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A new charity in Nazia Hassan's name aims to educate Karachi's street children

A new charity in Nazia Hassan's name aims to educate Karachi's street children

Spearheaded by the singer's mother, the school will make sure street children "don't get left behind"
Updated 03 Sep, 2016

Providing Karachi's underprivileged children with an opportunity to gain an education and groom themselves, new initiative the 'Nazia Hassan Foundation' will possibly be the first of its kind in the city.

Muniza Basir, mother of the famous Pakistani pop artist, spoke to Images about the family's latest initiative.

"We are working towards establishing a school here in Karachi, but this is not just any other school in Pakistan. This school is specifically dedicated to the grooming and education of working children on the streets - who have been burdened with the expectation of earning for their entire families at the expense of their own education," she says.

She further explains, "Our school aspires to offer these children a course on whatever they are already doing as a profession, while also teaching them basic subjects such as English, mathematics, computer skills and history. The aim of this initiative is to brush up skills that would help them flourish in their profession, while also being capable of going and taking up their work in any other place and not having to worry about getting by."

While they hope to branch out to other parts of Pakistan, Muniza believes that "charity begins at home".

"Karachi was where Nazia was born, and like millions of other people - it is her home. We plan on starting out here, and Karachi has the greatest number of such children running around, looking for any kind of work that will get them doh wakt ki roti," reasons Muniza.

Since the school has been named after the singer, was it Nazia’s wish to launch her own school?

"Nazia's wish wasn’t [specifically] to launch her own school, but her wish was for Pakistani children to be able to earn a living, while also being able to get educated so that they don’t ever get left behind. An educational program is good for any poverty-ridden country," replies Nazia's mother.

While the students will be taught to work on the skills and talents they already have, music courses aren't something the family is specifically aiming to seek. "We haven’t thought of it as of now, it all depends on the children. At this moment in time, we only care about putting in hard work," says Muniza.

They aim to provide a long term solution to children who grow up on the streets by providing them with diplomas from established universities.

"We will be offering a five-year course for our students, and have been reaching out to universities who can authorise and give these students a diploma. With this diploma, they can earn their livelihood anywhere. As we are sure that the universities will promote this initiative, it is to our great pleasure to announce that our students will now also have the option of pursuing higher education!" she says.

And so far Muniza says that the project has been entirely self-funded. "At this moment in time, I have gotten help from my husband. When I came back to Pakistan, I knew that this is the time to work for the project that Nazia always had in mind. I had another full time responsibility of bringing up Nazia’s little toddler (who is now studying Law and History at King's College)," she explains.

It didn't take much to convince Nazia's father and he was on-board with the idea without any hesitations.

"I saw a building which belongs to our family. I was aware that from a business perspective Nazia’s father would take some time thinking over the prospect before handing it over to me. I asked him hesitantly, “What about this building of yours?” It’s in a prime area to set up a learning centre for children. I remember that it was Nazia’s wish, and she was working on it even at that time. I knew that this property is too expensive to be used as a centre of education, but I was shocked to hear Basir respond with, “What could be more valuable than my beti’s wish, and all these children’s lives and futures?”

Is there a way others can help and contribute?

"At this moment in time, it is our family working on this - but people have already come forward," she says. "This country has many people who have love for this country, and for the children of this country, in their hearts. When we open a branch to formally accept donations for this school, we’ll be sure to let you know."

"We believe in education for children no matter what their circumstances, and no matter how poor they are. Education is every little child’s right, says Muniza. And she is hopeful others will join hands with them so that they can open more schools in other parts of Pakistan.

The tentative name for the school is the 'Nazia Hassan Foundation', but Muniza says it may change to Nazia Hassan’s Schools for Studying. So far there is no confirmation of the school's opening date.

