Get Involved - Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race

Run for a Cause – Help Protect Children

By taking part in the race, not only do you get to excel as a participant and test your endurance, but you also get to raise awareness and contribute towards a social cause. The race is dedicated to help protect children.

Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race is the largest race held in the Maldives, bringing together people and communities from all over the country. The race acts as a significant platform for NGOs to create awareness and raise funds for the cause.

How it Helps

Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race is held in collaboration with our partner NGOs working in the area of child protection.

At the time of registration, runners have the opportunity to nominate an NGO from the list of our endorsed, partner NGOs. Dhiraagu will contribute a total of MVR 200,000 (Maldivian Rufiyaa Two Hundred Thousand only) equally between the top five NGOs nominated by the runners (MVR 40,000 (Maldivian Rufiyaa Forty Thousand only) to each of the top 5 nominated NGOs). This special grant is awarded to help NGOs kick-start their planned activities. In addition to this, MVR 100 from each participant registration and all proceeds from special bib numbers will be raised for donation and distributed equally amongst all our endorsed NGOs.

At the day of the event, registered NGOs will have the opportunity to utilise the stalls which will be provided to conduct awareness sessions and engage with the public.

Partner NGOs

Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC)

Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) stands as a beacon of hope for the children of the Maldives. Established in December 2009, this non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-profit organization is committed to safeguarding and promoting the rights and well-being of every child in the Maldives.

At the core of ARC’s initiatives are transformative campaigns conducted nationwide, extending from urban cities to the most remote islands. With a holistic approach, ARC strives to address the diverse needs of children, emphasizing crucial aspects such as education, healthcare, protection, and empowerment. Through collaborative efforts with local communities, governmental bodies, and international partners, ARC endeavors to establish a foundation where children can thrive in an environment that champions their rights.

As advocates for children’s rights, ARC envisions a society where each child’s potential is not only realized but also celebrated, paving the way for a generation characterized by resilience, compassion, and limitless possibilities.

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Blind and Visually Impaired Society of Maldives (BVISM)

Blind & Visually Impaired Society of Maldives (BVISM) is a non-profit organisation formed on 26 January 2010. Our aim is to empower the blind and visually impaired and help them achieve their full potential within Islamic values.

We received our first NGO award in 2019 by Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services for the “Most Active Association in the Maldives” in the disability sector.

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Cancer Society of Maldives (CSM)

Cancer Society of Maldives (CSM) is a national community-based (non-profit/non-governmental) organisation formed for the purpose of reducing the incidence and impact of cancer in the Maldives. We aim to contribute towards the wellbeing of our community by creating awareness about cancer, providing support, and circulating information and resources so as to enhance the experience of people fighting against cancer. It is one of our top priorities to conduct cancer research and to create a cancer screening database in the Maldives.

Care Society

Since its inception in November 1998, Care Society has remained true to its cause of addressing the disability issues in the Maldives and continues working towards providing equal opportunities for people with disabilities (PWDs) and working towards achieving an inclusive society.

As disability is an area that requires support, commitment, and involvement directly from all members of the community, we have been working towards educating and creating awareness among the general public. Our team is extremely passionate about the positive contribution PWDs can make to the community if given the proper support and opportunities by all community sectors, NGOs, public, private sector, and government authorities.

So far numerous programs, as well as projects have been carried out working towards our mission, and one of the most significant initiatives is the opening of Care Development Center (CDC) which is a rehabilitation center operating under Care Society for the past 18 years. The main purpose of CDC is to provide rehabilitation services to PWDs enrolled at the center. CDC is now registered as a school effective from 13th March 2012, under the Ministry of Education with students enrolled from 0 to 35 years. Care Society has a total of over 700 registered cases of PWDs and CDC assists children and adults to develop their abilities in a variety of skills like social, self-help, communication, motor skills, academic skills and behavior modification.

Additionally, Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program is another initiative incepted by us, to extend our services to the atolls and islands as most of the services required for PWDs are still centralized in Male’. For us to achieve an inclusive society, where people with disabilities are accepted as equal citizens, it is vital to collaborate with different stakeholders of the community. Furthermore, for Care Society, like any other NGO, the biggest challenge we face is sustaining and catering to the growing demand due to financial limitations. Hence, in this regard, we are reaching out to stakeholders from all sectors, to explore potential collaboration in terms of program, fund raising activity or provision of any financial assistance (attached is our proposal for the same). We believe that involvement from all stakeholders will greatly enhance our efforts and provide additional opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

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Child Abuse Prevention Society (CAPS)

CAPS was formed on 16 July 2009. The main cause of forming CAPS was to prevent the increasing amount of child abuse cases and the murder case of young children as well as newborn babies. Our target is to make people aware on how to work against child abuse and to cooperate with the societies and the government to prevent the habit of child abuse. Total number of 1580 members are registered at our NGO at the moment and there is an active six youth members as the board members.

Diabetes Society of Maldives (DSM)

Diabetes Society of Maldives (DSM) was established on 26 April 2000 and became a member of International Diabetes Federation in 2002, with the aim of creating awareness among the public on diabetes and to emphasise on the importance of prevention of diabetes and to help patients lead a normal life with their condition.

DSM clinic (a free clinic established in 2004) provides routine services to the registered patients – blood sugar monitoring, consultation, diabetes education, foot screening, screen for diabetic complications and referral to specialist consultations, directing exercise and counselling classes.

DSM also acts as a centre of information on diabetes by educating the community through screening programmes, presentations, and health Education. In addition, DSM works to improve diabetes care throughout the country.

