Dubai start-up Cafu aims to raise more than Dh150,000 to help build school in Malawi

A Dubai-based start-up has announced a pledge to raise more than Dh150,000 to help fund and build a school in Malawi.

In collaboration with the Dubai Cares Adopt-a-School programme — part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives — Cafu is aiming to raise about Dh154,000 in donations that will help to provide Malawian children with access to education.

As children around the world head back to the classroom, the fuel-delivery and vehicle services platform hopes to construct and run a two-room primary school that will cater to 100 pupils.

It plans to build the school within a year and also create 18 months of literacy activities that will benefit parents and adults in the surrounding community.

Through its Brick by Brick campaign, Cafu’s pledge to sponsor the school will ultimately increase school enrolment in the community by 15 per cent to 20 per cent, helping to break the cycle of poverty in the area, the company said.

With the money raised, and with help from Dubai Cares, the campaign will also provide everything the school needs to run successfully, including furniture and textbooks.

The school will also host up to 60 adult men and women for literacy classes and educational programmes.

Cafu has rolled out several community initiatives in the UAE, including Al Ihsan Charity Association, which provides free fuel to low-income families in Ajman, and “Cafu Creates”, a programme that aims to empower young people by offering a platform for them to pitch innovative ideas, the company said.

Brick by Brick is the company’s first international campaign.

Senegalese pupils benefit from Dubai Cares programme — in pictures

Ms Ndiaye Diouf stands next to one of the several hundred publications and teaching materials printed by ARED to help students learn French in a language where the majority of official work is conducted in the lingua Franca. Naser Al Wasmi / The National

The basis of a bilingual programme, newly sponsored by Dubai Cares in the capital of Dakar, is to teach students in both local languages and French, Senegal’s official language. Naser Al Wasmi / The National

This bilingual programme is the first in a series of Dubai Cares aid in Senegal. Naser Al Wasmi / The National

Students participate in the bilingual classes. Naser Al Wasmi / The National

Mauri Bicesse, 1st grade, 9, rights down the amount used to buy a coffee as part of the schools bilingual programme. Naser Al Wasmi / The National

Seven-year-old Astau Diouf, 1st grade, writes down the phonetic spelling of 10,000 Senegalese Francs in an attempt to impress her classmates with a correct answer. Naser Al Wasmi / The National

Amy Diouf teaches students maths. The students will repeat the same subject in both French and their local language, Wolof. Naser Al Wasmi / The National

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

THE BIO

Bio Box

Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul

Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader

Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Favorite food: seafood

Favorite place to travel: Lebanon

Favorite movie: Braveheart

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HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

An arms embargo
A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods

COMPANY%20PROFILE

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The specs: 2018 Renault Megane

Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200

Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder

Transmission Continuously variable transmission

Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km

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The%20specs%3A%20Taycan%20Turbo%20GT

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Race card

5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m

6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m

6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m

7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m

8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m

9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m

9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m

Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now