The Digital School, an initiative of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has provided over 1,500 refurbished digital devices to vulnerable and underprivileged students across the UAE through its "Donate Your Device" campaign, in partnership with Tarahum Charity Foundation.
Part of the "Giving and Hope" Back-to-School Campaign, the initiative supports students from low-income families, orphans, and other vulnerable groups as they start the new academic year. It has distributed 48 laptops and 1,085 tablets, collected from institutions and organisations across the UAE and refurbished to technical standards before reaching students.
Khalid Al Qasim, Chairman of Tarahum Charity Foundation, said the partnership reflects the value of coordinated community efforts, helping beneficiary families start the school year with confidence while reinforcing the UAE's culture of giving and social responsibility.
Dr. Waleed Al Ali, Secretary-General of the Digital School, said the initiative reflects the Digital School's commitment to expanding its educational impact through community partnerships, combining education and sustainability by giving donated devices a new life as learning tools.
The initiative doubles as a sustainability effort, cutting electronic waste by extending devices' operational lifespans. The "Donate Your Device" campaign collects used electronics from the public and institutions, refurbishing usable devices for students and recycling the rest responsibly.
Its second edition is run in partnership with the Digital School, Emirates Red Crescent Authority, and Ecyclex, backed by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, with a target of collecting 100,000 used devices. The first edition, launched in 2023 during the UAE's Year of Sustainability, collected 50,000 devices and recycled 120 tonnes of e-waste, cutting CO2 emissions by roughly 122 tonnes, saving 170,000 litres of fuel, and protecting around 32,000 square feet of land from e-waste pollution.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in November 2020, the Digital School aims to expand access to digital and blended learning in underserved communities, including refugees and displaced persons, where educational resources are limited.
Tarahum Charity Foundation is a leading UAE charity supporting low-income families, orphans, and vulnerable groups through humanitarian and community programmes, partnering with government, private, and community entities.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
