Dubai: Dubai Cares CEO Tariq Al Gurg has honoured GEMS Education Founder and Chairman Sunny Varkey for fulfilling his commitment of Dh100 million that he had pledged to Dubai Cares in 2007 over a period of 10 years.
The pledge was in support of the global philanthropic organisation’s efforts toward securing children’s right to education. Varkey was among the first private sector donors to donate to Dubai Cares.
During a meeting between the two sides, they discussed the impact of their long-lasting partnership on the lives of children, their families and their communities, and shared their outlook for the philanthropic sector and the challenges that lie ahead.
Al Gurg shed light on Dubai Cares’ recent endeavours aimed at ensuring universal quality education as well as the organisation’s efforts to advocate for quality education to become a primary focus on the agendas of local and national governments worldwide.
Al Gurg said: “Our partnership with Mr Varkey has had many layers, much beyond the Dh100 million commitment made in 2007, which has allowed us to reach out to millions of children around the world. His long-standing loyalty towards the UAE and his belief in His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision behind the establishment of Dubai Cares, inspired him to become a key supporter of the organisation.”
He added: “Through his foundation, he has been a partner in designing and implementing sustainable and successful programmes that are playing a key role in training and developing teachers. Whereas through the GEMS Education network of schools, he has been a true advocacy and fund-raising partner enabling Dubai Cares to raise awareness around its mission and cause as well as raise funds in support of its programmes … On behalf of all of us at Dubai Cares, I would like to extend a big thank you to Sunny Varkey for going much beyond fulfilling his promises and for sparing no effort in supporting Dubai Cares’ programmes and efforts around the world.”
Varkey said: “We have a long and close partnership with Dubai Cares and fully support the work carried out by the organisation, which was launched by [Shaikh Mohammad] in 2007. We are honoured to be involved in their projects. Dubai Cares’ vision of supporting children in developing countries is closely aligned with our vision to provide quality education to all. For many children around the world, they are denied this basic human right and I am proud that many schools across the GEMS Education network actively take part in charity events throughout the year that support Dubai Cares’ educational initiatives.”
