Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of the Varkey Foundation and GEMS Education, has donated AED100 million to support Awqaf Abu Dhabi’s Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans.

The initiative was launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. It aims to create a sustainable system that ensures orphans have access to quality education, better social integration, and stronger economic opportunities to improve their overall quality of life.

The endowment is designed as a long-term solution, ensuring continuous support rather than temporary aid. It focuses on empowering orphaned children through education and stable opportunities so they can build secure and successful futures.

The campaign also aligns with the UAE’s Year of Family, highlighting unity and collective responsibility across society. It reflects how individuals and institutions are coming together to support vulnerable children and strengthen social solidarity.

Speaking about the contribution, Sunny Varkey said the initiative reflects the UAE’s leadership in compassion, sustainability, and long-term social development. He emphasized that giving has always been central to his family’s values and that education remains the foundation of a prosperous and sustainable society.

He added that empowering young people with knowledge not only changes individual lives but also contributes to national progress. He also praised Awqaf Abu Dhabi for developing innovative endowment models that create lasting social impact.

Sunny Varkey is widely recognized for his global contributions to education and philanthropy, including the Global Teacher Prize, an initiative that honors outstanding teachers worldwide.

Launched on 18 February 2026, the Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans reflects the UAE’s long-standing commitment to supporting orphans through coordinated efforts between families and institutions. The initiative also seeks to strengthen the traditional waqf system as a sustainable tool for social development while encouraging broad community participation.

With this AED100 million contribution, the endowment gains significant momentum in its mission to provide stable, long-term educational and social support to orphans across the UAE.