Integrated development project to bring housing, education and water access to Zamboanga residents.
Sharjah: Sharjah Charity International has launched an appeal to donors and philanthropists to help complete funding for a Dh2.1 million integrated charitable village in the southern region of Zamboanga in the Philippines.
The project is designed to provide housing, education, clean water and sustainable livelihood opportunities for hundreds of beneficiaries.
The humanitarian initiative will feature 25 fully furnished homes capable of accommodating around 225 people from vulnerable families, four classrooms serving up to 160 students, a groundwater well to ensure access to clean water, and a vocational training centre aimed at equipping residents with practical skills and helping them secure stable sources of income.
Mohammed Ibrahim Bin Nassar, Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing at Sharjah Charity International, said the project reflects the organisation’s commitment to implementing sustainable development initiatives that deliver long-term improvements in the lives of beneficiaries.
He added that the “charitable village” model is one of the association’s most impactful initiatives, as it brings together housing, education, water access and employment opportunities in a single location, helping to create lasting social and economic stability for families.
According to Bin Nassar, the organisation is working to secure the remaining funding required to complete the project and is encouraging public contributions to support its completion.
He said donor support would have a direct impact on improving the lives of hundreds of beneficiaries by providing safer, more stable living conditions and helping build self-sustaining communities better equipped to overcome economic hardship.
The housing component will provide secure accommodation for 225 people from low-income families, offering dignified living conditions while easing the challenges linked to inadequate shelter. Bin Nassar noted that safe housing is a key foundation for family stability and helps enable better access to education, employment and improved living standards.
As part of its education-focused initiatives, the project will also include four classrooms designed to serve around 160 students in the surrounding area. The facilities aim to give children access to a proper learning environment and support families who struggle to enrol their children in school due to distance or financial constraints.
“Education remains one of the most important humanitarian investments and plays a vital role in shaping a better future for coming generations,” Bin Nassar said.
He added that the village will include an artesian well to provide a sustainable source of clean water for residents and nearby families. The facility is expected to significantly improve public health and living standards, particularly in areas where access to safe water is limited.
The project will also feature a vocational training centre aimed at supporting craftsmen and workers through practical skills development programmes. It is designed to help beneficiaries build stable incomes and improve their overall economic conditions.
Bin Nassar said Sharjah Charity International believes that true development begins with empowering individuals and equipping them with the tools needed to become productive and self-reliant.
He added that the organisation continues to implement international projects through a sustainability-focused approach, in coordination with relevant authorities in beneficiary countries to ensure the highest standards of execution and maximum impact.
He said charitable villages have become one of the association’s most popular humanitarian initiatives due to their long-term social and developmental benefits, calling on donors to contribute towards completing the project’s funding.
“Every dirham contributed helps build a more stable community, supports children’s education, provides access to clean water and creates employment opportunities that promote self-reliance,” Bin Nassar said. “The impact of such giving extends beyond immediate assistance and benefits future generations.”
Sharjah Charity International said donations can be made through its smart app, official website, bank transfers, credit cards, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, SMS donation services, smart donation kiosks across various locations, as well as in-person at its headquarters and branch offices.
The association said that contributions to the project will help improve the lives of hundreds of families in the Zamboanga region and establish a sustainable community development model that integrates housing, education, access to clean water and economic empowerment.
