Peace Schools for Children - Pakistan

Peace School for Afghan Refugees and Host Communities

Report – February 2019

Imad Khan a silent but a very intelligent student of Peace School is a student of grade IV. He is very happy to be a part of Interesting school activities. He has two younger sisters one of them is also studying in Peace School, Imad’s mother is a widow since the last two years. Imad’s mother is doing a private job in a nearby factory on daily wages. Imad helps her mother at home and guides his sisters for home work.

Imad enjoyed the Children’s Day celebrations this time he also understood the significance of children's day which is celebrated on 14th November every year. Children are adorable and their day was celebrated at Peace school. Principal said that children are like divine gifts that parents get from the almighty. Their eyes are full of innocence. They smile when they receive love and admiration, they cry when it is their first day at school away from their parents, they giggle when they mingle with their buddies, and they signify nothing but the pure and faithful love. Children's day celebration was fun for the Imad and his friends but it was also important for the parents too. Every parent must understand the importance of the children's day. Parents should be well aware about the little desires as any problematic facts of their children.

FACES Pakistan Peace School Midterm Examination Week started where Imad 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.

In the month of December 2018 International Day of Girl Child was celebrated at the Peace School. On this special day, the school teachers and children together express their thoughts on empowering girls. Imad and his friends were very thrilled to show their thoughts on the importance of the day. While explaining the relevance of International Day of Girl Child, teachers and students were told about how the empowerment of girls and fulfilment of their human rights is a very important goal everyone should strive for, kids were also made aware of the challenges that girls face across the world and how they can start working towards easing their life starting today by treating them equally. Girls 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. Teachers shared with students that on December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

FACES Pakistan Peace School celebrates International Day of the Girl Child 2018. Mothers of the children were asked to attend a session, in which they had a thorough discussion on the welfare and potential futuristic goals of the girls. There is no question that girls 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.

Families should be the first who should show their dedication and support to enhance their own girls learning opportunities. There potential is endless if they just achieve proper training and good education, they have the ability to solve global challenges, play a hand in innovating technology and even become a recognized figure heads in the society. Support from the family can go a long way in setting your daughter in a brighter and positive path.

FACES Pakistan collaborated with Primary and Secondary Health department and organized camps for Measles and Polio vaccination for Peace school students and children for community. An awareness session was also arranged to provide the awareness about vaccination to parents. Health department team said that repeated vaccination at short intervals enhances the child's ability to resist the polio disease. Pulse polio vaccination helps to protect your child against polio only. Routine immunization vaccines protect against other diseases also, such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles etc. team shared that Immunizations can save your child’s life. Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, have been eliminated completely and others are close to extinction– primarily due to safe and effective vaccines. Team said that Vaccination is very safe and is highly effective to attain quick Immunization in order to protects the children from different diseases.

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 -Feb 2019-Photos (DOCX)

Peace School for Afghan Refugees and Host Communities Report – November 2018

Fizza Ahmed is an intelligent and most cooperative girl in the Peace School, who always tries to help other students and tries to learn a lot of new study techniques in the PEACE School. Her father died while she was 5 years old, she has two elder sisters. Her mother is the only hope that keeps them alive, while she is working as a housemaid. Fizza’s mother while she came in parent teacher meeting last time told the teachers that due to Peace School Fizza’s has a very nice and cooperative attitude.

Fizza’s re-joined the school after the summer vacations, she enjoyed the celebrations of the 71st 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. Besides, the PEACE Schools distributed new books among all the students.

FACES Pakistan has collaborated again with the extremely kind and generous Sozo World Cinema after the screening of Gluco, Allahyar & The Legend of Markhor, which the underprivileged children of our Peace School had an opportunity to enjoy, these are children who had never watched animated children's shows or movie ever nor own a television screen. This time Fizza and all her school friends had a one-day trip to the Sozo Water Park for 270 children who refused to leave because they had never seen so much water, they could play in. One student shouted in excitement "What a big 'Chappar' (a rainwater pond usually dirty used for animals)" The teachers explained to them that these are large pools to play in! The excitement and joy are valuable and truly priceless.

FACES Pakistan celebrated International Literacy Day and it has been most rewarding for our organization and its partners to have contributed to Pakistan's literacy since 2007. Our schools have educated almost 10,000 children to date and we have provided adult literacy support to around 8,000 adult men and women engaged in our various livelihoods and skill development programs. Fizza and her friends enjoyed Defence Day celebrations by brilliant students and teachers. Special prayers were offered in mosques at dawn for peace, solidarity, and prosperity of the country. May you continue to shine and be the future Pakistan earnestly needs!

SDG 6 calls for clean water and sanitation: "Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in and there is sufficient fresh water on the planet to achieve this. However, due to bad economics or poor infrastructure, millions of people including children die every year from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene." FACES Pakistan held a hand-washing day activity with the children of the Peace School who live in impoverished parts of urban Lahore. "SDG 3 is the health-related Goal “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”, and while WHO takes the leadership role in supporting countries to achieve

SDG 3, health plays a fundamental role in development and is linked to some targets under SDGs 6, 7 and 11. " FACES Pakistan and the Ministry of Health organised a polio campaign to ensure the health and safety of the residents of the Manzoor Park area where hundreds of children and adolescents benefit from our free school and vocational training.

Peace School celebrated "Teachers Day " There is no question that teachers play an essential part in a student’s life. They equip them with the necessary skills to be responsible citizen of the society, assist them in enhancing their cognitive abilities and so much more. Therefore, in order to recognize and appreciate the teacher’s valid efforts Peace School celebrates "Teachers Day" at Peace Schools all branches.

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 School Report - November 2018 photos (DOCX)