The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai along with Omniyat, a Dubai-based developer, has launched ‘Tarmeem,’ an initiative to undertake varied community development projects during 2017, which is the ‘Year of Giving’ in the UAE.

‘Tarmeem,’ which means ‘restore/refurbish,’ is aimed to provide quality education and amenities to children with little or no financial means. The first phase of the initiative will see the Manar Al Iman Charity Private School in Ajman, meant primarily for orphans and children from low-income families, being restored and refurbished into a modern facility.

The refurbishment, which will take just under a month to complete, will include the complete restoration of 22 classrooms, construction of a brand-new playground, new windows and doors throughout, and full installation of air-conditioning, among other improvements.

His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED, and Mr. Mahdi Amjad, Board Director and CEO of Omniyat Properties Group, signed an agreement on the restoration project in the presence of senior executives from both sides as well as representatives of the partner firms in the project.

Al Qamzi said ‘Tarmeem’ represents a synergy in fulfilling social responsibility, particularly between the public and private sectors as well as volunteers, and added that DED and its agencies are keen to promote a culture of social responsibility and contribute towards the concept of giving.

“We chose this restoration programme in view of its significance in three vital areas – namely, consolidation of social responsibility in the private sector, support education, and promotion of voluntary work among community members,” said Al Qamzi.

“From the private sector, 19 entities including Omniyat, are part of this initiative, the primary goal of which is to restore and renovate the Manar Al Iman School for Charity in Ajman. The school provides education for underprivileged children, including those from low-income families and orphans. ‘Tarmeem’ seeks to transform the school into a full-fledged facility capable of meeting the needs of its students,” Al Qamzi added.

Reiterating DED’s commitment to launching more community development initiatives jointly with different industry sectors in 2017, Al Qamzi said it would provide further opportunities for businesses to leave their footprint in the realm of humanitarian work.

Mahdi Amjad said: “As a UAE-based private company, we have benefitted from the growth and prosperity of the country. As such we want to re-invest into fostering the educational excellence of future generations. There is no better time to do this than in 2017, the Year of Giving.