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Maldives Association of Persons with Disabilities (MAPD)

Maldives Association of Persons with Disabilities. “MAPD” is a Disabled Peoples Organization (DPO) /NGO. Registered in Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts. in 15th April 2013, registration number: T/2013/31/16 to work and advocate for the betterment of Persons/Children with disabilities. MAPD aims to provide equal opportunity in health rights, education, employment, and provide protection to children with disabilities, as enjoyed by all children. MAPD also aims to create awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities as well as on the challenges facing the children with disabilities on areas such as health, education, accessibility, employment, and other areas of interest for those children and their caregivers. With the UN sustainable development Goals. “SDGs” “Leave no one behind”. MAPD also aims to provide competitive sporting opportunities for children with disabilities in association with Dhiraagu, Maldives Paralympic Committee, Asian Paralympic Committee & International Paralympic Committee. “IPC”.

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Maldives Autism Association (MAA)

Maldives Autism Association (MAA) was established on 21st January 2010, dedicated to cater to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). MAA has since been actively engaged in creating awareness, building capacity and providing diagnostic and therapeutic services for children as young as 18months up-to 13 years of age, helping them overcome the challenges they face as children with special needs.

For the past 14 years, MAA has played a pivotal role, as a dedicated NGO, in providing an array of multidisciplinary services to the community of children with ASD and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders, their caregivers and professionals working in the field.

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Maldivian Thalassaemia Society (MTS)

Maldivian Thalassaemia Society is an NGO active since 1994, founded to address the crucial need of a support system for the thalassaemia community of Maldives.

Since its inception, MTS has been a leading figure in implementing various programs and activities for the thalassaemia patients and parents to bring meaningful impact in patient lives. MTS also is a leading voice in advocating for a quality life for all patients.

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Moms Aid

MOMS Aid is a national charity that works with women living in poverty. We are committed to ending violence and fighting poverty so that all women in our society can create the future they want. Our mission is to guide and motivate women across the Maldives, towards a society where domestic abuse will not be tolerated and women can live free from the threat of violence and poverty.

Society for Health Education (SHE)

Society for Health Education (SHE) is a non-governmental organization that is proactive in identifying and addressing crucial health and social concerns in the Maldives. It was founded in 1988 by four women with the mission to enhance the quality of life of Maldivian families.

With over 35 years in service, SHE continues to provide interventions in four main thematic areas, sexual reproductive health services, counseling and psycho-social support services, thalassaemia- related services, and health promotion and well-being.

The organization is committed to continuing these initiatives and expanding public awareness of the factors that affect family well-being.

Effectiveness of health promotion initiatives are ensured by adopting applicable service delivery mechanisms, fostering improvements in reproductive health parameters, continuing Thalassemia prevention activities, promoting responsible parenthood concepts, facilitating empowerment of women and youth, supporting victims of abuse by providing gender based violence screening services, essential SRH services and psychosocial support and referral services, as well as extending Counselling to adolescents and families, and encouraging community ownership of development.

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Tiny Hearts of Maldives

Tiny Hearts of Maldives (THM)is a non-profit organisation established in memory of Keyaan, the beautiful first born son of Ali Muaz and Fathimath Hishmath Faiz, the founders of this NGO. Keyaan was born with a congenital heart condition, which resulted in his untimely death at the tender age of 2 and half months. Nurturing the experiences to prevent other families experiencing the same kind of suffering that they had to endure, keyaan's courageous parents along with family and close friends found Tiny Hearts of Maldives on 8th July 2009.

Vision of the organisation is working towards a heart healthy population where cardio vascular diseases are prevented and individuals with Congenital Heart Disease and their families are empowered, supported and provided with timely and quality healthcare.

There are three major areas of work tiny hearts have been working toward;
1. Save a Tiny Heart
2. Care for Tiny Heart
3. Healthy Heart

These three programs provide advocacy towards promoting a healthy community,
providing financial support for patients requiring care and treatment for congenital heart disease and facilitate capacity building of healthcare workers. We proudly is a member of World Heart Federation since 2017.

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NGO Pledges

Moms Aid

Through a series of key programs, we pledge to support children from families living below the poverty line by providing essential supplies, ensuring access to education through school necessities, advocating for children's legal protections, strengthening family relationships, fostering healing through creative expression, and promoting active community engagement. By committing to these goals, we reaffirm our dedication to ensuring every child’s safety, protection, and well-being. We believe that by uniting our efforts, we can create a nurturing environment where all children have the opportunity to flourish.

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Tiny Hearts of Maldives

We pledge to continue our Save a Tiny Heart project, which supports families needing care and treatment for Congenital Heart Disease, including prenatal care and assistance with planned deliveries. Additionally, we will continue our Healthy Heart Programme to promote the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles, with a special focus on children and the general population.

Maldivian Thalassemia Society

Our efforts to improve the lives of children with Thalassaemia include empowering them through educational programs, building their confidence to lead a life comparable to their peers through life-skills programmes, promoting their mental and social well-being through psychosocial support, and assisting with their treatment and medical needs. Additionally, we pledge to advocate on their behalf, for their right to a quality life

Society for Health Education (SHE)

We are committed to carrying out comprehensive Child Protection initiatives, including workshops and awareness sessions aimed at ensuring safety of children and strengthening stakeholder capacity. Our goal is to empower parents and teachers to recognize and prevent child abuse and neglect through specialized awareness sessions. We also address bullying by conducting sessions tailored for students, teachers, and parents. Furthermore, we will promote health and family well-being across the islands, with a focus on mental health, psychosocial support, internet safety, and adolescent health.

Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC)