Since 2017
Yahya Foundation's mission is to support Yemen's children.
Right now, Yemen is suffering the world's worst humanitarian crisis and the current famine is set to be the worst in 100 years. But at Yahya Foundation, we don't want to focus on the sad statistics. We want to focus on the good — that's why we plan, fundraise and execute projects to provide assistance and make children smile.
Transparency
We track every donation and ask our partners on the ground to provide photo and video evidence after deliveries. This way we can keep supporters updated on social media, and you can see the faces of the people your donations help.
Local Partnerships
We believe in supporting Yemen's local businesses, which is why we buy the supplies for each project from local tradesmen. By doing this, we support the economy of the area and create a positive knock-on effect.
Work Small
As much as possible, we ensure your donation is given to people in need. To do this, we work in a small team and manage most projects via volunteers here and in Yemen. The only expense your donation is shared with is a 10% admin fee to cover logistics, software and marketing.
Why Yahya?
Yahya Foundation was named after Hussein Yahya Ali, who taught his family how to love, be generous and think about others before oneself.
Hussein Yahya Ali was an orphan from Yemen. He did not receive any formal education and, at a young age, travelled by ship to East Africa. After several difficult years, he found himself the successful owner of a garment business in Uganda with his wife. Unfortunately, in 1972, they found themselves exiled from Uganda.
Starting over in a new land, the couple made their way to Canada and took jobs working long hours in factories. Eventually, Hussein bought a laundromat and dry-cleaning business, and with his passion for business made it a success for him and his family.
Despite all of this, he never forgot his homeland of Yemen, and would regularly visit with his wife to help those in need. It became a tradition for Hussein, his wife and children to visit Yemen every Ramadhan to give their zakat (charity) and sadaqa money by hand to those who needed it most. He would visit orphanages to ensure every child had money for Eid, and drop in to hospitals to make sure patients had enough to cover their medical bills.
It was through his generosity, compassion and the gentle kiss on the forehead to the young and old alike that became his trademark — and is what Yahya Foundation wants to pay forward to those in need, in honour of his legacy.