HOPES APPROACH TOWARDS INSTALLING HANDPUMPS IN THE RURAL AREAS OF PAKISTAN.

Water scarcity is a major issue in many areas of Pakistan. Either the area is a desert or rough barren mountains. Neither drinking water nor water for bathing or washing is available. People need to travel miles to get water. In the culture of Pakistan, women are the ones who travel to get the water. With earthen pots on their heads. Water is not available for cooking or drinking. HOPE - An NGO in Pakistan is very much aware of this problem and is striving its best to sort the issue in the areas where water scarcity is an issue.

To combat this problem, HOPE installs hand pumps in the remote areas.  These hand pumps are installed in desert areas as well as barren mountainous terrain.  The hand pumps go down nearly 200 to 250 feet deep. Before installing the hand pumps, a survey of the area is done to make sure that the ground water is not hard water but rather drinkable sweet water. Needs assessment of the area is done and community is taken into confidence. A community based committee is formed to look after the maintenance of the hand pump.

The whole process takes around 6-8 weeks. Once the hand pump is installed the people happily use the water not only for drinking purposes but also bathing, cooking and washing. The women are spared the ordeal of travelling by foot miles and miles daily to collect the water. They can utilize this time more profitably. Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi, personally supervises the installation of hand pumps.

HOPE – A Health NGO in Pakistan, till date has installed 63 hand pumps all over Pakistan from the mountainous terrain in the north, to the barren plateau of Balochistan and the deserts of Thar and Cholistan. In some areas, instead of traditional hand pumps, electric motors are used to pump out the water. There is dire need for hand pumps all over Pakistan as water shortage becomes more important.

SOLAR ENERGY - A NEW ASPIRATION FOR THE RURAL SLUMS OF KARACHI

Electrical Energy is the basic necessity for the economic development of a country. People use electricity for basic needs like lights, fans, charging phones etc.

Asia Petroleum Limited, along with collaboration of HOPE – A Health NGO in Pakistan has installed Solar Panels in the areas of Kachra Kundi and Umer Goth, Karachi. These solar panels convert solar energy into electricity. This is one of the major issues which has been existing in these areas since a long time, which no one have ever taken any step in solving these issues.  

Solar panels can run for about 20 years and are an efficient, effective and sustainable form of energy. HOPE along with Asia Petroleum Limited have taken this initiative of working positively to impact as many houses possible by providing a brighter life for the people living in rural slums.

By providing a source of electricity these impoverished communities, will benefit a thousand folds through this blessing. People will not suffer in the heat, houses will not be dark, other house work, the streets will be illuminated through which people do not have to travel in the dark, shops will be lighted.  In the shorter, dark days of winter, they do not have to leave early to have light on their way home.

HOPE - An NGO in Pakistan diligently tries to assist the underprivileged communities who are neglected and have no support.

Under the vigorous leadership of Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi, most of the organization’s activities are focused primarily on the rural and urban slum areas of Pakistan. HOPE works extensively to provide quality education, health services and other basic necessities of life free of cost to the underprivileged masses.

Electricity is a basic facility of life. By providing electricity to these people, together we can provide a better, brighter future for the people of Pakistan.

 

MUBASHIR: AN UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENT AT HOPE ZIA SCHOOL

This is the story of Mubashir Naseer, whose family is living a life below poverty line. Mubashir’s father Naseer Akhter had died during his child hood and his mother is disabled, due to which the family has faced a lot of hardships and are struggling hard in order to make ends meet.

Mubashir is a student of HOPE Zia School in class 9; he has three siblings, from which his elder sister has already completed her matric from HOPE Zia School, while 2 of his brothers are currently students of class 9 in the school.

Keeping in view their financial condition, the tuition fees and other educational supplies related costs have been sponsored by HOPE – An Educational NGO in Pakistan. They have been studying since nursery. HOPE has never charged a single penny from these students in all these years.

Mubashir and his family live in a rented house in Zia Colony. The way they are coping with life is a real challenge. One sister of Mubashir is currently teaching in a school, through which she is able to generate a source of income to support the family. This was possible through the support of HOPE - An Educational NGO in Pakistan.

