Rents make way to charity

Charity begins at home has been given a new meaning by the Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Habtoor Foundation. Charitable Endowments, a three-year-old residential building, has been donating its yearly net income to various charities in the UAE. An integral part of Al Habtoor foundation, this building is located behind BurJuman Centre in Bur Dubai.

The main aim of the donation is to assist underprivileged local Arab families in achieving a higher standard of living. This is provided through monetary benefits and donating food and clothes. Approximately 80 per cent of the total income is given to charities such as the Welfare Association in Fujairah and Dubai Charity. The Foundation itself donated Dhs 60 million last year to numerous charities.

The building comprises three blocks, where each wing offers apartments in various sizes and rents. The building also has a mosque, where anyone can go for prayers. The mosque can accommodate up to 500 people.

Mohammed Jasim, general manager of the building, said: "The Al Habtoor charitable trust has been donating money for charity for about 20 years. We wanted to invest in something long term that would churn out a yearly income to donate. That's how the idea of the building came about."

A general council meets every three months to decide how the money will be distributed. The council members work closely with different organisations, such as the Welcare Hospital.