Sunny Varkey has contributed AED 100 million in support of Awqaf Abu Dhabi’s Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans campaign, launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
Strengthening Sustainable Social Development
The Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans initiative promotes endowment, or waqf, as a catalyst for sustainable social development. It aims to establish a long term funding model that supports orphaned children through access to quality education and social care.
This step reflects Sunny Varkey’s longstanding record of philanthropy and giving, as the founder of the Varkey Foundation, renowned for its charitable work in the field of education. It also aligns with the Varkey family’s commitment to fulfilling their responsibility towards the community and with their global mission to empower education.
The endowment serves as a sustainable platform to ensure that orphans have access to quality educational opportunities that enhance their social integration, strengthen their economic empowerment, and enable them to lead dignified lives.
Aligning with the Year of the Family
The contribution underscores the strong national response to the campaign, which coincides with the Year of the Family. The initiative reinforces shared responsibility for orphan care and highlights how all segments of UAE society stand together as one family in support of vulnerable children.
Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of Varkey Foundation and GEMS Education, said:
“We are proud to support the Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans, an inspiring initiative that reflects the UAE’s global leadership in compassion, sustainability, and long-term social development. This forward-looking model of giving ensures that support for orphans is not temporary, but enduring, providing dignity, stability, and opportunity for generations to come. Giving has always been at the heart of our family’s values. Through this endowment, we hope orphaned children will grow up with security, access to quality education, and the confidence to dream of a brighter future. Education remains the fundamental pillar of a sustainable and prosperous society. By empowering young people with knowledge and opportunity, we not only transform individual lives, but also contribute to the advancement of the nation. We commend Awqaf Abu Dhabi for its leadership in developing innovative endowment models that deliver lasting social impact, and we are honored to collaborate on this noble national initiative that embodies the values of solidarity and social cohesion that distinguish the United Arab Emirates.”
A Legacy of Global Philanthropy
Sunny Varkey is widely recognised for his global contributions to education and philanthropy, including the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize initiative. His work has consistently focused on creating scalable and sustainable solutions that expand access to learning and improve quality of life for underserved communities worldwide.
Launched on 18 February 2026, the Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans reflects the UAE’s longstanding belief in supporting orphans through an integrated network of families and institutions. The initiative seeks to revive and strengthen waqf as a tool for social development and sustainability, while encouraging broad community participation and supporting a balanced and cohesive society.
To know more about Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans campaign,please visit,