The UAE non-profit, The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), is reinforcing efforts to extend both emergency response and developmental support to under-resourced communities with ‘Enlighten their Future’, a Zakat Appeal campaign designed to coalesce community’s support through charitable donations throughout the holy month of Ramadan. 

The global humanitarian organisation, which has been serving millions of refugees, internally displaced people, and others in need for over a decade, will mobilise the funds raised to support sustainable long term development and humanitarian development projects in the vital sectors of education, and specialised healthcare in underprivileged communities across various countries, in addition to providing ongoing humanitarian response to the victims of the earthquake and natural disasters in Syria and Turkey, supporting scientific and health centres, and helping institutions restore their ability to provide services to people in both countries.

Inspired by the illuminating spirit of the Holy Month, TBHF fundraiser’s slogan ‘Enlighten their Future’ represents two parallel pillars of development that the entity focuses on – offering immediate and lifesaving aid to victims of crisis as well as initiating projects that will empower those affected by climate change, natural disasters, war, conflict and disease, and support them to build their futures in order to bring about sustainable development in under-resourced communities. 

TBHF calls on members of the UAE’s community, charitable individuals worldwide, private sector businesses, government entities, civil society organisations and charities to respond to TBHF’s Zakat Appeal with their generous contributions, which can be made through bank transfers to Sharjah Islamic Bank account number 0011-430430-020, as well as cheque and cash payments, or donations via SMS to xxxx, and via: https://tbhf.ae/zakat.

How your contributions will ‘Enlighten their Future’ 

TBHF Director, Mariam Al Hammadi, explained that the impact of the support from donor communities in the UAE and beyond will be massive, as the populations served by TBHF are now more than ever in dire need of emergency response, shelter, security, education, livelihoods, and other long-term developmental assistance.

“The lives of millions of families, women, children, and the elderly in many communities worldwide depend on humanitarian missions, which can only be possible and successful with the benevolence and support of humanitarian champions to whom we have presented this appeal. Contributions this Ramadan will improve educational opportunities, give families who have lost everything after the recent earthquake a chance to rebuild their lives, and take quality healthcare to remote locations,” Al Hammadi further noted.

“Human life in any circumstance is precious. It is God’s gift and therefore deserves to be nurtured and lived to the fullest. With our Zakat Appeal this year, we are fostering hope for a better tomorrow, not only for refugees and vulnerable people but for all of us,” TBHF Director concluded.

Those who support TBHF’s ‘Enlighten their Future’ campaign, will be contributing to improving healthcare in under-resourced communities with the provision of better tools, equipment and services, medical teams, and will enable the construction of specialised centres in remote locations. In the education sector, scholarships will be awarded to out-of-school children, new schools will be built, kindergartens will be supported, and so on. 

Friends Of Cancer Patients (FOCP), has announced its five-year strategy for 2023-27, as the UAE-based civil society organisation continues with its leading efforts since 1999 to raise cancer awareness and offer moral and financial support to patients, under the guidance and patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Founder and Royal Patron of FOCP.

The strategy was launched during FOCP’s first annual Board of Directors meeting in 2023, which was presided over by Her Excellency Sawsan Jafar, Chairperson of FOCP, and attended by Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Vice Chairperson of FOCP. The meeting reviewed FOCP’s achievements in 2022, and chalked out the organisational strategy and budget for the year which would enable the non-profit to continue developing the efficiency of its various programmes and initiatives that have reaped great results in awareness generation and brought immense benefits to beneficiaries over the years. 

Five-year roadmap envisions the strengthening of partnerships in the cancer care and advocacy network, globally 

The key earnings from FOCP’s 2022 strategy report have been filtered to sharpen the goals set within their five-year strategy from 2023-27. FOCP will be focusing on enhancing and expanding its specialised work in cancer advocacy and research as well as patient care, strengthen its local and global partnerships, and collaborate on initiatives customised to the targeted demographic needs by taking into account wider factors including psychological, social and economic. Furthermore, FOCP’s five-year strategy will be committed to ensuring not only the launch but the sustainability of these initiatives by extending financial support and reinforcing charitable donation campaigns like its annual Zakat campaign, which will be launched during Ramadan.

