A new initiative in collaboration with Dana Al Sharif and Charity Schools seeks to demonstrate the power of design in shaping positive social impact

Collaborative Workshop & Awareness Initiative
In collaboration with Dana Al Sharif and Charity Schools (https://www.charityschools.com)

Purpose
To raise awareness about the vital role of design in social impact and community development, bridging the gap between creative professionals and underserved communities. The initiative will spotlight how thoughtful design can uplift, educate, and empower individuals-especially in remote or disadvantaged areas-through architecture, space-making, and aesthetic interventions.

Concept
Design for Dignity is a hands-on workshop inviting designers, students, and enthusiasts to collaborate on real community challenges sourced from projects supported by Charity Schools-including schools in remote areas of the UAE and beyond. Participants will brainstorm, conceptualize, and propose small-scale interventions such as:

  • Activity or learning pavilions
  • Playground and landscape enhancements
  • Aesthetic upgrades for school façades and fences
  • Modular furniture and shading prototypes

These design outputs aim to become fundraising assets—concepts that can attract donors, sponsors, collaborators for future implementation.

Objectives

  1. Promote empathy-driven design thinking in the creative community.
  2. Offer visibility to Charity Schools’ ongoing educational and social initiatives.
  3. Engage the public in social responsibility through the lens of design and architecture.
  4. Create tangible, replicable models for future social design projects.

Partnership & Collaboration
The initiative will be co-led by Dana Al Sharif, an active volunteer and advocate of Charity Schools, who brings firsthand insight into community needs and local challenges. Zaro Architects will guide the creative and organizational framework, providing design mentorship, workshop curation, and overall narrative structure.