Dubai Cares celebrated its five-year journey of helping educate millions of children around the world at a special ceremony hosted in Madinat Jumeirah on Tuesday.

Volunteers, philanthropists and individuals from private and public sector organisations were honoured at the function attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

On the occasion, Shaikh Mohammed thanked the honored supporters for the contributions directed at children who are deprived of education, a basic human right for a child’s development, stressing that those contributions also highlight the humanitarian values deeply rooted in UAE traditions and culture.

“What’s the use of money if it cannot make people happy, especially the children, regardless of their nationality, creed or religion,” Shaikh Mohammed said.

Dubai Cares was launched in 2007 by Shaikh Mohammed with a vision to make primary education more accessible for children living in developing countries. Such was the impact of the initiative over the last five years that it touched the lives of more than seven million children in 28 countries across the world.

Speaking at the ceremony, Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Minister of State and Chairperson of Dubai Cares, said, “Dubai Cares has had a direct impact on the lives of millions of children and families and we have set our self as a model of philanthropy.”

She added, “The UAE community has played and, we hope, will continue to play an integral role in Dubai Cares’ mission — it is thanks to their support that Dubai Cares is able to do what it has done and it is their dedication to the cause that has inspired Dubai Cares to achieve higher goals.”

Four key components of the work under the initiative include the development of school infrastructure, school health and nutrition programmes, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools and improvement of educational quality.

Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares, said, “With the support of the UAE community and the guidance of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid, we will continue to work with our international partners in coming up with innovative and practical solution to pressing global development challenges.” Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed and Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed honoured more than 40 aid agencies, foundations, government and non-government organizations for their support to Dubai Cares and its campaigns.

Among the honoured were Dubai Police, Emirates Airlines, Dubai Airports and Duty Free, Dubai Media Incorporated, Emaar, Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company) and other institutions.

The individuals honoured for their distinguished participation and support included but not limited to Lt-General Musabbah Rashid Al Fattan, Sunny Varkey and Yousaffali M.A.

Commending the vision of Shaikh Mohammed, Yusuffali, Managing Director of Emke Group, said, “It is our moral responsibility to support a good cause like Dubai Cares. It is a reflection of the vision of Shaikh Mohammed and the success of his leadership is reflected in the success of yet another initiative like Dubai Cares.”