Mubashir has the ambition of perusing his education further in the field of medical and looks forward to becoming an Eye Specialist. He wishes to sponsor the education of more under privileged students in the future. This is how the circle of life goes on; we help others without any expectations and will receive help from strangers in the most unexpected ways, when we feel the most helpless. HOPE has decided to sponsor the future education of Mubasshir by supporting in his studies through college and beyond through a scholarship programme.

Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi, monitors the progress of each of her school very closely, and encourages the education of such children who have high ambitions in life, but cannot afford school fees. Such students can be made capable enough of getting a respectable job and earing an income that could improve the conditions of their family.

Maternal and Child Health Services in the mountains

Health service delivery in the mountains is an extremely difficult issue. The areas are remote, and roads are no good. Health care facilities are nearly nonexistent.  Maternal deaths are very common due to pregnancy related complications. It is very difficult to take a bleeding, pregnant woman to a health facility down the hill. To address the health issues of mothers and children HOPE- Health NGO in Pakistan decided to set up a Maternal and Child Health Centre in Chikaar, a mountainous town at a height of 5000 feet, nearly two half hours away from the city of Muzaffarabad.

The space for the MCH Centre is being provided by the community on a voluntary basis. The Government of AJK, Health Department is collaborating with HOPE - An NGO in Pakistan towards this end. This health facility will provide the much needed health care in the area. Antenatal Care for pregnant mothers, early referral of precious pregnancies, treatment of anaemia, growth monitoring and nutritional advice for children. Intravenous rehydration for diarrhea cases. Early management of childhood pneumonia, to prevent mortality due to respiratory infections. 

Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla, Child Specialist in Karachi has the vision to set up such MCH Centers throughout the country, so as to provide health care in remote areas where there are no health facilities. The Chikaar MCHC Centre a collaborative effort between HOPE, the local community and the Government of AJK will go a long way in reducing maternal and Child Mortality.

HOPE ESTABLISHES AN MCH CENTER AT MUZAFFARABAD

Basic health care refers to the essential health care made accessible to individuals in a community at a cost which they can afford.

HOPE – A Health NGO in Pakistan has strongly emphasized on the concept of primary health care that focuses more on the importance of community participation by identifying some of the basic health needs required by the people living in the society based on economical factors. It includes the basic facilities required for meeting one’s everyday health care needs like conducting a regular checkup, maternity and child health care, basic OPD facilities. 

The medical infrastructure and the healthcare facilities’ in Azad Jammu and Kashmir are insufficient as compared to the ratio of its population. Hence after the establishment of an MCH in Korangi, Karachi. HOPE – An NGOin Pakistan has set up a new MCH center in Muzaffarabad, through the blessings and funding’s of its donors. 

HOPE MCH at Muzaffarabad is another maternal and child healthcare center where the primary motive is to provide medical services free of cost to the poor and needy. The area of Muzaffarabad is a mountainous area where there are barely any roads or real estates. People barely have access to hospitals and clinics nearby within their reach. Hence this MCH will serve as a blessing to all those areas near this clinic. Hence HOPE is the first to establish an MCH Center, which is highly needed by the people of this area.

This MCH is free of cost like every other MCH of HOPE. It is operated by a qualified Lady Health Visitor (LHV), a dispenser and a maid. Treatment for men, women and children are being provided free of cost. HOPE MCH at Muzaffarabad is a ray of light for such an underdeveloped area.

It has been just 3 weeks since the MCH at Muzaffarabad started and so far it has been doing quite well. Approximately 25-30 OPD and general patients visit this MCH on daily basis, and the number of patients per day is increasing with every passing day. The patients of that area spread their positive experience about our MCH among their relatives and friends circle, which increases awareness through which more patients can benefit.

The organization is spearheaded by the dynamic leadership of Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi who continuously strives to improve the health inequality of the needy communities in Pakistan.

