HOPE SPREADS HAPPINESS AMONG THE STUDENTS AT KASHMIR

Azad Jammu and Kashmir, abbreviated as AJK and colloquially referred to as simply Azad Kashmir, Azad Kashmir, established in 1947 after the partition of India, is neither a province nor an agency of Pakistan, but has a government of its own that is regarded by Pakistan as “independent,” even though it is protected by and economically and administratively linked to Pakistan. It has an area of approximately 650 square miles (1,680 square km)

Azad Jammu and Kashmir is a mountainous area comprising of various districts, located in the northern areas of Pakistan. These areas are underdeveloped and in much need of educational and proper health care facilities. On the other hand, illiteracy here has a drastically high ratio and if and educational institutions exist, the harsh weather makes it impossible to reach there.

In order to cater to this situation HOPE - An Educational NGO in Pakistan, has extend a helping hand towards the deserving community of Kashmir, by establishing formal and informal Schools at multiple point throughout AJK. Some of the schools are till tenth grade while the others are Primary Schools.

HOPE’s team visited the schools of Gharidupatta on the 25^th of January in order to monitor its operations and functions. The visits include distribution of various gift items such as school bags, pencil boxes, jeans pants, cotton pants, uppers. The Teacher were given warm shawls. Furthermore, food items such as biryani and juice were given to the students and teachers. Such gestures encourage the children and make them feel loved. The team interacts with the students and teachers to learn more about them.

HOPE – An NGO in Pakistan, reaches out to all those who no one reaches out to. These schools are giving free and quality education to the poor children, who cannot even afford to have a sweater or a single pair of jeans to prevent themselves from cold even in extreme weather. Hence, each year HOPE's team under the supervision of Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi, visits the schools in Kashmir and distributes food items as well as warm clothing to the poor children studying there.