Dubai: Pakistani NGO The Citizens Foundation (TCF) recently held its annual supporters’ conference in Dubai to raise awareness about its work in providing schooling for poor children in Pakistan.
TCF operates more than 1,400 purpose-built schools in Pakistan. A number of TCF school students have gone on to graduate from top Western universities and held jobs in leading companies.
Founded in 1995, the non-profit organisation has previously held supporters conferences in Dubai, where it has also hosted fund-raisers for the cause of children’s education. In the UAE, TCF is registered with the International Humanitarian City (IHC) in Dubai.
TCF is supported by donations and support given by individuals, corporations, and endowment trusts. It receives no financial support from Pakistan’s government.
Earlier this month, TCF held a supporters’ conference to introduce the TCF programme to new individuals, provide an update to existing supporters on latest projects and achievements, and explain the challenges faced by the organisation in running its programme.
A highlight of the event was a segment where TCF alumni shared their journey at TCF and the impact it had on their lives. The event also provided an opportunity for the guests to interact with the TCF founding directors and senior management.
Present at occasion were Moazzam Ahmad Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE; Brig (Retd) Syed Javed Hassan, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai; and Reem Bin Karam, director of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment.
In a statement, TCF Director Shahab Haider told Gulf News: “Our organisation is a professionally managed, non-profit organisation that builds and operates schools in the urban slums and rural areas of Pakistan. Today, TCF is operating 1,441 purpose-built schools with an enrolment of 204,000 children in 58 districts across Pakistan. As part of our latest initiatives, TCF has taken over the management of 271 government schools across Pakistan, most significantly in Punjab.”
He added: “We are truly grateful to IHC for their support and patronage, and to the UAE community for their compassion and generosity. As we continue to expand our school network, we face an increasing challenge to sustain our programme, and we request the UAE community to support us in our mission to educate the less-privileged children of Pakistan.”
Also present at the event were TCF founding directors Mushtaq Chhapra and Ateed Riaz; as well as Syed Asaad Ayub Ahmad, president and CEO of TCF.
In 2016, TCF opened its first college in Karachi. The TCF College has a capacity of 400 students and its first batch of 200 students will be graduating next year.
