By Malik Ashfaq Ahmad Shahid | Chief Executive
Dear Supporters, Donors, and Friends,
Disability should never determine a person's worth, opportunities, or future.
In Pakistan, many persons with disabilities continue to experience social exclusion, discrimination, limited employment opportunities, and financial dependency. In some families and communities, disability is unfortunately perceived as a liability rather than a difference in ability. As a result, talented individuals are sometimes overlooked, discouraged from pursuing education, or excluded from opportunities to become economically independent.
At Sanash Welfare Foundation (SWF), we believe that persons with disabilities deserve dignity, equal opportunities, financial independence, and the right to contribute meaningfully to society.
Our Disabled Individuals IT Capacity Building Livings project was designed to help turn that belief into practical opportunities through accessible Information Technology (IT) education, digital literacy, social media marketing, freelancing, and livelihood skills development.
Although the project has experienced unexpected delays, our mission remains unchanged.
Project Implementation Update: Regulatory and Banking Challenges
We believe our supporters deserve an honest explanation of the challenges affecting implementation.
Despite our continued efforts, Sanash Welfare Foundation has not yet been able to complete the establishment of an operational, fully compliant organizational bank account with the necessary Know Your Customer (KYC) verification and authorization arrangements for receiving and administering project funding in Pakistan.
The process involves multiple documentation, regulatory, financial, and tax-compliance requirements. Completing the necessary verification and banking procedures has taken considerably longer than anticipated.
These administrative and financial compliance challenges have directly affected our ability to receive and deploy international project funds through appropriate organizational banking channels.
Consequently, the planned IT training and capacity-building activities have not yet commenced.
We recognize that these delays are disappointing, particularly for persons with disabilities who are waiting for opportunities to develop skills and improve their livelihoods.
However, we remain committed to meeting the applicable legal, regulatory, financial, and accountability requirements before beginning funded project implementation.
Our priority is not simply to launch the project, but to ensure that it operates through transparent, compliant, and accountable financial arrangements.
Why This Project Matters More Than Ever
Imagine being a young person with the ambition to work, earn an income, and support your family, but being denied opportunities because of a disability.
Imagine having the ability to learn digital marketing, manage online businesses, provide virtual assistance, or work remotely, yet lacking access to a computer, internet connection, accessible training, or professional guidance.
For many persons with disabilities in underserved communities in Pakistan, these barriers can become obstacles to education, employment, and independence.
Our project seeks to address these challenges by creating pathways toward:
Our original project aims to provide capacity-building opportunities for 50 persons with disabilities, with an emphasis on skills that can be applied in the digital economy.
We believe that disability is not inability, and inclusion is not charity—it is a fundamental matter of human dignity and equal opportunity.
Our Commitment During the Delay
While the project's operational launch remains dependent on completing the necessary banking and regulatory requirements, our commitment to its objectives continues.
Our immediate priorities are to:
We will not announce the commencement of training activities or the achievement of beneficiary outcomes until these activities have actually taken place.
Once the required authorizations, banking arrangements, and sufficient resources are available, we intend to proceed with the initial implementation phase.
An Appeal to Our Global Community
Our project is delayed, but our determination is not.
We respectfully appeal to our international supporters, individual donors, corporate partners, philanthropic organizations, and members of the global disability inclusion community to continue standing with us.
Your continued encouragement, advocacy, and financial support through our GlobalGiving project can help strengthen the resources available for implementation once the necessary compliance arrangements are completed.
We particularly welcome support from:
Financial contributions are intended to support eligible project activities when the necessary financial and regulatory arrangements permit implementation. We will continue to communicate material developments transparently.
You can also support this initiative by sharing our project with friends, colleagues, employers, professional networks, and organizations committed to disability inclusion.
Your support today can help prepare opportunities for tomorrow.
Looking Ahead: From Exclusion to Empowerment
We envision a future in which a young person with a disability in Pakistan can learn digital skills, work remotely, earn an income, and participate in society with dignity and confidence.
A future where families recognize the capabilities of their members with disabilities.
A future where accessible technology creates opportunities instead of additional barriers.
And a future where disability does not determine whether someone can achieve financial independence.
We remain determined to transform this vision into action as soon as the required compliance and financial arrangements are in place.
Thank You for Keeping Hope Alive
To our existing donors, GlobalGiving supporters, and everyone who believes in our mission: thank you for your patience, trust, and continued encouragement.
We understand the importance of accountability and will continue to provide honest updates on our progress, challenges, and readiness to implement this initiative.
Together, we can challenge discrimination, promote disability rights, expand digital inclusion, and help build a society where every individual has the opportunity to live with dignity.
Help us turn digital skills into opportunity, opportunity into income, and income into independence.
#DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityRights #DigitalInclusion #EmpowerPersonsWithDisabilities #SkillsForIndependence #DigitalSkillsForAll #InclusiveEducation #EconomicEmpowerment #SustainableLivelihoods #LeaveNoOneBehind #EqualOpportunities #SupportPakistan #GlobalGiving #SanashWelfareFoundation #DonateForImpact
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