Kuwaiti charitable organizations are exemplary models of philanthropy directed at supporting education and health in countries suffering from a lack of resources. These organizations establish and manage development complexes, universities, clinics, and hospitals in Africa and Asia. Educational institutions have provided educational opportunities to thousands of students, contributing to the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) related to quality education. Meanwhile, hospitals and clinics offer treatment to thousands of students, supporting the third SDG related to good health and well-being.
Charitable Organizations and Education
Education is one of the key pillars of sustainable development and directly contributes to combating poverty and achieving social justice. Through its charitable institutions, the State of Kuwait has played a pivotal role in supporting education in many impoverished countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. This has helped enhance the capabilities of local communities and achieve SDG goals. For example, Direct Aid Society has established four universities in Africa, while the World Mercy Society founded a university in Kyrgyzstan and another in Indonesia.
Kuwaiti Charitable Work and Higher Education
- SIMAD University (Somalia): Established in 2000, SIMAD University has eight major colleges offering various specializations, including Business Administration, Computer Science, Law, Education, Economics, Medicine, and Engineering. It currently educates over 4,423 students, contributing to development by equipping them with necessary skills.
- Umma University (Kenya): Founded in 2007 by Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait, may Allah have mercy on him, this was the first private Islamic university in Kenya. It offers programs in Computer Science, Business Administration, Sharia, and Nursing, with 2,291 students. It helps meet the growing demand for education in East Africa.
- Abdulrahman Al-Sumait University (Zanzibar): Established in 1998, it now serves over 1,145 students and offers multiple programs in Arts, Social Sciences, and Computer Science, aiming to enhance higher education opportunities in Zanzibar.
- Muslim University of Morogoro (Tanzania): Acquired by Direct Aid Society in 2018, this university has become a major educational center in Tanzania, with over 4,421 students. It offers programs in Islamic Studies, Business Administration, and Law.
- Mahmoud Kashgari University (Kyrgyzstan): Founded in 1999 in Bishkek, this is the only university in Kyrgyzstan offering a Master's degree in Arabic language. It enhances higher education in Central Asia.
- Al-Wafaa University (Indonesia): Established in response to the high demand for education in Jakarta, it comprises three main colleges offering specializations in Arabic Language, Sharia, and Economics.
Development Complexes
The World Mercy Society serves as another example of Kuwait’s charitable role in education, having established 27 development complexes and 456 educational facilities. These complexes provide comprehensive education and care for over 5,000 orphans in countries like Djibouti, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Some of these complexes include:
- Al-Rahma Development Complex (Djibouti): This complex includes a school, hospital, bakery unit, and vocational workshops, providing comprehensive care for orphans.
- Al-Rahma Educational Complex (Sri Lanka): This complex includes schools, industrial institutes, and comprehensive educational programs and has received international certificates in education and management.
Impact of Kuwaiti Charitable Work
These initiatives have produced generations of educated students who have contributed to building their communities. By providing quality education and vocational training opportunities, the abilities of young people have been enhanced to face labor market challenges, leading to improved economic and social conditions.
Education is one of the most important tools for achieving sustainable development, and Kuwait’s role in supporting education in impoverished countries reflects its commitment to helping build stable and prosperous communities. Through its charitable institutions, Kuwait has helped provide exceptional educational opportunities, improving quality of life and fighting poverty.
Health Projects
Kuwait boasts a distinguished record in humanitarian and developmental work, having played a prominent role in supporting health projects through charitable organizations. These efforts align with the United Nations' SDG 3, which focuses on "ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages." Some of Kuwait’s contributions to health projects via its charitable organizations include:
1. Kuwait International Hospital (Gaza): Established in 2007 in the Gaza Strip to provide comprehensive medical services to the residents of the area. The hospital serves around 40,000 citizens annually, conducting over 1,000 surgeries and 1,500 deliveries each year. This project is linked to SDG 3 as it helps provide affordable quality healthcare to the residents of Gaza, especially in the challenging circumstances they face.
2. Al-Rahma Hospital (Djibouti): This hospital is a fully integrated healthcare facility in Djibouti, offering advanced medical services such as MRI scans around the clock, as well as maternity and neonatal care. The hospital also has various medical departments such as general surgery, gynecology, and ophthalmology, significantly expanding the availability of healthcare services to the local community, especially in poor areas.
3. Hargeisa International Hospital (Somalia): One of the largest health projects of the World Mercy Society in Somalia, offering comprehensive health services in multiple specialties such as general surgery, pediatrics, ENT, and obstetrics. The hospital also plays an educational role by training new doctors and conducting training courses, contributing to the improvement of health systems and medical education in the country. This project is aligned with SDG 3 related to ensuring good health for all.
4. Dr. Al-Sumait Educational Hospital (Somalia): Part of SIMAD University, this hospital serves as a teaching center for medical students and provides medical services to nearby communities. It includes multiple units such as general surgery, intensive care, and laboratory services. The hospital contributes to improving maternal and neonatal health in the region with its modern maternity services, while its state-of-the-art laboratories enable advanced medical testing.
5. Kuwait Hospital (Cambodia): Opened in 2016, this is the first Islamic charitable hospital in Cambodia, established through joint efforts between Kuwait and the Cambodian government. The hospital provides free healthcare services to the poor and needy, strengthening the ties between the Kuwaiti and Cambodian peoples and contributing to universal health coverage by providing free medical care to disadvantaged populations.
6. Al-Sayer Clinic (Sudan): The Mohammad Nasser Al-Sayer and Sons Clinic in Sudan is a comprehensive healthcare center that provides essential primary care and laboratory services. It improves public health services in remote areas south of Khartoum, offering critical medical care such as primary healthcare, laboratory testing, and maternity services.
7. Medical Convoy Projects: In addition to hospitals, Kuwaiti charitable organizations, like the World Mercy Society, organize medical convoys to remote areas, providing essential healthcare and treating thousands of cases in each campaign. These convoys support regions with limited health services, ensuring access to healthcare in line with the United Nations' SDGs.
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