On September 20, 2026, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and humanitarian envoy for the Big Heart Foundation, concluded his charitable visit to Indonesia, marking a pivotal moment in the foundation’s strategy to expand its humanitarian and developmental partnerships in South and Southeast Asia.
Empowering Women in Coffee Farming
During his visit, Sheikh Sultan toured a coffee farm in Central Java supported by the Namaa Foundation for Women’s Empowerment. He met with a group of women involved in the programme, learning about efforts to equip approximately 2,800 women with essential skills and knowledge to boost their participation in the coffee farming sector. He observed the coffee-picking process and inspected the quality of the harvested beans.
Sheikh Sultan had the opportunity to sample various coffee blends from the farm, while learning about the roasting, grinding, and preparation processes. He listened attentively to the women sharing insights about the training programmes designed to enhance their livelihoods, strengthen economic resilience, and help them access more sustainable income streams. The initiative also includes educating them on advanced agricultural practices, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, market access, and leadership opportunities.
Community-Oriented Development Strategies
Sheikh Sultan was briefed on the support provided by Namaa, which extends its approach of collaborating with local partners who possess a deep understanding of the communities they serve. This ensures that women’s empowerment initiatives are grounded in local realities and contribute to building sustainable skills, opportunities, and capacities.
The foundation aims not only to boost the women’s participation in economic and community life but also to empower them to contribute significantly to the development of their families and communities. Sheikh Sultan highlighted the challenges women face in entering the coffee sector and progressing within its value chain, underlining how training, improved agricultural practices, financial inclusion, and enhanced market access can lead to more sustainable livelihoods, positively impacting their families and the wider agricultural communities.
Furthermore, the Big Heart Foundation is committed to strengthening support for coffee farmers by planning future expansions, such as integrated factories that could potentially double the income of women working in these farms.
Housing Initiatives in Gunung Kidul
Concluding his visits in Indonesia, Sheikh Sultan also engaged with the “One House for Every House” initiative launched by Arada in collaboration with the Big Heart Foundation. This programme, executed on the ground by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, aims to provide safe housing and basic infrastructure improvements to several families. Sheikh Sultan interacted with beneficiaries to gauge the impact that safe housing and access to water have on enhancing living conditions and fostering stability.
Sheikh Sultan toured several homes allocated to families, observing how these houses provide a suitable living environment that supports their stability and allows them to improve their economic conditions. This initiative aims to foster self-reliance and ensure a more sustainable future for the families involved.
Representatives from Habitat for Humanity presented a visual overview of the institution’s work and its approach to housing issues within a broader context, outlining plans to construct 250 new homes in Gunung Kidul, including modifications to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This initiative will benefit over 3,700 residents and ensure the necessary infrastructure for potable water access while implementing community capacity-building activities.
Ongoing Humanitarian Efforts
The Big Heart Foundation continues to galvanise humanitarian efforts, extending support to refugees and those in need worldwide through direct engagement with communities and understanding their priorities. By establishing partnerships based on field knowledge and local expertise, the foundation has provided assistance to over six million beneficiaries across more than 37 countries since its inception. The initiatives have a total value exceeding 350 million dirhams, covering key sectors such as education, healthcare, livelihood enhancement, emergency response, and protection, ultimately empowering the most vulnerable populations to build a more stable and sustainable future.