Sheikha Jawaher launches humanitarian initiatives in Morocco to protect and empower children

Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi Humanitarian Foundation is leading two projects focused on community protection and rehabilitation targeting over 5,000 children, families and local communities

   740 direct beneficiaries and 5,000 family members reached through a community protection initiative in partnership with Fondation Amane pour la Protection de l’Enfance (FAPE)

   Unites the efforts of 180 government, community, and local institutions

   100 children and 140 family members supported through rehabilitation and care programmes implemented with Bayti Association

   Joint partnership between the KSQF, TBHF, and Bayti to support children at risk of labor and family disintegration 

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi Humanitarian Foundation (KSQF), and UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, has launched two initiatives in the Kingdom of Morocco to strengthen child protection frameworks and empower local communities. Led by KSQF, these projects aim to create safe and supportive environments for children facing social hardships, including refugee and migrant children, in a country that hosts refugees and asylum seekers from around 64 nations.

Launched in 2024, KSQF aims to protect and empower children affected by poverty, conflict, and natural disasters worldwide. It works to ensure their fundamental rights and provide support through community awareness programmes, protection initiatives, and global strategic partnerships. The Foundation also seeks to reduce the risks of exploitation, child labour, and child trafficking in cooperation with local and international humanitarian organizations.

The first project, funded by KSQF and executed by the Fondation Amane pour la Protection de l’Enfance (FAPE), aims to strengthen local child protection systems in the Sous-Massa region, while the second initiative, jointly funded with The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), will be implemented by Bayti Association across the nation’s major urban centres.

These initiatives embody KSQF’s long-term vision, mirroring the Emirate of Sharjah and the UAE’s commitment, to championing social stability and sustainable development for children in vulnerable environments.

Empowering generations to lead Arab progress

Sheikha Jawaher affirmed that these initiatives embody the noble message of the late Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, who believed that protecting childhood is a central pillar in building strong societies. Her Highness praised the Kingdom of Morocco’s efforts in nurturing children and strengthening social protection systems that consider all social groups, especially children, whether citizens or refugees seeking safety on Moroccan soil.

During a meeting with officials from the Bayti Association, Her Highness emphasized that every human being is born with a pure heart and a natural inclination toward goodness. The environment surrounding a child and the people who influence their path play the greatest role in shaping their personality and behaviour, either by reinforcing this innate positivity or diverting it toward negativity.

Her Highness said: “We cannot find peace knowing that there is a child who suffers or is deprived of care, education, or healthcare. This is a tremendous responsibility that cannot be borne by a single entity; it requires the collective effort of governments, the private sector, and every member of society to protect every child. The future we aspire to depends on a generation raised with awareness of human rights and responsibilities, in an environment that nurtures their growth and opens wide the doors to knowledge and opportunity.”

She added: “The Foundation’s projects in Morocco reflect the depth of our shared humanity and the common destiny that binds our peoples. At their core lies a shared Arab aspiration to build generations that are self-confident, grounded in their values, and capable of contributing creatively and effectively to the advancement of their societies.”

These remarks were delivered during a humanitarian mission to the Kingdom of Morocco, where Her Highness met with national and international partners of KSQF projects to review joint efforts to strengthen child protection and promote community development.

A national model for child protection

Her Highness oversaw the signing of the grant agreement’s first project, titled “Strengthening Local Child Protection Systems Through Community Mobilization, Government Collaboration, and Mobile Outreach.” The 17-month initiative was launched by KSQF in collaboration with Fondation Amane pour la Protection de l’Enfance (FAPE) in the Sous-Massa region. It is set to reach 740 direct beneficiaries, over 5,000 families, and 180 institutional representatives.

The agreement was signed by Abdullah Al Huraimel, KSQF Board of Trustee, and Abdellah Soussi, President of FAPE, in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Development, Equality and Family, and the National Mutual Aid.

The project advances efforts to strengthen child protection in rural areas, addressing the urgent need for safer environments for child development. It equips families to care for and advocate for their children, raises public awareness, and expands access to essential services. Through this, KSQF complements national frameworks with impactful projects that empower children—especially girls—to lead dignified lives of learning and growth.

Supporting Morocco’s Integrated Public Policy for the Protection of Children (PPIPEM), the initiative creates a local model linking national strategy with community action. It includes awareness campaigns, training for child welfare workers, and strengthening Taroudant’s Child Protection Unit to provide psychosocial support, legal aid, birth registration, and school reintegration.

Two mobile teams will connect remote villages in Ouled Teima and Ouled Berhil with protection services. The initiative also includes applied research and a national child protection reform conference, developed with Ibn Zohr University in Morocco, Massey University, and the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

The initiative is implemented in coordination with the Ministries of Solidarity, Employment, Education, Health, and Justice, and National Mutual Aid to ensure cohesive action and long-term sustainability.

Child care: Cultivating the future

Her Highness also visited the site of the second initiative, titled “Cultivating the Future: Prevention, Protection, Rehabilitation, and Care for Children in Street Situations and Their Families,” is launched in partnership with The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), a global humanitarian organization based in Sharjah, providing health, education and emergency aid services to those in need. The project will be implemented in collaboration with Association, one of Morocco’s leading child protection organizations.

This 18-month initiative provides direct support and rehabilitation for 100 children, with an additional 140 indirect beneficiaries, including families and local communities. It strengthens comprehensive child protection efforts in major urban centers by creating an integrated model of prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration, leveraging Bayti Association's three decades of expertise.

During the visit, Her Highness met with key members of the Association, including Director Ms. Yamna Taltit, and was briefed on the professional training and family care programmes the Association provides for children and young people. Her Highness also visited the Association's Farm School, which offers intensive agricultural training programmes for youth. There, Her Highness met with the participating youth and discussed their challenges, needs, and future opportunities.

The programme will provide children with shelter, healthcare, psychological support, education, and vocational training through Bayti’s Farm School Program. This unique initiative uses organic farming as psychosocial rehabilitation, where children rebuild confidence and a sense of belonging by tending crops and learning responsibility in a safe, therapeutic environment.

Complementing this, awareness programmes and community workshops aim to strengthen family ties, foster community accountability for child protection, and address the root causes that lead children to the streets.