Mr PNC Menon, Founder and Chairman of Sobha Group, a leading premium real estate developer in UAE and India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Al Rahma Association of Motherhood and Childhood in Muscat to contribute OMR 9.6 million, on April 16, 2023. PNC Menon, Chairman of Sobha Group signed the MoU, with Ms. Sana Abdulrahman AlKhanjari, Chairwoman of Al Rahma Association of Motherhood and Childhood Welfare, which states that the generous contribution will be made over the next 10 years, beginning in 2023, to build 300 homes for orphans and needy families.
The latest MoU demonstrates PNC Menon’s philanthropic efforts, which have positively affected the lives of many, with half of his wealth committed to charitable causes. The alliance is particularly significant as Mr. Menon began his entrepreneurial journey in Oman, designing and building palaces, royal facilities, and mosques, including the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and he and his family were granted Omani citizenship in 1995 by then Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
The association seeks to provide a better life for orphans and underprivileged families registered with it, by implementing the SAS project which aims to provide suitable housing for them. The project was launched on December 12, 2022, and involved cooperation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to provide land for those who do not have a suitable home, as well as for those who live in rented accommodation or in old and dilapidated houses. The project aims to help the target group by establishing integrated housing complexes (where land is available), or by building separate houses for those who will be given land or for those who own unconstructed land or a dilapidated house. The building area for each dwelling will be 200 square meters, and the cost of building each house will not exceed OMR 35,000.
Commenting on the MoU, PNC Menon stated: “Having started my business in Oman in 1976, I have the utmost respect for the country. I have therefore always cherished the idea of making the greatest possible contribution to the nation. I am truly elated to contribute to the construction of 300 homes in Oman over the next ten years for orphans and needy families. Through this initiative, I look forward to providing financial, as well as non-financial support to the less fortunate members of the Omani society and aid them in raising their living standards.”
Ms. Sana Abdulrahman AlKhanjari, Chairwoman of Al Rahma Association of Motherhood and Childhood Welfare, stated: “The association sponsors more than 1,600 orphans from various governorates of the Sultanate and around 600 underprivileged families on a monthly basis, in addition to 1,700 families on a seasonal basis (aid is provided to them during Ramadan and holidays). The association aims, through aid programs provided to the underprivileged, to provide them with a decent life using all available means. Hence, the SAS project was launched to build homes for orphans and needy families registered with the association on December 12, 2022. Priority in construction is given to the most needy group, and they have been classified as land-owning and landless families.”
“Therefore, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning was contacted to provide land for the needy who do not own land under the government grant system. The Ministry is now working on completing the procedures for granting lands to the list of families that have been selected by us, as well as those that will be selected to be among the recipients of assistance in building a house for the first phase of the project’s life. The association appreciates the generous sponsorship of PNC Menon – the founder and chairman of the Sobha Group, who expressed his sincere desire to support the construction of 300 homes over the next ten years. His sincere love for the Sultanate of Oman contributed and will contribute to bringing joy to the hearts of dozens of underprivileged families registered in the association. We offer our sincere thanks and appreciation,” she added.
Al Rahma Association of Motherhood and Childhood Welfare offers moral, financial, and in-kind support to underprivileged families and children, in addition to educational and recreational services to encourage academic growth. The latest MoU will enable the institution to build homes for families in need, while also demonstrating Mr PNC Menon’s commitment to social responsibility.
