Peace Schools for Children - Pakistan

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)