Measles Rubella Vaccination campaign in HOPE Schools

Vaccination is extremely important for prevention of diseases specially in children. HOPE a Health NGO in Pakistan gives special importance to health in school children. In this context, through the health department the measles rubella vaccination was initiated in the HOPE schools. Measles is extremely contagious and can lead to a number complications including malnutrition, pneumonia, encephalitis etc. Similiarly Rubella known as German measles can lead to congenital anomalies in future children. Thus, the measles rubella vaccination is an important campaign. Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla- Child Specialist in Karachi is very keen to be part of all national health campaigns.

In all the HOPE schools, all children were vaccinated against measles and rubella using the MR vaccine. A team of doctors and vaccinators visited the schools. HOPE schools Zia Colony, HOPE School Thatta and HOPE  school Muzaffargarh. Parental consent was taken for vaccination. The children were all prepared and lined up for vaccination. The health workers in collaboration with the teachers methodically vaccinated the children class by class. Most children specially in the lower classes were crying when the vaccine was administered. The older children were more compliant. Vaccination was quickly and efficiently completed in all the centers. Thus, HOPE NGO in Pakistan made sure that the poor children studying in the HOPE Schools are fully vaccinated.

CELEBRATIONS OF EID-E-MILAD UN NABI AT HOPE

Streets across Pakistan turned festive as the faithful celebrated Eid-e-MiladunNabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with religious zeal and fervor.

The 12th Rabi-ul-Awal marks the birth of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon him). 

Government buildings, streets, houses, shopping malls, and mosques were decorated beautifully with lights and buntings, as the youth and children did fireworks and marched in rallies wearing colorful dresses. Religious festivities are the part of Pakistani society; it promotes religious and cultural values.

'Milad' or recitation of poems to celebrate the praises of the Holy Prophet are held i by Muslims during the month of Rabiulawal, the third month of the Muslim calendar.Also commonly known as 'Milad un Nabi', this day is observed as a public holiday in many countries with a large Muslim population as it commemorates the anniversary of the birth of the founder of Islam and the proclaimer of the Quran.

Despite the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government for Eid-e-MiladunNabicelebrations, adherence to social distancing and mask-wearing instructions was almost non-existent.

Each yearEid-e-MiladunNabi is celebrated in the schools and hospitals of HOPE – An Educational NGOin Pakistan, to bring religious unity among the students and staff members. It also gives a chance to the students to show their talent. Competitions are held in all the schools and prizes are distributed.

The events were held at HOPE Head Office, HOPE General Hospital, Zia Hospital and School, Thatta Hospital and School. 

HOPE- An NGO in Pakistan does its best to encourage the hidden talent in these underprivileged children as well as inducing the religious spirit in them. Milad was the perfect occasion to let these students show their respect for the beloved Prophet (P.B.U.H.) through recitation of various Naats, Famous Naatkhuwans were also invited to recite Naats in their beautiful voice to increase the feeling of devotion. The way they presented the Naats fascinated the audience.

Under the leadership of Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi, the event ended filling the hearts with joy and mind with inner peace, of all those who were present there. Everyone was served with delicious snacks, sweets and cold drinks.

HOPE SCHOOL STUDENTS PASS WITH FLYING COLOURS

Education is the key to success in life. In the poorer sections of society, access to education is difficult. This has become even more difficult in these economically difficult times. People either cannot afford to send children to school or don’t want children to study, but rather want children to work. The children become an additional earning member. Education is not a priority. They do not have the vision that imparting education will provide a brighter future to their children.

HOPE- An NGO in Pakistan, aims provide education to children in poorer communities who have no access to schools. In this context HOPE under the leadership of Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla- A Child Specialist in Karachi has established several schools in the urban and rural areas of Pakistan. In these schools children from poor communities are provided education free of cost. Many are children of labourers, drivers, transporters, factory workers who all earn a daily earning.

Recently results of HOPE High schools in Karachi and Thatta were declared. It was heartening to see that most of the students passed with A plus and A grades while some got B. Coming from humble backgrounds it is a great achievement to get these grades. It has opened several doors for them to apply for further studies. HOPE - An Educational NGO in Pakistan will support them in their college education so that they can peruse a career. A driver’s or labourer' son can become an office assistant or a computer operator. Only in this way a change can be brought in the society.

