Peace Schools for Children - Pakistan

Peace School for Afghan Refugees and Host Communities

Report –August 2019

Nida student of 5th class is the eldest among the 3 sisters and 3 brothers living in a small rented place of Akram Park.  Her mother is working hard as a domestic house keeper and earns for the future of her children. The mother is committed to educate all her children so that they can earn a respected life and change the poverty cycle. Nida starts her day in helping her mother in household chores and then she joins the school. She is so keen and focused in her studies. Her father is working on daily wages in a nearby factory and both parents earns a little money after a hectic labour. Many times, they use to sleep hungry as the father earns nothing, the major chunk of her mother's income spend on the rent of their home and the utility bills. Nida used to help her mother in her job in weekends, and often look after her siblings in absence of her mother on weekends.  Nida has also participated in the speech competition held during Independence Day celebrations and she also won the prize. Her wish is to become a teacher in future so that she could educate many deserving children.

During the two and half month Summer vacations Nida tried to help her parents to earn some extra money. She also spent a good time in the summer school activities at Peace School where she was able to learn some good things which could help her at home.

During the summer school the students were engaged in the studies to cover their syllabus as well as to engage them in the extracurricular activities. The teachers took the art classes and arrange the sessions for the students. It was important during the sessions to keeping in view the surrounding factory area and increased incidents of the child abuse, teachers arrange orientations and sensitization sessions for the students. they also briefed them about the child protection methodologies. Nida and her friends enjoyed the summer school activities.

During the summer school there was also a story telling session at the Peace Schools, the main objective of the activity was to give exposure to the students about the different stories. Nida and all her friends at school enjoyed the participatory session and enjoyed that experience for the first time in life.  Their interest of reading books was seen by all the teachers and this session was very much appreciated by the parents. All the students were awarded with the different story books and game kits.

While the school reopened in the month of August Nida and her friends re-joined school her teacher told them that through FACES Pakistan now, we small library at school.  Nida and her friends were very happy to learn about this and told the teacher about their experience of summer school and summer holidays.

Nida enjoyed the celebrations of the 72^nd anniversary of Pakistan Independence Day on August 14, with traditional fervour and enthusiasm as several activities were arranged at Peace Schools to mark the occasion. All the students were briefed about the importance of Independence Day and its celebrations. Besides, the Peace Schools have arranged art exhibitions, declamation contests, national songs competitions and sports competition to mark the celebrations. Peace Schools children enjoyed the festive occasion with fireworks, face-painting, eccentric get-ups, and other fun and games. The students of the Peace School celebrated 72^nd Independence Day in a different way, they started a campaign of adopting the trees in the community and plant different trees in the surroundings, outside their homes and outside school. Some of the students of Peace School participated in the national song’s competition with reference to 72^nd Independence Day of Pakistan. Three of the best students of Peace Schools participated in the competition where they compete among the 71 students of different schools of Lahore. Two students of Peace School won prizes in this competition.

The FACES Pakistan’s Peace Schools have actively been engaged in planning and execution of programmes to add local colours to the events. Meanwhile, the Peace School buildings were also illuminated to celebrate the Independence Day. Special prayers were offered in mosques at dawn for peace, solidarity, and prosperity of the country.

As the school has reopened in the month of August and the new year term begins the 1075 students of the PEACE schools urgently need new books. FACES Pakistan PEACE School requests the donors to help our initiative so that the quality education and learning continues.  The children also need the new uniforms, bags, shoes and story books. Our current fundraising campaign is focusing on providing these basic needs of these students.

• Peace School - Global giving August 2019 photos (DOCX)

Peace School for Afghan Refugees and Host Communities

Report – May 2019

Iqra Kashif is 12 years old girl and she is a student of grade V of FACES Pakistan Peace School. She is the eldest among 6 sisters and one brother, her mother is house wife and the father is a rickshaw (Tuk Tuk) driver.  The monthly income of her father is around 15-20 thousand per month and the family has to survive with minimal income as they are also living in a rented house. The father of Iqra is a drug addict and he spend his 70 to 80% money on drugs usually. Due to the addiction, the family is suffering both economically and emotionally. The family is a victim of domestic violence as well. Her mother tried hard to settle her father but the efforts are not much effective. Iqra wanted to study and change her future through education and she joined FACES Peace School since the last 5 years. She is a quite intelligent student of FACES Peace School and is happy to be a part of FACES Peace school.

Five Students of FACES Pakistan peace school participated in the National Songs competition held at Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust regarding Pakistan day celebrations. One of the student won the special prize there.  Students efforts were very much appreciated by the organizers of the events. Our very own Iqra Kashif from FACES Pakistan Peace School received her Special Award that she participated at Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust competition. https://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/19-Mar-2019/996430?fbclid=IwAR1nHSOUf5LT9u4aOPTVUY28-7L2UUOdj_9QekiPoPgmWHzky7jgZdEzkNE#.XJhmvOH32N4.email

FACES Pakistan Peace school also participated in a Speech Competition at Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust, Lahore in connection with the "Pakistan Resolution Day" 18 Mar, 2019. Our very own Adul Wahab opened the ceremony by reciting the Holly Quran.

FACES Pakistan Peace School celebrated International Women’s Day. All girls with their mothers were invited to celebrate this joyous day. Discussion on women’s potential and how young girls can transform themselves into powerful individuals of our society. All females did rejoice in participating in fun activities to showcase their appreciation to all women of the world. On this special day, the school teachers and children together express their thoughts on empowering girls and women. Iqra Kashi and her friends were very thrilled to show their thoughts on the importance of the day. While explaining the relevance of International Women Day, teachers and students were told about how the empowerment of women and fulfilment of their human rights is a very important goal everyone should strive for, kids were also made aware of the challenges that women  face across the world and how they can start working towards easing their life starting today by treating them equally. Women everywhere are touched by a range of issues which may affect them differently depending upon where they live and the students were given an open floor to discuss how this made them feel and share their opinions. The International Day of the Women focuses attention on the need to address the challenges Women face and to promote Women’s empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.There is no question that Women can play a powerful asset to improve the ongoing conditions that our country faces. There should be no hindrance when it comes to their education or training.

FACES Pakistan Peace School Midterm Examination Week started in the month of  April where Iqra had to prove his abilities and work hard for his exams. It was time to open the books, study hard and fill the head with problem solving equation. Investing in education will grant your child a fighting chance to be successful later in life.

Hand wash activity organized at Peace schools Manzoor park, & Akram Park the objective was to introduce the students with the concept of hygiene practices and the benefits of hand wash. Iqra and her friends enjoyed this actvity very much and they also helped youngsters to learn how to do hand wash.

Iqra and her friends enjoyed different class activties that made them learn and perform. Specially she was quite happy to know about the friendly class activities and art activities held.

The management of the FACES Pakistan gave cash prizes to the participants of the speech and national song competition. The students who took a part in the competition also performed for their fellow students in the school where the proud parents of the students were also there to share the proud moment.

The FACES Pakistan’s PEACE Schools have actively been engaged in planning and execution of programmes to add local colours to all the events.

FACES Pakistan PEACE School requests the donors to help our initiative so that the quality education and learning continues.  The children also need the new uniforms, bags and shoes. Our current fundraising campaign is focusing on providing these basic needs of these students.

• PEACE Schools report May 2019- Photos (DOCX)