MGYW’S CHAIRPERSON VISITED HOPE ZIA SCHOOL

Every day, girls face barriers to education caused by poverty, cultural norms and practices, poor infrastructure, violence and fragility. Poverty remains the most important factor for determining whether a girl can access an education. Girls’ education goes beyond getting girls into school, it is also about ensuring that girls learn skills to effectively compete in the labor market; learn the socio-emotional and life skills necessary to navigate and adapt to a changing world; make decisions about their own lives; and contribute to their communities and the world.

Pakistani American Forum/Merit Grants for Young Women (MGYW) is a non-profit organization founded in 2000 to promote higher education (beyond basic literacy) among under-privileged young women of Pakistan - regardless of ethnicity, race, province, sect, or religion. It works with MGYW Pakistan to achieve its goals. All MGYW Board members are volunteers and some regularly travel to Pakistan at their own expense to monitor the program.

The Chairperson of MGYW, Farhana Mohamed visited HOPE Zia School of to meet the Head of HOPE Zia School, Miss Aisha Noorani, where they had a discussion regarding the computer and English learning program.  She plans on supporting the young girls at HOPE an NGO in Pakistan, so that they can pursue their dreams.

The needs and all the requirements for computer training labs and English language were discussed, in order to continue its computer and English learning program for young girls.

Current school students are future doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs. So, for the education development, it is really important to teach students in schools about computers, the internet and its benefits. Computer education in schools play an important role in student’s career development and therefore HOPE an Educational NGO in Pakistan understands the importance and is implementing computer classes in its schools.

English Language is another important course; it is one of the most widely spoken and an essential language for interpersonal communication over the globe. It is very essential to lay a strong foundation as in most of the syllabus the lessons be it in any subjects they are being written in English language and henceforth it is important for the student to understand the lessons clearly. Also, if a student wants to go for higher studies in another country, again English is the only language that is worldly accepted as a common mode of communication. Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi, looks forward in a gender equality nation, in which her aim is to empower women for their economic growth.

HOPE HOSPITALS EQUIP ITS STAFF WITH PPE KITS

During infectious disease outbreaks, it is particularly important to take serious precautionary measures to control the spread of the virus infections from person to person. Keeping this in mind HOPE an NGO in Pakistan has understood the significance of the dangers involved while handling patients at their hospitals and has taken a step of precautionary measures to stop the spread of the virus as well as protect their staff and other patients from getting infected by corona. A set of SOPs have been developed and are being implemented in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and does not replace any routine clinical practice already in place at HOPE Hospitals.

The main route of transmission of COVID-19 is through respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  Any person who is in close contact with someone who has respiratory symptoms (e.g., sneezing, coughing, etc.) is at risk of being exposed to potentially infective respiratory droplets.  Droplets may also land on surfaces where the virus could remain viable for several hours to days. Transmission through contact of hands with contaminated surfaces can occur following contact with the person’s mucosa such as nose, mouth and eyes.

Keeping these risks in mind of how corona virus can infect one another HOPE- A Health NGO in Pakistan are providing their staff with PPE gears to protect its hospital staff from getting infected, so that they may continue their services and save more lives.  The PPE Gears provided are as follows:

Medical mask reduce the transfer of saliva and respiratory droplets to others and help block blood and other potentially infectious materials from the skin, mouth, or nose of the wearer.  

Gowns: Non-sterile, long-sleeved hospital gowns are indicated for use for direct care of patients with COVID-19. 

Goggles: Goggles provide protection for the eyes. They fit tightly over and around the eyes to prevent penetration of splashes or sprays. 

Gloves:  To prevent direct human touch on infected objects and surfaces. As well as germs penetrating through sensitive skin. 

Respirators: Provide protection against inhalation of very small infectious airborne particulates indicated for use in patients with COVID-19.

Apart from PPE kits the Hospital is disinfected through sprays every few hours and social distancing between the staff and patients is strictly followed.

According to Dr. Mubiana Agboatwalla – A Child Specialist in Karachi, providing equipment such as gloves, gowns goggles etc. will help in resisting the risk of the hospital staff getting infected and will ensure the health and safety of employees.

