Learning and exchange visit to Street Children Project in Islamabad

The team of Caritas Pakistan National Secretariat visited the School of Hope on 2nd of August at Rimsha Colony, Islamabad.

The schools offers education to 120 children from playgroup to grade four. Caritas Pakistan Islamabad-Rawalpindi CPIR has been supporting 45 street children with free uniforms, books, school bags and copies. The colony is home to 1200 families, most of them sanitary and domestic workers.

The students presented poems, acts and reflected their aims in life that clearly indicated that they are keen to get education in making their future bright.

Ms. Saima Principal of School of Hope has been running the school since 2012. “The students are determined to give their best in studies and extra curricular activities” she said. Mr. Liaqat Masih (Program Coordinator CPIR) briefed about the project implementation and the ongoing efforts for enlightening the dropouts with basic education.

He then briefed about the progress of counseling sessions for drug-addicted youngsters, aged six to 22, in the afternoon. At least 30 have been referred for direct antiglobulin test (DAT), a blood test used to diagnose a type of anemia, after attending the 4-months counseling sessions. Ms. Sehrish (Social mobilizer) and Ms. Irum Waris (Psychologist) are presently engaged in rehabilitating the addicts.

According to Mr. Liaqat Masih Program Officer CPIR, the sessions have been successful in saving lives, helping the drug addicts recover from their traumas and living with dignity.

Mr. Nadeem Yousaf (National Coordinator Humanitarian) appreciated the efforts of CPIR team and management team of school of hope for their service in spreading the light of knowledge to the impoverished community.