Dubai: The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), has donated $700,000 (Dh257,097) to support a girl’s school in Pakistan, the construction of which is in the second phase with the project due to for completion in April 2018.

The Sharjah-based global charity will fund the school project through the TBHF ‘Girl Child Fund’ in cooperation with the ‘Malala Fund’ launched by Nobel laureate and female education activist, Malala Yousafzai.

The school is being constructed in Swat Valley, Yousafzai’s home district in Pakistan, and will open its doors to 350 girls in its 11 classrooms once completed.

The move to fund the project was announced in the presence of Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, The Big Heart Foundation’s humanitarian envoy, and Malala Yousafzai, in Oxford, London, following an agreement signed by Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of TBHF, and Farah Mohammad, CEO of Malala Fund.

“It is important to recognise that supporting our young and future generations with education is a fundamental responsibility for the world, and cooperating with one another to achieve this initiative is key to make sure that every young boy and girl has access to knowledge, and has access to opportunities for building a hopeful future,” said Shaikh Sultan.

TBHF’s donation, covering half the project’s financial needs, will be used to build classrooms, science and computer labs, staff rooms, principal’s room, a reception area and playground facilities. The school will also include a library, laboratory, an activity hall, and a dormitory for female teachers from remote areas.

The TBHF Girl Child Fund will also partially cover the first two years of the school’s operational costs, including staff salaries, medical and security expenses, transportation, uniforms, books, stationary and other utilities.

“I overwhelmingly thank The Big Heart Foundation for believing in my dream of a world where girls can choose their own future path. With their support, the Malala Fund can provide education for girls in my hometown, Swat Valley in Pakistan,” said Malala Yousafzai.

In June 2015, Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, officially launched The Big Heart Foundation to coincide with the World Refugee Day. The foundation aims to protect and enable vulnerable and marginalised children and their families, focusing primarily on the Arab world, but extending support to areas in most need.