Dawn Images

Ramazan is a time of giving — and with Pakistan being high on philanthropy, the list of charitable organisations one can donate to is quite long.

If you're looking for a place to donate to, there are a multitude of charitable organisations which have recently sprung up or have been working in Pakistan since a while, with the sole aim to give back to society through Iftar drives, feeding the less privileged and helping others.

Here is a list of a few organisations that not only give back to society with fervour, but are also a good introduction to the range of philanthropic endeavour in the country. Click on the subheads to learn more about each organisation.

1) The Citizens Foundation (TCF)

It is no doubt that TCF made it on the list; their work is highly commendable. The organisation aims to remove barriers of class and privilege to create citizens who work for a positive change in society.

TCF is one of Pakistan’s leading non-profit organisations in the education sphere. Since its establishment in 1995, the organisation has provided 204,000 students with access to formal education, which equals to changing the future of 204,000 students. TCF builds schools in the hearts of underdeveloped areas of Pakistan, such as the urban slums. This ensures growth of those communities as the young minds gain education.

2) Aik Naiki

A success story which began about five years ago when some young college students decided to distribute Iftar boxes to the needy and those driving on the roads during Iftar time. For the next three years, this group of young men ventured to different locations and conducted Iftar drives, distributing food boxes.

Last year, Aik Naiki expanded its efforts to a dastarkhuwan outside Jinnah Hospital that catered and cared for 600 people. This year, the group grew further, beyond its usual circle of volunteers, and recruited new faces but also collaborated with another organisation, Charity Right, an organisation which strives to uplift people from food poverty and illiteracy in Karachi and districts of Tharparker, and collectively opted to serve in two distinct vicinities, KMDC in North Nazimabad and outside Jinnah hospital where they have so far catered and served over 1000 people. The organisation acts an emergency centre where those who are in need approach the organisation and the organisation seek to connect them with those who can help.

3) The Edhi Foundation

The Edhi Foundation, established by Abdul Sattar Edhi and his spouse Mrs. Bilquis Edhi, provides services to locals all over Pakistan. It is famous for its land, air, and marine ambulance services, all free of cost. From shifting patients to hospitals after accidents, free rehabilitation of drug addicts, tracing missing persons, organising marriages for the less privileged to providing free food, clothing, and blankets to needy people. It also provides prisoners with free legal aid, financial and medical support. Among its many services, Edhi also looks after handicapped people, provides them with medical aid, and even exclusive free bathing and shrouding services to unclaimed dead bodies.

Edhi Foundation is an unprecedented example of services to the nation and country of Pakistan as well as humanity, across the globe. Since the death of Abdul Sattar Edhi donations have been dwindling, but their efforts have persisted with the same fervor.

4) Azaad Pakistan

Azaad Pakistan has previously served over 2000 people under their initiative ‘Iftari for Poor.’ This year, the organisation has served around 28000+ meals to the poor and provided 1500+ ration bags to families which last a family 4-6 months. That's quite an achievement!

'Iftaari for Poor' is considered to be one of the largest Ramazan projects in the country which caters to people residing in 12 cities of Pakistan such as Chamman, Sehwan and Sialkot. In the past few years, Azaad Pakistan has conducted projects worth more than Rs19 million, which funds more than 90 projects in total and has served 170000+ meals and 4500 ration bags.

5) Be There Welfare Trust

Be There Welfare Trust is an initiative that envisions hunger free humanity. Food, being the mother of all necessities, is one of the root causes of malnutrition and survival. Be There Welfare Trust caters to this alarming issue by serving meals on wheels in less privileged areas. The organisation caters to different areas of the city such as North Nazimabad, Gulshan, Gulistan-e-Johar, Civil hospital, Saddar, and Cantt station.

Founded this year before the start of Ramazan, the Holy month served as a start for this organisation. The organisation is run by first timers and in just a few weeks time the troupe have done an exceptional job. Be There Welfare Trust roots its founding to Burhan Shah's mother who served people with the mother of all necessities - food. This organisation has a long way to go and we know it will.

6) Kiran Foundation

Sabina Khatri was conducting research in Lyari and was stunned by the impact the violence there had on the children. She sought to eliminate the negative circle of violence which persisted in society by starting a trauma sensitive preschool program with just twenty toddlers and their mothers as students. The mothers were trained not only to recognise violence, abuse and its negativity but to stand against it.

Now, Kiran Foundation operates within Lyari by providing quality education, reforming government schools and serving as a bearer of empowerment for women. Kiran Foundation has partnered up with Akhuwat, a set-up which provides interest free micro-finance to marginalized families, to promote safe schools.

7) Saylani Welfare International Trust

Saylani Welfare International Trust is one of Pakistan’s most famous NGOs which aims to help the poor in multiple ways. The most famous is ‘free for all’ food giveaway everyday.

The organisation feeds more than 125,000 people daily. It aims to provide the poor and needy across the country with fresh wholesome meals twice a day in hygienic environments twice a day. Moreover, they aim to distribute ration boxes to 35000 families, this year.

8) Alamgir Welfare Trust

Alamgir Welfare Trust has been serving the indigent and underprivileged people of Pakistan since the last two decades. An organisation established by Shaheed Anwer Naseem Chandna, aims to transform the lives of the needy people. Alamgir welfare trust has a vision of making Pakistan a great country to live in, where even person has means to feed his family, kids has a right to education, every patient has resources to get treatment.

This year, the organisation prepared more than 6000 iftar boxes everyday and conducted drives in the various cities, hospitals, mosques, and orphanages in Pakistan.

9) Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant

Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) is a highly regarded medical institution, which provides specialised medical care to the population at large suffering from kidney, liver, cancers and ethical transplant procedures. SIUT's state-of-the-art equipment and extensive facilities enable the organisation to provide treatment free of cost to the less privileged.

The institute takes care of nearly a million patients per year, and specialises in providing emergency services, major and minor surgical procedures, dialysis sessions, transplants, radiology tests and laboratory investigations by skilled professionals.

10) Health Oriented Preventive Education (HOPE)

An organisation which started with street volunteers who came for a cause together, HOPE today is a large national network of schools, hospitals and vocational centers. Furthermore, HOPE does not focus on only one aspect of life ,rather aims to integrate and provide quality education and health with vocational training to the disadvantaged.

Recently this Ramazan, HOPE organised an Iftar which was well received by students of lesser privilege. The children also received Eid gifts by the organisation.

Please exercise due diligence to ensure your satisfaction before donating to a welfare organisation. If you know of other trustworthy organisations who you feel need help and assistance, please leave their names and contact information (preferably with links) in the comments section below.

This article was originally published on June 21, 2017.