and non-profit sectors. We, therefore, welcome this partnership with the Apparel Group and their invaluable contribution to help ease the challenges faces by less fortunate families. We believe there is an urgent need for such initiatives as education is a fundamental right and has the capability to transform lives of both individuals and communities.”
