London (Staff Report): The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), a Sharjah-based global humanitarian charity dedicated to helping refugees and people in need worldwide, announced to help establish a school for Pakistani girls.

The school project will be funded jointly by ‘Malala Fund,’ and ‘Girl Child Fund’ of TBHF.

The announcement was made in the presence of Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, The Big Heart Foundation’s Humanitarian Envoy, and Malala Yousafzai, in Oxford, London. An agreement in this regard was also signed by Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of TBHF, and Farah Muhammad, CEO of Malala Fund. The ceremony was also attended by Hassan Yaaqoub, Secretary General of Sharjah Media Council, and Malala’s parents: Ziauddin Yousafzai and Toor Pekai Yousafzai.

The school will be constructed in Swat, a beautiful valley of Pakistan. The TBHF donation of $700,000 will fund the school’s second phase of development, which will be completed in April 2018. It will open its doors to 350 girls in its 11 classrooms. Gradually, the educational services and school infrastructure will expand to accommodate 1,000 students in all grades.

At the occasion Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi stated: “Under the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah, and the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate of Sharjah believes in the importance of education, especially to young girls, in building a nation that is founded on virtues of tolerance, justice and peace socially and politically.”

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi continued: “It is important to recognise that supporting our young and future generations with education is a fundamental responsibility for the world, and cooperating with one another to achieve this initiative is key to make sure that every young boy and girl has access to knowledge, and has access to opportunities for building a hopeful future. This future doesn’t only ensure the sustainability and continuity of wisdom, but will reflect its values on humanity as a whole and on the positive impact amongst communities and nations across the world.”

After signing the agreement, Malala Yousafzai thanked TBHF for fulfilling her dream wherein girls have liberty to choose their own future path. Malala Fund can help girls in getting quality education with the help of TBHF.

Donation of TBHF will be used to construct principal’s room, staff rooms, computer and science laboratories, reception area and playgrounds with allied equipments. The school will also include a library, laboratory, an activity hall, and a dormitory for female teachers of remote areas.