Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

The parents, whose children attend private schools in Abu Dhabi, have offered their thanks to the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma’an’s ‘Together We Are Good’ programme for paying the tuition fees. More than 8,000 families benefitted from the financial support, which was funded by contributions to ‘Together We Are Good’ from the Abu Dhabi community.

The authority’s Education Support programme, launched in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), aimed to support families that have been financially impacted by the current health and economic challenges until the end of the current academic term.

Riyadh Atta said he learnt about the financial assistance available to meet his two daughter’s education costs from the ‘Together We Are Good’ programme and applied. “The UAE has helped us greatly, especially the Government of Abu Dhabi,” he explained. “I was very happy to hear the news that our request for school fee support had been approved.”

His eldest daughter Hala, a student at Vision School Abu Dhabi, said: “I would like to thank Ma’an and the ‘Together We Are Good’ programme for everything they have provided us with to facilitate our learning experience.”

Her younger sister, Malak Atta, who also attends Vision School Abu Dhabi, added that she was grateful to the UAE for helping them to continue their education despite the current difficult global situation.”

Another parent who expressed his thanks for this all-important support was Benu Bennette. He was impressed with Abu Dhabi Government’s response to the situation, and to Ma’an for creating the ‘Together We Are Good’ programme. “For that, I am happy,” he said.

“We are thankful to all contributors that supported the programme, because they did it from a humanitarian basis.”

The ‘Together We Are Good’ programme is the first project to come to fruition as a result of Ma’an’s Social Fund that allows community contributions to help tackle social challenges. The Social Fund is the official government channel to receive contributions from the community to tackle pressing social challenges.

Participants wishing to contribute financially to ‘Together We Are Good’ can send SMS messages to 6670 (AED 1000), 6678 (500 AED), 6683 (100 AED) and 6658 (50 AED). They can also call 8005-MAAN for volunteering and in-kind and financial contributions above AED 1,000 or send messages on WhatsApp on 0543055366. In-kind contributions include equipment, buildings, services, and time as well as expert volunteering efforts.