emirates7 - In a year declared by the wise leadership as the “Year of Community,” Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha bint Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan—wife of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE—highlighted the foundation’s success in fulfilling its humanitarian mission. In the first half of 2025 alone, the foundation granted 418 wishes to children battling life-threatening illnesses, spreading hope and happiness to their hearts.
Sheikha Sheikha emphasized that the “Year of Community” served as a strong catalyst, inspiring the foundation to amplify its efforts and deepen its commitment to supporting ill children and their families. She affirmed the UAE’s ongoing role as a symbol of compassion and hope.
She noted that the Year of the Community was not merely a slogan, but a true expression of national and humanitarian awareness, during which individuals and institutions alike showcased the values of generosity and unity—core elements of the Emirati identity. She stressed that sick children deserve everyone’s support as a vital bridge to life, hope, and joy.
Sheikha Sheikha also shared that the foundation’s impact extended beyond the UAE, with wishes granted in Egypt (109), Jordan (63), and Yemen (15), in addition to 231 within the UAE. The beneficiaries represented 25 different nationalities, underscoring the foundation’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
She described each wish as a symbol of life, with every child’s smile serving as a beacon of hope and a testament to shared humanity. These accomplishments, she added, were made possible through collaboration with partners from both the public and private sectors.
In closing, Sheikha Sheikha expressed sincere gratitude to all contributors, partners, and team members, saying, “You are the heartbeat of this humanitarian mission. Your dedication allows us to keep delivering on our promise with passion and professionalism. Together, we transform small dreams into powerful realities.”
The granted wishes were categorized into three main types:
Wishes to receive something (369 wishes):
These included a wide range of items such as state-of-the-art electronics, bicycles, electric scooters, a Shaheen falcon, a camel, a horse, a piano, bedroom furnishings, gold jewelry, televisions, outdoor play equipment, and more—each reflecting the unique passions of the children.
Wishes to go somewhere (48 wishes):
This covered 9 local trips to exciting destinations like the Museum of the Future, Atlantis Hotel (with dolphin encounters), Sharjah Safari, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld, Ferrari World, and other fun-filled attractions that created joyful memories.
Wishes to travel abroad (39 wishes):
International trips included magical experiences in Disneyland Orlando, Paris, Tokyo, and other global destinations such as Japan, Manchester, Korea, Switzerland, Germany, Bosnia, the Maldives, Thailand, Moscow, India, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Some children also chose spiritual journeys like Umrah.
Sheikha Sheikha emphasized that the “Year of Community” served as a strong catalyst, inspiring the foundation to amplify its efforts and deepen its commitment to supporting ill children and their families. She affirmed the UAE’s ongoing role as a symbol of compassion and hope.
She noted that the Year of the Community was not merely a slogan, but a true expression of national and humanitarian awareness, during which individuals and institutions alike showcased the values of generosity and unity—core elements of the Emirati identity. She stressed that sick children deserve everyone’s support as a vital bridge to life, hope, and joy.
Sheikha Sheikha also shared that the foundation’s impact extended beyond the UAE, with wishes granted in Egypt (109), Jordan (63), and Yemen (15), in addition to 231 within the UAE. The beneficiaries represented 25 different nationalities, underscoring the foundation’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
She described each wish as a symbol of life, with every child’s smile serving as a beacon of hope and a testament to shared humanity. These accomplishments, she added, were made possible through collaboration with partners from both the public and private sectors.
In closing, Sheikha Sheikha expressed sincere gratitude to all contributors, partners, and team members, saying, “You are the heartbeat of this humanitarian mission. Your dedication allows us to keep delivering on our promise with passion and professionalism. Together, we transform small dreams into powerful realities.”
The granted wishes were categorized into three main types:
Wishes to receive something (369 wishes):
These included a wide range of items such as state-of-the-art electronics, bicycles, electric scooters, a Shaheen falcon, a camel, a horse, a piano, bedroom furnishings, gold jewelry, televisions, outdoor play equipment, and more—each reflecting the unique passions of the children.
Wishes to go somewhere (48 wishes):
This covered 9 local trips to exciting destinations like the Museum of the Future, Atlantis Hotel (with dolphin encounters), Sharjah Safari, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld, Ferrari World, and other fun-filled attractions that created joyful memories.
Wishes to travel abroad (39 wishes):
International trips included magical experiences in Disneyland Orlando, Paris, Tokyo, and other global destinations such as Japan, Manchester, Korea, Switzerland, Germany, Bosnia, the Maldives, Thailand, Moscow, India, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Some children also chose spiritual journeys like Umrah.