It has been always been the primary priority of HOPE, to provide the best possible education to the poor, who simply cannot afford it due to high costs.  This is why HOPE is not just creating means of providing quality education, but its main motive is to make this quality education accessible to the poor, who have no financial support to provide good schooling to their children.

HOPE ESTABLISHES A VOCATIONAL CENTER IN GHAGHAR TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

Due to the recent Corona pandemic, the lockdowns and public restrictions throughout the country, the economy of the country has been seriously affected. This has decreased the GDP rate and increased the inflation, due to which prices of general commodities have gone very high. This economic crises is notonly the story of Pakistan, but it has caused a dent to the global economy.

The situation has turned worse for the families who have been depending on a single bread earner to run their kitchen. This is where HOPE – An NGO in Pakistan comes forward to ease the difficulty of the needy. HOPE has been establishing Vocational centers throughout Pakistan since a very long time.

HOPE- An Educational NGO in Pakistan in collaboration with Procter & Gamble Pakistan, is making Vocational training easily accessible to the far off underdeveloped areas of Pakistan. 

The People of Ghaggar are living below the poverty line. Life has been very difficult for the locals living here, especially since the pandemic, which made earning a living a real challenge. Keeping this in view HOPE has established a Vocational Center in Ghaggar at Haji Jangi Khan Goth. In this vocational center computer classes and sewing and cutting is taught. Through which young boys/girls and women can take advantage of this facility and learn a skill which they can implement in the practical world in order to earn a livelihood for their families. The main objective being to provide them skills which will enable them to earn a decent living.

These people have no access to computers. Providing computers in this remote area results in them not only having access to computers but also in opening a new world of technology for them. In this digital age, learning computers has become essential to compete in these times. Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi, monitors the progress of each vocational center very closely, and encourages such young girls and women to learn a skill, through which they can be made capable of earing a side income for their family in order to reduce the financial pressure on their spouse or parents.

The computer training program is a 6 month course in which students are taught Microsoft Word, Excel and Paint. There are 2 shifts each day, in order to increase the concentration level of the teacher on each student. While in the stitching center; training is given on sewing, stitching, cutting and
embroidery. The course is designed to cater the needs of the women at their own pace. 

At the vocational center the shifts are designed in such a manner where students and housewives both can avail the training according to the timing which suits them best. They can easily manage their family
responsibilities side by side.

The primary purpose of this vocational center is to equip women with a capability to earn their own income by doing small scale business or giving part-time services.

This is how a small action can transform their lives and, in turn, reduce the burden on a single working member. It will also result in the society's economic progress.

HOPE DISTRIBUTES FOOD AMONG THE NEEDY COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT

As inflation increases and the people living below poverty line have increased, the poorer segments of the society usually with a large family size find it difficult to make ends meet. One of the most common things to get affected upon is food. Incomes have dwindled so within the limited budget, the quantity and quality of food gets affected. Protein containing food like meat etc are unaffordable. Even eggs and milk are not provided to children. This has resulted in malnutrition, stunting, anemia, vitamin D deficiency etc. In adults as well as children. Immunity levels become low, and children are more prone to develop infections.

The argument put forth against food distribution is that you should teach them how to fish rather than to provide fish. Very well said! But in these troubled times you need a more holistic approach. HOPE- An NGO in Pakistan, on the one hand mainly provides services of education, health care, vocational skills. While at the same time Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi feels that it is important to supplement the diet as well with nutritious food. These two interventions go side by side. It does not develop a simple habit of just take away.

HOPE - A Health NGO in Pakistan already working in poor urban areas and rural areas has households identified, who are poor, affording and require supplementation. Thus, HOPE has embarked upon this issue in two ways. On a regular basis dry food items (ration) is provided to numerous families on a monthly basis. This helps them in the provision of food items for the whole family. Also on a regular basis, philanthropic individuals provide cooked food in the form of biryani, boiled eggs and milk to children. This provides an instant form of nutrition to families who can afford just one meal in a day.

This form of charity is in keeping with traditions of Islam as well where feeding a hungry person is encouraged. These activities go on in a regular manner contributing to alleviate the food scarcity faced by poor segments of the society. It in no way hampers the ongoing education, health, vocational skills and other programs promoting sustainability.

