In the early hours of Saturday, the motorsport community mourned the loss of a vibrant talent and humanitarian soul, 24-year-old Emirati drag racer Hamda Taryam Matar Taryam. Known for blazing trails as one of the first Emirati drag racers, Taryam’s legacy extends far beyond the racetrack.
Featured prominently on the Netflix show The Fastest, Taryam’s prowess on the drag strip captured the imagination of audiences worldwide.However, the late athlete’s impact transcended the adrenaline-fueled world of racing. At the tender age of 21, she laid the foundation for the Hamda Foundation, a testament to her commitment to making a positive difference in the world. The foundation’s initiatives ranged from building wells and schools to establishing a hospital for orphans in the Ugandan town of Masaka.
In March 2022, Tayram’s dedication to education and empowerment took a significant stride with the announcement of the Hamda Vocational and Social Institute during the Emirates Custom Show exhibition. This institute, based in Uganda’s Maska region, aims to provide free professional training to orphaned students, equipping them with the skills necessary for the labor market.
The Taryam School project, a precursor to the institute, has already provided free education to 350 male and female students at all levels. The racer’s vision of empowering the less fortunate extended to healthcare as well, with the foundation successfully completing a non-profit hospital project in the city, costing over 800,000 AED. Since its inception on Nov. 11, 2020, the hospital has provided free medical care to approximately 300,000 patients and facilitated 5,000 births.
In an interview with Khaleej Times last year, Taryam shared her profound joy in witnessing the children, many of them orphans, attending the school she built – realizing that she was, in essence, their only family.
In a poignant gesture of support, Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, announced a grant of one million AED through the Sharjah Charitable Society on Sunday. This contribution is aimed at furthering the noble projects initiated by Taryam in Uganda, ensuring that her philanthropic endeavors continue to flourish.
Though she may have left the racetrack, her legacy as a trailblazing drag racer and compassionate philanthropist will live on.
