Aini Hali
\nMashal Association was formed in Islamabad by Mrs. Shahida Azim and a group of ladies in 1986. It was officially recognized and registered as a social welfare association working for the empowerment of women in the rural area around Islamabad through economic, cultural, health, education and environment improvement by training and creating greater awareness among the underprivileged sections of society. It is a non-political, non-sectarian voluntary social welfare organization.
\nThe charitable association has an approved Constitution with a Mission Statement of bringing a meaningful change in the lives of girls and women in the community \u2013 through education, employability and entrepreneur skills.
\nMashal Association comprises fifty-five volunteer ladies, who are octogenarians, septuagenarians or sexagenarians out of whom fifteen members are elected through a transparent, free and fair election for a period of three years to form a core committee to take executive decisions through consensus. An elected duo of treasurers manages the finances and accounts of the donations and endowments, which are regularly audited by an independent group of chartered accountants.
\nEducation Department operates the school, which has a capacity of 300 students and imparts education to the girls up to Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) level, provides uniforms, books and even pick-and-drop to the students to encourage the lower income strata to send their daughters to the school.
\nThe curriculum taught is that of the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Islamabad. The Principal and teachers are paid staff but are helped by some voluntary members having a background in education, who also undertake Teachers\u2019 Training to improve the skill level of the instruction staff. The members also provide student counselling for any problem solving when required. The students are encouraged to take part in different activities and are also taken for field trips. Sponsorship programs enable benevolent donors to bequeath funds to manage the tuition fees, cost of books, uniforms for the students and even the salary of the teachers..
\nNo government organization provides any funding. The capital for Mashal comes through donations from the members and endowments from \u201cFriends of Mashal.\u201d Recently, generous Friends of Mashal provided a new school van to replace one of the aging vehicles in the \u201cTransport for Education\u201d scheme, while another member donated 150 uniforms for the students and yet another provided computers and furniture for the computer lab.
\nA Montessori section for thirty-five students has been set up by a donor while a Library has been added. It is heartening that the 2023 Matric result of Mashal School was 100 percent.
\nMedical Department addresses the health issues of the community. Volunteer Doctors, Medical Specialists, Radiologists and Nurses man the various sections of this Department. An Outpatient Department (OPD) examines and treats patients regularly; a five-bed hospital caters to the needs of serious patients, while Ultrasound and other facilities provide service to the community.
\nMashal Members and Friends of Mashal donate medicines and lifesaving drugs for the patients. Vaccination, inoculation and preventive medicines are administered to the needy free of cost.
\nThe Medical Department organizes bi-weekly health seminars, labeled as \u201cMehfil\u201d where experts from other institutions along with doctors from Mashal impart lectures on health issues.
\nThe Vocational Center offers Diplomas and courses in different disciplines with a view to making the enrolled women capable of sustaining themselves financially. The handicrafts section develops different products in home linen which are sold at exhibitions and the Bazars organized by Mashal itself. Besides regular courses, special camps are held during the summer vacations to impart skills in stitching, embroidery, knitting and sewing to girls which would make them financially independent. A thrift shop aptly named \u201cMeherban Dukan\u201d offers household items and apparel donated by members and friends of Mashal at reasonable prices to the members of the community.
\nComputer courses, baking, cooking, catering and grooming classes equip the students to earn a livelihood, find placement in the job market or supplement their income for leading a better life.
\nMashal Association does not rely solely on the donations by members or Friends of Mashal but also organizes fund raising events, which generate funds for the operation of Mashal Association.
\nDuring every calamity, Mashal Association members have not demurred from coming to the aid of the affected.
\nIn short, Mashal Association is not just a benevolent organization for the less fortunate members of the society but is a stamp of confidence for those who are willing to carry the torch of hope forward.<\/p>\n
The Author is Director Communications of Mashal Association<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Aini Hali Mashal Association was formed in Islamabad by Mrs. Shahida Azim and a group of ladies in 1986. It was officially recognized and registered as a social welfare association working for the empowerment of women in the rural area around Islamabad through economic, cultural, health, education and environment improvement by training and creating greater […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":352750,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-352723","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-editorial","8":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n