Sentebale raises over $1million in Dubai
The Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, set up in November 2012 to support medical treatment, education and research locally and globally, announces its first international partnership with Sentebale, the charity founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to support the most vulnerable children in Lesotho.
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The partnership was launched last night at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai at the Sentebale Forget-Me-Not dinner, at which over $1 million was successfully raised to build the first purpose-built Mamohato Children’s Centre of Excellence in Lesotho. The creation of the first Centre alone will enable Sentebale to reach four times as many HIV-positive children each year through the Mamohato Network Clubs and Camps Programme which addresses the gap in HIV/AIDS education and provides emotional and psychological support for HIV-positive children in Lesotho.
Cathy Ferrier, CEO at Sentebale, said: “Sentebale launched the fundraising campaign to build the first Mamohato Children’s Centre in February this year and we have generated support from all over the world. The Forget-Me-Not dinner in Dubai was a resounding success and in one night we raised over $1million. The evening would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our sponsors Coutts, Garrard/Damas and JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai. In addition, we are delighted to have partnered with the Al Jalila Foundation and look forward to a long-term relationship where we can bring hope and opportunity to even more children across southern Africa. We want to thank all our donors, including the Elton John Aids Foundation and many individual donors who have supported this programme.”
Her Excellency Raja Easa Al Gurg, member of the Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation, commented on the partnership with Sentebale: “Our partnership with Sentebale is in line with our strategy to establish robust collaborations with local and international institutions that could yield to fostering a culture of excellence in medical education and research. We believe wholeheartedly in how Sentebale is changing the lives of children in Lesotho, and we are confident that together we can make a stronger impact. As we continue to champion life-changing improvements that benefit future generations, we are delighted to offer long-term support to Sentebale, especially as it looks to expand the success of its Mamohato centres beyond Lesotho.”
Sentebale’s co-founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, along with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum attended the dinner, kindly supported by Coutts. Guests enjoyed a three-course dinner followed by an exciting auction and performance from English soul singer and songwriter Joss Stone.
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Amir Sadr, Managing Director Co-Head, Coutts, Middle East, added: “Given Coutts’ long and distinguished history of supporting philanthropic causes, we were delighted to sponsor the Sentebale Forget-Me-Not dinner. The evening was truly memorable and we were proud to be associated with such generous support of this worthy cause.”