HOPE Maternal and Child Health Centre: A BLESSING FOR THE POOR URBAN SETTLEMENT

Every child deserves to have a healthy start in life, and every mother should have access to quality healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth. The birth of a new child should be a time for celebration, and yet for many women around the world it is a time of fear. 

At HOPE - A Health NGO in Pakistan we believe maternal health is particularly important because of the impacts it has on the future generations and communities. Not only does access to good quality maternal healthcare ensure the good health of a mother, but her good health also helps to ensure the good health of her newborn child and the rest of her family.

HOPE - An NGO in Pakistan is running an MCH which is located at Korangi , an urban slum in Karachi . This particular MCH is located in Korangi, having a population of 60,000, where minimal to almost no medical facilities. 

The MCH Center at Korangi is mainly visited by mothers and their children, services like Ultra sound, antenatal checkup are provided. The purpose of the MCH is to provide the much needed maternal and child health services. To provide ante natal and obstetric care to expectant mothers so that any abnormality in the progress of pregnancy can be identified early, appropriate interventions can be done, growth of fetus can be monitored. The most important thing is saving mothers and newborn lives. Many expectant mothers come to the clinic who literally not received any obstetric care during pregnancy. They depend on traditional birth attendants for home deliveries. Many of these women are referred to hospitals for proper medical intervention.

The MCH Centre also provides medical care to children. Children with gastroenteritis, respiratory infections , typhoid etc are diagnosed and treated. Medicine is provided free of cost. Dehydrated children are provided intravenous fluids. Malnourished children are given nutritional advice.   

An immunization program is also conducted on weekly basis, in which a team of Government officials visit the MCH every Saturday and provide vaccination and immunization shots to Women and children free of cost. The staff at HOPE MCH consists of a Female Doctor, a dispenser, 2 nurses, a helper and a maid who are available to all times to serve the patients.  

This MCH has become quite successful even though it has been just 6 months for its existence. The main reason for which is the population ratio who do not have access to medical facilities at a reasonable price in this area. Hence HOPE is the first to establish an MCH Center which was highly needed by the people of this area. On an average 2000 patients are seen monthly. In 6 months nearly 12000 patients have treated free of cost. 

Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla A Child Specialist in Karachi, who is also the founder and Chairperson of HOPE; from the very beginning has been striving hard and collaborating with local as well as International organizations through which they can support us in our cause in providing health care facilities and services to the need communities throughout Pakistan, by establishing Hospitals, Mobile Health Units, Mother & Child Healthcare and other Clinics, where patients are treated at a minimal or free of cost. 

Global Handwashing Day and Reaching 19 Billionth Liter Milestone of Safe Water by P&G

We’re Celebrating Global Handwashing Day and Reaching our 19 Billionth Liter Milestone

 

On October 15^th, the world celebrates Global Handwashing Day (GHD). Handwashing is a critical component of staying healthy and good hygiene. Started in 2008, this observance focuses on handwashing using soap to provide an easy, effective and affordable way to prevent disease.

 

• Last month, our brand Safeguard and Walgreens collaborated with Americares to bring 10 million handwashes to communities in need. This new program, Hope is in Your Hands, will provide Americares with products that will be distributed to clinics and hospitals worldwide including safety net health centers serving low-income, uninsured and under-insured families in the United States.  
• Safeguard in Greater China will conduct its 14^th Global Handwashing Day event on the Great Wall as part of its #SpreadHealthAcrossChina education and charity program. This program will reach 2/3 of cities in China providing handwashing facilities and education courses.
• In the Philippines, Safeguard is partnering with the Department of Health, the Department of Education, UNICEF and the Manila Water Foundation to host the “Science of Handwashing” talking about how Safeguard enables Filipinos to make every wash a #SafeWash. The brand is working with its partners to build handwashing facilities in 280+ public schools in Manila to ensure 100% of schools have access to handwashing once schools reopen. 

