|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Foreign aid FCF Project: Family Educational Services, Pakistan Newspaper reprint: The News - Kolachi As I entered the Regal Trade Square building, I was quite taken aback
by the environment of the place - who can possibly expect an NGO to be
working in full swing right in the midst of Saddar’s bustling Electronic
Market. But there it is, right in the heart of the city, a Foundation
run jointly by locals and foreigners, who have made Pakistan their home
and this work their life.
Interestingly, Richard says that what brought him here was the wind of faith. "Pakistan has a wonderful heritage of faith. As a nation, Pakistani people are very resilient and have a strong faith in God and that’s a real foundation stone. Look at the recent earthquake, the response from the whole Pakistani nation was truly wonderful. We can criticise easily, but to me it was really encouraging to see the phenomenal response. You don’t find that happening in every country of the world," says a truly impressed Richard. Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF), previously called Love in Action, is based in Karachi. One of their most prominent programs in Karachi is Deaf Reach - a specialized training program for hearing impaired children and adults that has been effectively operational since 1990. They also have teachers’ training and community service programs. "We have no branches of FESF in other parts of the country except a Deaf Reach Center in Lahore. However, we are connected with other like minded NGOs around the world and in the country" says Richard. There are many other foreigners working with FESF who have been here for a long time. "We are about a dozen people and also have local teachers and coordinators who are also doing a great job," Geary explains. The centers at Karachi and Lahore have eight teachers out of which six are deaf themselves. "This is because our initial goal was to have a center for deaf people that would also be run by deaf people. But it takes time and it takes training. It doesn’t happen overnight," adds Geary. These foreigners who are now an integral part of FESF have diversified nationalities - they come from places like Scotland, Italy, Holland and Canada. Richard’s wife, Heidi is from Philippines. She deals with the administrative responsibilities and has been with FESF since she married Richard in Philippines. "What really inspired me about his personality was his dedication towards his work as I was also involved in the same line of work. We got married and then I moved with him to India and from there we came to Pakistan. I have not been to Philippines for 16 years now. I have my family there but I am more satisfied being here in Karachi," she happily explains to Kolachi. The NGO’s basic aim is to improve the quality of life for those who are underprivileged or disadvantaged especially in the area of education. Where there is poverty there is need and in a country like Pakistan, there is a tremendous lack of foundational services. A majority of the population lacks basic needs and if something can be done to make a difference then it should be done. And FESF fully agrees with this. "We feel that by helping to improve the quality of education, we are helping the people to improve the quality of their life" he expresses his team’s hope.
The Deaf Reach Center (DRTC) provides free of cost service to under privileged children, especially teenagers. "We bring children from Baldia town, SITE area, Korangi and all such underprivileged areas of the city where there are hardly any basic necessities of life and to provide that we organize these programs," Geary explains the basic functions of the Foundation. The children who come to FESF are from underprivileged families where they have many siblings and thus face various hardships because of a lack of resources. "If one is handicapped, there is not much for you to do as unfortunately there are no special facilities for the handicapped here. When they come to us, they realize that which they didn’t initially at other schools," states Geary. FESF also runs a big volunteer program of about 60 local youngsters, especially for the Community Service Program. They conduct orphans visitation programs and arrange donations of material needs to various institutions for disadvantaged children. "The volunteers are not just involved with the children; rather we also involve them in organizing and planning as it trains them. And many now believe that this has changed their lives." With the help of the volunteers FESF organizes a number of events for children like the annual summer camp at SOS village which is tremendously enjoyed by the children. They also provide specialized training facilities to these deaf children; there is hardware and web designing classes that give them a chance to excel in the field of information technology. Richard thinks that by providing these services, these children are better adept to face current global challenges. "Today’s world is of Information Technology. Therefore, young adult and children who have special needs should be equipped with computer tactics as well," says Geary. Those, who come to the Deaf Center have all learnt to handle touch type computers and basic software programs. This teaches them a skill using which they can earn a respectable living for themselves and their families. As how Geary puts it, "Whatever we invest in their lives today will bring a better result to the community as a whole." FESF generates funds locally through concerned individuals, donors and philanthropists with no support from any external donor organizations. "We deliberately do that because we strongly believe that if our work is of high quality and is meaningful for the community, the community will support us. And by God’s grace this has been the case," he states adding that paying the locals is very important as they have families to support too.
