The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) has officially kicked off the 2026-2027 edition of its “Educate the Heart” programme, a year-long humanitarian effort. This year, the initiative unites more than 12,000 students, 47 teachers, and 47 schools across Sharjah in a collective mission to support the rehabilitation and equipping of the Nagaa Said Basic Education School in Dishna, Qena, Egypt. The project aims to create a more inclusive, safe, and well-resourced learning environment for approximately 750 Egyptian pupils.
The current cycle was inaugurated during an orientation gathering at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), where around 80 students and faculty members were briefed on their upcoming role. For the first time since the initiative’s inception, every participating school is aligned toward a single, shared educational goal, allowing students to witness the tangible impact of their collaborative efforts in Sharjah on a specific community abroad.
Throughout the academic year, students will spearhead a variety of fundraising and awareness-raising activities, including charity markets, art-driven campaigns, and creative school-led events that involve parents and the wider community. These efforts are expected to improve school infrastructure, enhance classroom learning spaces, and support professional development for teaching staff at the Dishna facility. This work will be carried out by TBHF in collaboration with the Misr El Kheir Foundation, with the final technical scope of improvements currently under development.
The project is designed not only to upgrade physical facilities but also to boost school attendance and academic outcomes, with a particular emphasis on encouraging female students to continue their education. Since its founding in 2022 under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of TBHF, “Educate the Heart” has engaged over 30,000 students, teaching them to turn humanitarian values into practical, meaningful action.
Mariam Al Hammadi, an Advisory Board Member at TBHF, emphasized that education goes beyond textbooks, stating, “It also shapes how young people understand their place within society, the responsibilities they carry towards others and the contribution they are capable of making.” She added that the initiative strives to embed empathy and initiative into the definition of student success, ultimately helping young leaders integrate social responsibility into their daily actions and long-term behavior. Take responsibility and work towards a shared purpose, schools are among the first environments in which young people learn what it means to collaborate. Act and lead, our ambition is to make humanitarian responsibility part of how young people think.
The programme will conclude with a recognition ceremony featuring Gold, Silver, and Bronze Heart Awards. The winning school of the Gold Heart Award will receive a trophy, a certificate, and dedicated media coverage through TBHF platforms, along with an invitation to participate in community engagement activities. Silver and Bronze recipients will also earn formal recognition.
As a highlight of the recognition, representatives from the top-performing school will embark on a fully funded humanitarian visit to Qena, Egypt. This journey allows students to meet the beneficiaries of their hard work, participate in volunteer activities, and observe firsthand the positive changes they helped facilitate. This trip serves as the final step in connecting the students’ year-long commitment in Sharjah with the real-world improvement of their peers’ educational environment in Egypt.