AIRLIFT COLLABORATES WITH HOPE FOR RATION DISTRIBUTION

A large size of population in Pakistan is deprived of the basic necessities of life. However, there is a silver lining on the darkening sky in the form of NGO’s like HOPE. HOPE – An NGO in Pakistan has been doing philanthropic activities since the beginning of Ramadan.

Airlift collaborated with HOPE A Health NGO in Pakistan during the initial lockdown stages to provide ration bags for their fleet of drivers. Airlift is an alternative to online taxi services and public transportation in Pakistan, that offers you high quality rides with fixed routes, timings and prices.

Owing to the on-going lock-down in the country; the major difficulty being faced here is by the lower class of our country, since they live hand to mouth and depend upon daily wages. Airlift has a fleet of 500 plus drivers and vans, and due to the lockdown and restrictions on public transport their drivers have no work and are not able to provide for their families.  One solution Airlift initiated towards solving this problem of their drivers was by providing ration bags among their drivers in order to keep their kitchens running.

This step towards this initiative on providing ration bags to their fleet of drivers, will give them a relief during this time of difficulty.  The team at HOPE was enthusiastic to collaborate with Airlift in this philanthropic cause and helping the needy. 

The data base of Airlift drivers was provided to HOPE, which consisted of their names, contact numbers, addresses etc.  Keeping in view of the various locations where the drivers resided; pickup points were allotted by which it could be easier for the drivers to collect their ration bags from the pickup point nearest to them. HOPE contacted each driver personally for the collection of their ration bags.

The ration bags we provide consisted of various items such as milk powder, flour, cooking oil, sugar, pulses, rice and tea leaf which sums up to the basic needs required in any household. The drivers were happy to receive the ration bags, It was a feeling of relief during this hard time.

Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla- A Child Specialist in Karachi , leads HOPE towards achieving greater horizons and drags people out of their misery and sufferings by carrying out such philanthropic activities.

HOPE COLLABORATES WITH STANDARD CHARTERED BANK FOR RATION DISTRIBUTION

In Pakistan, a staggering 60% of the population struggles to find enough food to eat. That’s around 113 million people who cannot rely on getting a regular meal. Sadly, the worst affected are society’s already most vulnerable, including women and children.

With lack of financial stability means, many families worry about where their next meal will be coming from. Whilst many of us enjoy three meals a day, for many families in Pakistan, this is a mere dream. On average, over half of a family’s income is spent on food and 44% of children under the age of five are stunted due to malnutrition.

HOPE - An NGO in Pakistan, along with Standard Chartered collaborated for the distribution of ration bags among poor and deserving families.

Serving a whole better purpose of charity and was a great help to the underprivileged people during this hard time, as job opportunities for daily wagers has come to a halt; and they do not have any resources or savings to sustain on during this lock-down.  

By providing ration bags to these families, it will help keep their kitchens running for some time, until the corona pandemic situation restores to normal again.

As per the number of families we have in our communities; HOPE – A Health NGO in Pakistan distributed ration bags to the low income families, such as labors and daily wagers etc., who are needy and do not have a stagnant source of income during this lockdown period, due to the corona pandemic.

Ration bags were given to approximately 510 plus families. Each family consisting of around 6-8 members and children. These families belong to Rural areas such as Ghaggar,Link Road, Rehri Goth, Kathore, Gadap, Dhabeji, Sachal. As well as katchiabadis like Manzoor Colony, Zia colony, Bilal Colony, Mujahid Colony, Behas Colony, Bhittaiabad. Interior Sindh areas such as Badin, Thatta, Sujawal etc.

The ration bags we provided, consisted of various items such as milk powder, flour, cooking oil, sugar, pulses, rice and tea leaf, which sums up to the basic needs required in any household.

The support provided by Standard Chartered Bank, had a tremendous impact on saving more lives, and restoring happiness in the families of those affected by the shortage of food. These activities were carried out under the supervision of Dr. MubinaAgboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi who is the main pillar behind HOPE.