Kids in a locally-run school in Skardu pose for a photo on their typical day of sitting on cold floors with books in their dry hands.
Rondu, Skardu is a small community where farming and labour are primary sources of income for most of the households.
Getting education in far off areas like Rondu is an extremely challenging task. Which when combined with poverty and a lack of attention from administration becomes worse.
In 2014, Qadir Hussain Graduate of National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad from the area took an initiative during his undergraduate studies of building a welfare school named Muhammadia Learning Academy.
“In March 2014, we established an evening coaching setup at our home, to guide the students and provide them with free tuition,” says Qadir, founder of Muhammadia Academy.
“The local community was very supportive and donated a piece of land for the school. It has now more than 50 children which honestly seemed impossible just a few years back. “ added Qadir.
However it is just the case of one community school whose fate direly depends on donations that locals and people from urban area make.
Only a few in the area make it to middle school let alone get an opportunity to enroll in primary. But it is changing as locals are taking initiatives like this one and trying to make a change.
By making a donation to initiatives like those of the Muhammadia Learning Academy, you can help the community to stand on its own and help many girls like these to get proper educational facilities. You can learn more about our fundraiser for the Muhammadia Learning Academy here, and you can donate to them here.
Written by Sadia Rashid of Afsana