Empowering Dreams
From the Desk of Tauseef Siddiqi
Dear Supporter,
The first quarter of 2019 has been exciting. Our TCF volunteers and directors, who attended the Global Chapters Conference (GCC) held in Karachi in January 2019 were greatly inspired after hearing directly from TCF management, principals, teachers and students alike. The GCC was attended by TCF representatives from all over the world including, Canada, UK, Italy, Norway, and UAE. The objective of the conference was to bring all the volunteers and supporters together, provide an update on current programs, and share the future vison.
TCF-USA Sacramento Chapter leader Arshad Alvi with Tauseef at the Sacramento fundraising event
TCF Scores a Powerful Endorsement
Dr. Shashi Buluswar is the CEO of ITT (Institute for Transformative Technologies) and founder of the LIGTT Institute at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories. Dr. Buluswar who has advised leading charities across the world, writes why TCF is a model of excellence
Let me just put it out there: I’m Indian. Everyone knows that when it comes to anything Pakistani, there are very few things on which Indians will offer unsolicited compliments. Pretty much all of them have to do with cricket; specifically, Pakistani fast bowlers. Some Indians will even acknowledge, however grudgingly, that in a contest between the two Prime Ministers, Imran Khan may be a better swing bowler than Narendra Modi. So when an Indian zealously, profusely praises something Pakistani, you know it’s got to be good.
Over the years, I have advised and analyzed over 100 of the world’s leading NGOs working on health, education, food security, human rights, and other pressing issues. I can say — in no uncertain terms —that The Citizens Foundation is among the most effective NGOs anywhere in the world working on any issue; arguably, it is the world’s single most effective NGO in Education.
2019 is off to a Great Start!
From the Desk of Danial Noorani
Creating 2 Million Agents of Change
In January of this year, TCF supporters from all over the world gathered in Karachi for our Global Supporters’ Conference. The most important commitment that came out of this conference was a pledge to accelerate TCF’s educational programs to reach 2 million beneficiaries by 2030.
A Cause to Celebrate…and How!
Networking events with great food and camaraderie, comedy nights and annual galas – the events in 2019 have been nothing less than spectacular so far. The chapters have been steadfast in their efforts for community building, networking and providing support to TCF-USA and its endeavors.
A Long Awaited Visit
Seattle area residents, Jawad and Kaniz Khaki and the Khaki Foundation operated by the family with the help of their friends, built a TCF primary school in 2012 in Dhori Bachal, Naushehro Feroze, Sindh.
In 2015, an afternoon shift primary unit was started to meet the great demand at the Khaki Foundation’s Az Zaman Campus school. The first batch of children were getting ready to graduate from these primary schools by 2016. This led to The Khaki Foundation building a Secondary School, providing the children an invaluable opportunity to continue their education.
On April 11, the Khaki family woke up at 5:00 AM to make the long drive from Karachi to DhoriBachal for their first visit to their schools. While this was a long grueling day with over 10 hours of driving, the experience of getting to meet the hundreds of bright children and their dedicated teachers made it worthwhile for Jawad and Kaniz.
Their verdict as Jawad put it succinctly, “it was a wonderful visit.” The family thanked the TCF staff and said, “we are impressed and inspired by all your hard work.”
Leading from the Front
Farhat and Kashif Husain have spearheaded the volunteer program for years and have inspired our young supporters. They share their experience and insights on how passing on the baton to their dedicated and passionate team of young volunteers is about building tomorrow’s leaders!
Volunteers do not necessarily have the time they just have the heart. This is very true for all our volunteers at TCF. Our volunteers range in ages from 10 to 30 years, and they all come together for the benefit of the children of Pakistan.
We started working with the TCF Houston team from the inception of the Houston Chapter. Our original volunteer base was a group of our children’s friends. As the years went by, volunteering for TCF became a big attraction to young people whose parents were affiliated with TCF.
