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Gulf for Good – the UAE-based non-profit organisation, which supports sustainable charity projects for children and promotes wellbeing through life changing experiences – raised more than AED 585,000 during 2020 from fundraising activities and donations, which will benefit more than 1,900 children across its global charity projects.
The organisation, which celebrates its 20th anniversary later this year, attributes its success during one of its most challenging years to the loyal support of its community and key corporate partners in its mission to support projects across Lebanon, Nepal, Peru, Tanzania, and Uganda.
"Despite this being one of the most difficult years since Gulf for Good was founded, we have been able to raise an incredible sum that will allow us to continue supporting projects for the benefit of children's health and education all over the world," Anne Edmondson, Chairwoman of Gulf for Good said. "This has been no mean feat and one that would not have been possible without the support of our team, our community and our corporate partners."
Key corporate partners have continued to play a vital part in Gulf for Good's fundraising efforts this year with the likes of Kibsons', who through its online customers and own donation, raised funds to build a playground and football pitch in the Ugandan town of Kisoro. Towards the end of 2020 Kibsons launched a second online campaign to build a classroom for Masai children with disabilities and help reduce the teacher to student ratio for Enjoro School in Tanzania, in partnership with Foundation for African Empowerment (FAE).
In addition, Gulf for Good hosted corporate challenges and hikes for a number of corporate partners during 2020, including OMG and GAC. Other 2020 corporate partners included EnviroServe, OJ Lifestyle, Kaspersky, Munch On, ZEN Interiors, ShopRetold, Vaasara, NAFSI, Gymnation, and James Barry & Associates, with YAS Media providing printing during the year.
"Our corporate partners continue to be key facilitators in our ambitions both for specific projects and for our general sustainability and support of projects around the world. On behalf of Gulf for Good and our charity partners, I wish to thank each of them for their support during the past 12 months," Edmondson added.
To counter the impact that global travel restrictions had on its annual challenges, which host challengers on multi-day life-changing hikes or cycle rides in iconic locations such as Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, and Machu Picchu, to support charity partners around the world, Gulf for Good launched a series of virtual challenges. These saw 188 people climb the height of the Burj Khalifa in May, 64 people trek Kilimanjaro for Larchfield in Tanzania, and over 150 people walk the length of the Lebanese Mountain Trail for the Lebanese Red Cross, all from the comfort of their own home. During the UAE National Day weekend, 20 keen cyclists took to the mountains of the Eastern Emirates in aid of the Chicuchas Wasi, a comprehensive primary school for impoverished indigenous girls in Peru, and the United Nations World Relief Agency. The same challenge was taken on by OMG later in the month to raise funds for Nusaned in Lebanon.
Throughout the year, Gulf for Good hosted 999 people on 17 hikes in the northern Emirates, and 54 training sessions which included beach yoga and stair climbs. Held during the cooler months, experienced Outdoor First Aid-certified guides lead weekend hikes that range from moderate to demanding levels, ranging from four to 20km in length.
Last year also saw the establishment of our partner preloved social enterprise, Thrift for Good, the passion project of Gulf for Good's previous Operations Manager Jen Sault. Launching as an online venture in April, its first shop opened in November on The Palm, dedicating at least 50 per cent of funds raised going to Gulf for Good.
"The success of Thrift for Good since opening our physical store has been phenomenal and has allowed us to fulfill our commitment to reduce waste and raise even more funds for children around the world in partnership with Gulf for Good," Jen Sault, founder of Thrift for Good said. "We have already raised significant funds to support the charity's projects and are appreciative of the community who have cheered us on during our initial opening period."
In the past 19 years Gulf for Good has raised almost USD 4 million for 61 charity projects in 27 countries helping more than 35,000 children with a focus on education projects such as building schools and renovating classrooms in developing countries. To find out more details about Gulf for Good and how to support its charity projects, please visit www.gulf4good.org.
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