HOPE ORGANIZES ITS ANNUAL GRAND IFTAR IN COLLABORATION WITH STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

HOPE in collaboration with Standard Chartered Bank, arranged a benevolent iftar event for all the children and students of all the HOPE schools and vocational centers located in Karachi and interior Sindh. The event was not just a fancy iftar dinner; it was the essence of affection and care shown by the teams of Standard Chartered Bank and HOPE - An NGO in Pakistan towards these derived children.

The Iftar venue was located in Korangi and was ready to welcome the students coming from various HOPE schools, (formal and informal both included), and vocational centers located in Bilal Colony, Zia Colony Bhitaiiabad, Sachal Goth, Bhens Colony, Rerhi Goth, and Ghaggar. There were about 1200 students from these schools and vocational centers who attended the event, accompanied by the faculty members. They were seated in long rows. Keeping in view the heat drenching season, pedestal fans were placed after every few meters to keep the students and guests cool.

More than a hundred volunteers from HOPE staff as well as the employees of Standard Chartered Bank, came along to this event. They also helped in serving food to the students and children. The employees of Standard Chartered Bank and the staff of HOPE – A Health NGO in Pakistan mingled up with the children and spent quality time with them. They and started friendly chatter.  The students participated in games and asked them general knowledge questions.

The gathering got excited with the arrival of Chairperson HOPE, Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi. With her energetic hospitable personality, she took a personal interest in making sure everybody was seated and served proper quantity of food. At sunset, everybody broke their fast with dates and savored the delicious food items including samosas, puff pastries, kebabs, spring rolls, brownies, bananas, dates and a variety of sherbets.  The food was more than enough for everyone. Mr. Shahzad Dada, CEO Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan, praised the efforts of HOPE for changing lives of hundreds of less fortunate children by providing education and arranging such a grand iftar event for them.

After prayers, Dr. Mubina the Chairperson of HOPE distributed Eid clothes and gifts among the children. The delight which reflected from their eyes upon receiving such pretty Eid clothes, which they could not afford otherwise. The event ended with dinner in which mouthwatering chicken biryani was served to the happy students. Then the children lined up again to board their respective buses to go back to their respective schools and onwards to their homes. The day end with a lot of happiness and memories to cherish. The students and volunteers will forever remember this occasion.