FOCP’s year in review: Leading advocacy, community work, and strong collaboration 

The meeting reviewed the key outcomes  of the 10 awareness events FOCP organised last year, including the Relay for Life cancer walkathon, which garnered support of thousands community-minded participants who came together to raise funds and awareness for cancer. 

The Pink Caravan Ride, attracted over 10,000 members of the UAE community, volunteers and participants, offering free breast health check-ups and screenings to 13,000 women and men across the seven emirates. The board members also assessed the impact of the 15 visits that  entity’s representatives made to various hospitals as part of FOCP’s ‘Colour My World’ and ‘Joy Cart’ initiatives, which are specific to offering financial and emotional support to young paediatric cancer patients and their families. 

One of the key meeting highlights was a strategy report presentation for the year 2022, which enlisted the strengths, weaknesses, challenges, opportunities, and overall performance indicators of the different departments in FOCP. 

The 5th Combined Gulf Cancer Conference, held last November at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre (JRCC), in Sharjah, hosted leading regional institutions advocating for cancer control. Around 33 seminars and targeted discussions were led by 50 experts in oncology and related specialities from over 20 countries. Additionally, FOCP organised the Arab Coalition Meeting to Combat Breast Cancer in July to renew cooperation and partnership mechanisms for joint activities with Arab countries. 

In addition, FOCP participated in 38 different international events, including the first conference on non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh, the Eighth Gulf Cancer Awareness Week on World Cancer Day, and the Global Summit on Good Governance. The civil society organisation also participated in awareness campaigns, workshops, virtual and in-person seminars, to highlight its services, and exchange expertise and best practices in cancer care. 

FOCP support to cancer patients in 2022
HE Sawsan Jaafar, Chairperson of FOCP, said: “We continue to build on our 23-year-history of achievements of strengthening thousands of people’s access to cancer awareness and treatment. In 2022 alone, we have provided financial support to more than 250 cancer patients, including 200 females, 34 males, and 16 children”.

She added: “We are confident in our ability to continue our noble mission, especially witnessing all the positive and tangible impact we’ve had in our fight against cancer through quality initiatives. Recently, FOCP hosted the 3rd edition of Sharjah Regional Cervical Cancer Forum, which was attended by more than 2,800 participants from the MENA region. Furthermore, the 3rd annual edition of the Ana-vation competition, which aims to engage school students with a scientific bent of mind to create smart applications for early detection, attracted 150 male and female students last year. All these efforts serve public interest, and we are committed to continue expanding our work to reach a wider segment of society, industry stakeholders, and the younger generation.”

Carluccio’s, the Italian casual dining restaurant chain has just introduced its A-La-Carte Ramadan menu, featuring a menu of locally inspired dishes, specially crafted for the season by Chef Roberto Senese. The signature dishes are all made in-house using the freshest ingredients and will be served during the Holy Month of Ramadan at all the Carluccio’s Dubai and Doha locations.  

The Ramadan exclusive menu includes homely appetisers including warm and mildly spiced potato and lentil soup served with focaccia, crispy saffron Arancini served with Pepolata sauce and Panelle, which is a Sicilian style chickpea fritters served with Arabiata sauce.

The main course will leave you spoilt for choice with options including slow cooked and tender lamb shank, creamy saffron Alla Milanese Risotto, traditional Italian seafood pizza, seafood Gnocchi toasted in saffron stock and handmade ravioli stuffed with buratta cheese and served with butter and truffle sauce.  

The desserts are a must-try with options including classic apple tarte with vanilla gelato, homemade chocolate almond cake served with vanilla gelato and crème anglaise and Babà Napolitano, which is a home-made sponge cake soaked in vanilla syrup and stuffed with sweet mascarpone and mixed berries.  

Head down to Carluccio’s with your family and friends this Ramadan for a memorable experience in a happy, bustling environment with excellent customer service. Carluccio’s is located at Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall and The Ranches Souk, Doha Festival City and Pearl Doha. For further information visit www.carlucciosme.com or email hello@carlucciosme.com