The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), a global humanitarian charity dedicated to helping children and families in need worldwide, has launched a local campaign seeking support from UAE citizens and residents to support Palestinian and Syrian refugee children, child cancer sufferers and children in need.

The campaign’s theme is “Their Happiness is in your hands, donate to provide them with a better future” and it aims to help alleviate suffering of children affected by conflict and those with cancer by providing them with essentials such as healthcare, access to clean water, clothes and shelter. The campaign is in line with the vision and directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, to mobilize community support for refugee children.

Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of Salam Ya Seghar, a TBHF initiative, said, “As underprivileged children continue to suffer we must step up our efforts to provide them with more support. The launch of this community campaign comes in line with our commitment to provide the needs of those children and ensure they live a dignified life.”
The campaign’s timely launch comes as a number of Arab countries are suffering from crisis and war, leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of families who have fled their homes and cities, looking for a safe haven in other countries. As a result, many children and women are living under very difficult conditions in makeshift camps in neighboring countries, which is a particular concern when the Middle East faces freezing weather and windstorms during the cold winter months.

Donations can be made through messages on both Etisalat and Du. Etisalat subscribers can donate AED10 by sending an SMS to 2000, AED50 to 2002 and AED100 to 2003, while Du users can donate AED10 by texting 9415, and AED50 to 9420.

Al Hammadi added, “Many people do not realize how small steps can lead to big changes and even small donations can go a long way for people in need. Therefore, we appeal to everyone in the UAE to help and support vulnerable women and children, who barely get even one meal a day and are struggling to live in dignity.”

TBHF recently distributed hundreds of boxes, each containing a small notebook and a greeting card with a picture of a group of children drawing big hearts with their hands, “We hope you will not forget us”.

Under the guidance and leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, TBHF seeks to raise awareness about the plight of refugees around the world and to mobilize international support and provide a reasonable standard of living for them. In May 2015, The Big Heart Campaign was transformed into an independent international humanitarian foundation headed by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi. The Foundation currently consists of three initiatives: Salam Ya Seghar - For the Children of Palestine; Salam Ya Seghar - For Refugee Children, and Salam Ya Seghar - For Childhood Cancer.

Since its establishment, the Big Heart Foundation has provided life-saving medical services to over 365,000 Syrian refugees and gave more than 400,000 others vital food
and financial aid. During the winter months, the foundation provided basic essentials to children and their families such as warm shelters, blankets, and clothing in Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Lebanon.