On 9 October, the Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organization established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, set up in November 2012 to support medical treatment, education and research locally and globally, announced its first international partnership with Sentebale, the charity founded by HRH Prince Henry of Wales (Prince Harry) and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to support the most vulnerable children in Lesotho. The event was held in the iconic JW Marriott Marquis in Business Bay. Sentebale’s co-founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, along with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum attended the dinner, kindly supported by Coutts. Guests enjoyed a three-course dinner followed by an exciting auction and performance from English soul singer and songwriter Joss Stone.
The partnership was launched on 7 October at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai at the Sentebale Forget-Me-Not dinner, at which over $1 million was successfully raised to build the first purpose-built Mamohato Children’s Center of Excellence in Lesotho. The creation of the first Center alone will enable Sentebale to reach four times as many HIV-positive children each year through the Mamohato Network Clubs and Camps Programme which addresses the gap in HIV/AIDS education and provides emotional and psychological support for HIV-positive children in Lesotho.