Our Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program plays an important role in helping enable good handwashing practices as the water used for handwashing needs to be clean to be effective. Since the not-for-profit program started in 2004, we have worked closely with more than 150 global partners to provide 19 billion liters of clean water in more than 90 countries around the world. We are well on our way to achieving our goal to reach 25 billion liters provided by 2025. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone anniversary with our charity partner HOPE who distributes much-needed P&G Purifier of Water packets in Pakistan to people like Allah B. and his family. Allah B. (75) lives with his wife Rahmia (70), their son Allah Rakha (45), daughter-in-law Sakina (30) and their five children Rasheed (10), Salma (9), Razia (5), Ameeran (2) and Gulzar (11 months).

For nearly 18 months, the HOPE team and Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla Child Specialist inKarachi has been distributing P&G packets in Allah B’s community. Volunteers from HOPE showed the family how to clean dirty and muddy water and provided buckets and the packets. Living in a remote village in Jam Sardar region, the community had to get their water from a nearby river. During rainy season, the water was quite dirty, and many people fell ill. Since the HOPE team has been regularly coming to the village and providing packets, education and training, people are not getting sick as often.

Having clean water has made a tremendous difference to Allah B’s family. Before they started using the packets, 2-year-old Ameeran became ill and had to be taken to the hospital. It took nearly two hours by bus and by the time she arrived, she was severely dehydrated and needed to be given IV fluids and injections. She remained in the hospital for three days which was expensive for the family. “I had to take a loan to pay for the hospital. We had to go to the doctor very often and medicines were very expensive. As I am a farmer, my earnings are not that much and all my income would go to medical expenses,” her father commented.

Because of the repeated infections, the children were not eating well and losing weight but since the family began using the packets, they have become ill less often. This has reduced their visits to the doctor and their medical expenses. And now in their community of about 1,500 people, nearly 80% of all households are using the packets to clean their water and are staying healthy. And encouragingly, infant deaths due to diarrhea has become a rare occurrence.

Providing more than one billion liters of clean water each year is another example of P&G’s acts of good as we Lead with Love supporting our communities, fostering equality and inclusion, and protecting the planet we call home.

To learn more about Safeguard in the U.S. click here, in Greater China, click here and in the Philippines, click here. To learn more about the P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, visit www.csdw.org.

 

HOPE DEMONSTRATES P&G PUR WATER PURIFIER IN MUZAFFARABAD

Water is a fundamental human need. Each person on Earth requires at least 20 to 50 liters of clean, safe water a day for drinking, cooking, and simply keeping themselves clean.

Polluted water isn’t just dirty it is deadly. Some 1.8 million people die every year of diarrheal diseases like cholera. Tens of millions of others are seriously sickened by a host of water-related ailments many of which are easily preventable.

HOPE - A Health NGO in Pakistan knows the significance of environmental health, which is concerned with all aspects of the environment that may affect human health.

HOPE in collaboration with Procter & Gamble Pakistan, is making clean water accessible to the needy people by distributing P&G Purifier of Water. P&G Purifier of Water is used for preparing safe drinking water. One single sachet purifies up to 10 liters of brackish water. Compared with other products available in the market, P&G Purifier of Water leaves no salty or sour taste after drinking.

Last month the team HOPE visited Muzaffarabad, where clean drinking water is not easily accessible. Hence, the team gave a demonstration to the local community groups at Gharri Dupatta in order to provide them with the purifying kits that consisted of the following items : Cooler, Bucket, Muslin Cloth, Spatula and Pur sachets.

These kits were distributed among 20 families in Gharri Dupatta, Muzaffarabad, each family has an approximate of 8-9 members. Each family was given 3-4 boxes of Pur Sachet, each box consists of 240 Pur Sachets.  

HOPE - An NGO in Pakistan, distributed the water purifying kits and sachets, along with performing a demonstration of the completer procedure on how the drinking water is prepared and on how to use it correctly. The team specifically targets areas where the population is deprived of clean drinking water.

Under the leadership of Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla – A Child Specialist in Karachi, HOPE does its best to provide access to safe drinking water to millions of poverty-stricken people across Pakistan and takes it as a responsibility to help all those people who are misfortunate.