Having lived here so long, Richard is tremendously fascinated by the city of Karachi. "It is a melting pot of every community. I have visited other cities and towns in the country and everywhere there is a particular community or a group of people or culture. But here, it is a great mix; of community and culture, and that creates a unique kind of diversity and excitement." He feels that his stay in the country for about 18 years now has turned him into a complete Pakistani. A strong proof is his extreme liking for all kinds of spicy food. But to his embarrassment, he is still not fluent in Urdu. "The problem is that the native language of Pakistan and India has turned into English. When I try to communicate in Urdu, everybody wants me to speak in English. However, while commuting in taxis or going to the market, I never leave a chance to practice. Moreover I learnt a lot of Urdu when teachers here teach through flash cards," he says laughingly. There have been tough times too when Karachi was going through a violent patch of civil strife. It was a time when the city suffered huge losses in terms of business as many multinationals and foreigners packed their bags and left the city. Richard takes all this in his stride saying that those were challenging times, but that his colleagues and he are not different from any other Karachiite. "Only a very small minority relocated; if most of the Karachiites stayed back than why should we have left? These situations did last long and many of our friends did leave. But we didn’t. Our center is located right in the heart of Saddar from where most of the demonstrations start. We just have to be a little wise and sometimes we lie low a little until things calm down. These events have never shaken our aim or affected our passion for this work. I have never personally felt threatened or intimidated the whole time I have lived here" says Richard optimistically. He further adds, "I understand the feelings that sometimes exist about foreigners but those are often generalized. We have never had experience with anyone who has been resentful.In fact, most locals who know our work tremendously appreciate our efforts and are very supportive and positive. They also know the children who come here and the change we are brining to their lives touches their heart." Having lived in Pakistan for such a long time, Richard surprisingly does not miss his country much. "Though I have my parents there and I miss them but I can’t say I miss my country terribly. I do go back every once in a while to visit them. But I have lived outside my country for a long time, almost 30 years, doing this kind of work." he says. For progress to be made there has to be a desire to build bridges and make a joint effort. It’s unity that brings strength and growth. To this Richard agrees, as by taking up such projects "we are making a difference in the lives of those that we work with and those who have benefited from our work. And I think that contributes to the overall progress of the country." Richard feels that a lot more has to be done to create awareness for hearing impaired children. Most people treat their deaf children as handicapped or they think they are mentally retarded and at times also as an embarrassment. Instead of seeking ways to bring them to some educational institutions, they hide them at home. "Initially we had to face all this, but now things have improved considerably and we have parents coming to us with their deaf children on a regular basis," says Richard. However, the center is severely short of space to accommodate more children
and expand its services in full swing. "Someone very generously donated
this area and we have been using it for eight years but that is not enough
as we can just accommodate 90 children. Which is quite sad as it really
makes a huge difference in these kids’ lives and we should be able
to do it for all of them," says Richard adding that the future mode
of action is to have a proper building for children with special needs.
The Family Educational Services Foundation, a non-profit volunteer organisation, runs several educational and community service programmes in Pakistan. Two of their volunteers spoke to Gulf News about their work during a recent visit to Dubai Italian Maria Paola and Canadian Daniel Marc are among those rare individuals who have made helping others the main focus of their lives. For almost two decades, they, along with their families, have been living and working in Pakistan as volunteers for Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF). This non-profit volunteer organisation established in Pakistan in 1984 and based in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, runs several educational and community service programmes. "The mission of the FESF is to enhance the quality of life for all members of the community, especially those who are disadvantaged. We invest in the lives of youth today to build the leaders of tomorrow by providing character-building education and guidance to strengthen them and their communities," said Maria. She and Daniel were in Dubai on a private visit and spoke to Gulf News about their work. "I was born and educated in Rome. After graduating from university, I felt a strong calling in my heart to dedicate my life to helping others," said Maria. She worked with various charitable organisations in Italy and abroad. She met her husband, Sam, who is Scottish, while they were both volunteers in Yugoslavia. "We heard that the FESF required volunteers and came to Karachi in 1985. Little did we know that we would stay so long and never feel like leaving," she said. "The warmth, appreciation and support of the people have kept us in Pakistan," she added. Maria helps with the Eduserve Training Programme of FESF. She conducts training programmes for teachers in primary schools and institutions for children with special needs. "Our programmes are based on latest research in the field, but are practical, creative and adapted to suit local conditions. They are designed to motivate teachers, who do not otherwise have access to latest teaching tools and techniques, and