Dubai: Dubai’s Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) has continued to spread its reach to a greater number of people with its initiatives and beneficiaries doubling last year.
AMAF recorded a growth of 19 per cent last year, with its revenue reaching Dh172 million, up from Dh144 million in 2014.
In 2015, AMAF’s five endowment accounts — Social Affairs, Health, Education, Islamic Affairs, Piety and Righteousness — received total funds of about Dh72 million.
Currently, 26 projects and initiatives benefit from these accounts, having doubled in number since 2014.
Tayeb Abdul Rahman Al Rais, secretary-general of AMAF, said: ”The directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, have created an environment conducive to the development of endowment and care of minors. This has enabled the Foundation to generate higher revenues in the past year. Orphans and minors under our care will greatly benefit from this achievement that also empowers us further to ensure their well-being in a truly sustainable way.”
Al Rais pointed out that 2015 marked an important period in AMAF’s history. Apart from increased revenue, the Foundation expanded the scope of its projects’ beneficiaries, and launched a number of new time-saving services, including smart donations, in line with the smart government initiative.
Last year, AMAF spent Dh27 million in aid to children, providing housing, education, medical treatment, financial and material assistance.
In order to help identify the right way forward, the Foundation has formed a team to research best practices in the field of social work to serve as an inspiration for future initiatives.
Last year, Shaikh Mohammad launched the Family Village, which has continued to play an important role in creating a stable home environment for orphans.
Each group of children has a full-time mother, who gives them all the love and care they need. This unique concept currently provides shelter, nutrition, education, as well as physical and mental health care to orphans.
Consisting of 16 villas, an administrative building, a kindergarten and a medical centre, the village is equipped with all necessary facilities, such as kitchen, laundry and playgrounds to help orphans grow up in a similar environment as their counterparts who have parents.
Shaikh Mohammad also launched ‘Salma’, a global humanitarian project aiming to provide a million halal meals a year to disaster victims around the world.
The initiative won the Islamic Economy Award in the Food and Health category in addition to three other accolades at the fifth Asia Best CSR Practices Awards. The project is being implemented by Noor Awqaf, a joint venture between Noor Investment Group and AMAF.
