A moving video captured at the launch event of Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives' (MBRGI) annual report took social media by storm this week.
The footage shows the moment 9-year-old Mahina Ghaniva, a Tajikistani child who underwent successful heart surgeries under MBRGI, thanked Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed for his support. After the speech at the event, the little girl was called down the stage and hugged it out with the royal.
Ghaniva had suffered from a congenital heart disease and needed several surgeries to make a full recovery. She is one of 70 million people who have been supported by initiatives under MBRGI.
Addressing people at the event, Ghaniva expressed how grateful she was to Dubai's ruler.
"I want to thank Sheikh Mohammed and his foundation for helping me. I am feeling better now and I am very happy," she said.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, the little girl said she was thrilled to visit the UAE.
"When I came to the UAE, I saw photos of all of the sheikhs and I wanted to know who they are. This country really helped me and I am very grateful," she added.
"Proud of 660 employees and over 100,000 volunteers who helped us change the lives of millions of people for the better in 2018 in countries around the world," Sheikh Mohammed said at the event.
"We seek to create a new hope in our Arab world, improve people's lives, deliver a message and establish a new culture of human work in our societies," he added.
Sheikh Mohammed's foundation has benefited millions
Launched in 2015, MBRGI embodies Sheikh Mohammed's "vision to improve the Arab world through humanitarian, developmental and community work."
The organization's main aims include providing humanitarian aid and relief, spreading education and knowledge, developing healthcare and disease control systems, advancing innovation and Entrepreneurship, in addition to empowering communities.
"Total expenditure in 2018 was Dhs1.5 billion benefiting 70 million people in 86 countries around the world," Gulf Today reported.