helps them to make the lessons more interesting thus reducing the drop out rate among students," she explained. Maria also helps with the Deaf Reach programme through which the FESF runs Information Technology training centres for hearing impaired men and women. "Getting training in computers and international sign language enhances the job prospects of these educated youngsters. We also have an academic programme for hearing impaired children, from rural areas with no special schools, who are brought by bus to our centre. The Deaf Reach programme also helps our students find jobs," she said. Maria also works closely with an orphanage in Karachi. "We do teacher training seminars and hold a week-long summer camp with many activities for the children and staff. An important aspect of this programme is that over 50 young volunteers from the community assist us and are getting trained in volunteer work," said Maria. Sam, who speaks fluent Urdu and Punjabi, helps as a youth counsellor. He was instrumental in organising a performing troupe comprising the children of FESF volunteers. "The troupe called Heart Beat performs songs and dances and tableaux based on educational themes in Urdu, Punjabi and English. They regularly entertain slum children and children with special needs. They have raised funds through public performances and they have been invited to perform at the governor's residence and on television," said Maria. Similar groups called Dosti and Fantastic Friends exist in Islamabad and Lahore. Daniel's story is similar to Maria's. He gave up his career in hotel management when he felt the calling to do more than living just for himself. Daniel met his like-minded wife Joy while volunteering in France. They came to Islamabad as FESF volunteers in the early 1980s and five of their nine children were born in Pakistan. Daniel, who speaks fluent Urdu, is also involved in the Eduserve training programme, travelling to remote towns all over Pakistan to train teachers in small rural schools. Joy works at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Science, where she runs a Mother and Child health programme that includes teaching expectant mothers breathing exercises that facilitate natural childbirth. "My wife has got me involved in the Cheer Up programme at the hospital. Once a week I dress up as a clown and visit the children's ward in the hospital along with a team of volunteers to entertain the parents, children and staff," he said. For the teacher training programmes, they draw on their own experience of home schooling their children. "To save on expenses several FESF families share a house. Before the older children moved out, we had 23 children of different nationalities living under the same roof, so we have much practical experience," said Daniel. Like their parents, the children also get involved in community work through fund-raising performances and other activities. "It is wonderful to see our children dressed in local costumes doing the bhangra or singing popular film songs for a Pakistani audience. Growing up in this environment has given them a positive attitude and good social skills. They are caring human beings who can deal confidently with any situation," said Maria, whose son was seven when they moved to Pakistan. "We have a deep respect for the local culture and the strong family values of Pakistanis. We are happy that our children have been raised there," added Daniel, who is travelling outside Pakistan for the first time in 17 years. The FESF has 17 adult volunteers based in three cities. The organisation is run on donations from well-wishers and from income raised through the sale of a series of professionally-produced edutainment videos, a perpetual calendar with daily insightful proverbs and a magazine called Motivated. The organisation is democratic relying on horizontal leadership, with each centre raising its own funds and maintaining audits. The volunteers receive no salary, though their basic needs are met. "We live frugally but we have a comfortable life," said Daniel. "Our ambitions are different," added Maria. As their projects expand, the need for funds is met by holding benefit concerts and encouraging more local volunteers to get involved. "Exposure of teenagers from the community to this work is a positive influence on society. Now we even have Pakistanis living abroad sending their children to work in our projects," said Maria. During this private visit Daniel and Maria were overwhelmed with the support expressed by Dubai residents. "We have a long waiting list in our Deaf Reach programmes and a long list of projects that we need funds for. We will try to work out the legalities and logistics of accepting donations in cash and kind and having them shipped to Pakistan so that we can involve UAE residents in our work," said Daniel. To explain the philosophy behind their choice of life, Daniel cited an article titled "You Can Make a Difference" in an issue of Motivated. "Everybody is affecting somebody and just one caring person concerned about improving the world can influence others to do the same. We can all make a difference in our own way. Even if you change one person yourself, you will make a difference around you," Daniel quoted. Programmes run by the Family Educational Services Foundation • Eduserve Training Programme • Deaf Reach • Community Services • For more info: familycare.org\network\i04.htm How to help • By buying the edutainment videos and calendar or subscribing to Motivated. • By sponsoring the education of needy children affected by hearing impairment. • By sponsoring specific projects. • By donating computers for the Deaf Reach programme and clothes, toys and other material for orphanages and special needs institutions supported by FESF. • By donating multimedia projectors and laptops for presentations. • Youngsters living in the UAE can work as volunteers in various projects. • Businesses with branches in Pakistan can help by providing jobs to hearing impaired youngsters.
To donate to this Family Care Foundation Project, please note Project NAME and then click here. |
|||||||||||||
|
|