Comments

m@k Sep 03, 2016 01:55pm
Simply a brilliant initiative while also teaching them the skills and crafts. I am all set to extend my support in any form for this cause. With prays and best wishes for Nazia's mom and family!!
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Mehak Gulab Sep 03, 2016 02:13pm
All the best wishes to this wonderful and pious endeavor hope this will open eyes of politicians as well.
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shepower.pk Sep 03, 2016 02:33pm
All the best with your project, I envy your effort, God Bless you
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Jawad pakistani Sep 03, 2016 02:52pm
Thank you and God bless you.
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Ejaz Sep 03, 2016 02:53pm
Let me have some more details. The idea is excellent . My wife being teacher since last 26 years in Denmark ,she always have sympathy for Pakistan and would love to contribute her experiences, if needed will come and sit in Pakistan.
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Amer Rao Sep 03, 2016 04:10pm
Thank You Nazia's family, Together we can make a Difference and together we achieve more.
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Ali Sep 03, 2016 04:11pm
Hope this foundation will do something concrete for the street children. There's an NGO in Kar achi which send fake 'street-children' to foreign countries for the participation in football tournaments. That NGO is tarnishing Pakistan's image as it forges documents and send over-age children to football tournaments who are not street children at all !
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A.Siddiqi Sep 03, 2016 06:26pm
While travelling in Africa, I heard Nazia's songs in a cafe/burger shop. On approaching the reception counter, I found out they were local girls and they informed me that they liked Nazia's songs. I was amazed. I wanted to share it with the readers.
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AKKS Sep 03, 2016 07:05pm
All the best for this holy venture! Nazia Hassan is still one of my most favourite artists! A talented lady who left this world, so early in life!
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Agha Ata Sep 03, 2016 07:24pm
Ms. Muniza Bair, I really admire your idea and the work. Please make sure it is not stopped for any reason (as usually happens to good things in the country) I am sure you will make it an institution for poor children. Only one thing worries me; when children come from work and go to school, that would be like a break for them, but what would happen to their real break when they play and enjoy as children. It shouldn't be shorter than other more fortunate children have. A very admirable solution to this big problem. Congratulation!
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syed wasim haider Sep 03, 2016 07:39pm
Best of luck
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j.Gamble Sep 03, 2016 07:58pm
Aap jaisa Koi Bhi, Jindgi Me Aye- I still enjoy listening to this song.
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Bupi Sep 03, 2016 10:26pm
To little to late but its never late. Can't understand that charity is done after ones love ones death Then how its good beginning.
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Syed Waqar Ali Sep 03, 2016 11:28pm
If every body comes forward in the field of education like Nazia Hasan's mom then we can improve literacy rate as well as quality of education. Good luck to Nazia's mom on her edeavours.
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AK Sep 04, 2016 01:11am
I still listen to melodious songs of Qurbani. What a agreat singer. She has lots of Indian fans even today. God bless you.
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Ramla Shaikh Sep 04, 2016 01:38am
What a great idea! I wish I could go to PAKISTAN and help in any way possible! Please include me on the e mail circulation of this school project!
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Rationalist Sep 04, 2016 05:09am
10/10
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Patriotic Sep 04, 2016 06:00am
It is awesome idea, Hope Nazia Hassan's wish will come true. I will be happy to donate something for good cause, every penny count.
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Muhammad Hamza Sep 04, 2016 03:34pm
this is too much appreciative step that has initiated by Nazia's Mom for the street children in Karachi. it will propagate the message of humanism to the rest. Obviously,if you want to bring change in Pakistan, the simple clue is, to educate the poor and make them skillful. Being an engineering student and Pakistani these are my future thoughts to open schools and colleges for the street children in each and every city of Pakistan. However it needs a massive amount.i wish that i surround all the time, around the people who have a soft and caring heart towards humanity.God bless you and best wishes for you and your family.
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Jawaid Islam Sep 06, 2016 12:01pm
It pains to see me little children doing menial chores on the streets; children as young as five or ten are roaming the streets and earn whatever they can. Even more painful is women carrying babies in their arms and begging. This is a commendable effort and I support it and and available for any assistance.
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