Philanthropy

Philanthropy has played a significant role throughout Abeer Al Otaiba’s personal and professional life. Abeer is committed to addressing the real issues surrounding gender equality, health, and education, with a mission to give back and empower women and children living in impoverished communities worldwide.

“To me, the most meaningful part of life is how we treat others and do what we can to make the world a better place.”

– ABEER Al OTAIBA, EMIRATES WOMAN

Charitable Causes for Children

Children’s National Medical Center

In 2014, Abeer and Yousef Al Otaiba joined Bret and Amy Baier as co-chairs of the Children’s National Medical Center’s annual Children’s Ball. Inspired by the support they received during their daughter’s life-threatening medical emergency, the Al Otaiba family is determined to give back to the hospital that saved their daughter’s life. The 2014 Gala Ball raised $10.9 million, making it one of the most successful charity events in Washington D.C.

“[The Al Otaibas] have done so much to help children in Washington and throughout the world, and their impact just continues to grow.”

Kurt Newman, MD

Children’s National

In 2015, Yousef and Abeer were awarded the Joseph E. Robert Jr. Prize in Philanthropy, an honor presented to donors who have endured a personal experience at the Children’s National Medical Center.

Hope for Henry Foundation

Abeer Al Otaiba serves as the Honorary Chair of the Board of Directors for the Hope for Henry Foundation. Through the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C, this non-profit organization is reinventing how hospitals care for pediatric patients facing serious or life-threatening illnesses. The foundation creates innovative programs that provide comfort, ease anxieties and reduce stress for both children and their families. These programs include entertainment, birthday parties, events, and visits by notable celebrities, authors, and athletes in order to provide hope and create a stress-free environment for those facing difficult circumstances.

Empowering Women Worldwide

SemSem

Abeer Al Otaiba is the Founder and Creative Director of SemSem, a handmade luxury fashion brand devoted to celebrating women and girls through fashion design.

Philanthropy is at the heart of her brand, which partners with a different charity organization each season to benefit women and children in underprivileged communities. In 2016, Abeer’s debut collection featured The Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women (ADEW), a nonprofit organization committed to the education, safety, and empowerment of mothers and children in Egypt.

SemSem specifically selected ADEW’s Girls Dream’s Program and the House of Eve Shelter for Abused Women to build an orphanage and sponsor three schools in the local area. Additional charities have included Women for Women International, Every Mother Counts, Angele.H International, Nation of Dolls, and the International Rescue Committee.

“SemSem is linked to a social mission of investing and supporting women and girls from how we source our fabrics and sew our garments to investing profits back into organisations that are making a difference.”

– ABEER Al OTAIBA, aeworld