Ensuring quality education for daughters is crucial for progress: Afridi's stance
Loose in Karachi: Sports Legend, Social Pioneer Shahid Afridi Sparks Education Revolution
Shahid Afridi, the cricket ace and philanthropic powerhouse of Pakistan, set the stage alight at a momentous gathering, championing quality education for the daughters of struggling families as the key to unlocking Pakistan's potential for prosperity.
Addressing the audience as the esteemed guest of honor at a joint event graciously hosted by the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) and the Green Crescent Trust (GCT), Afridi emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap in education for underprivileged girls, asserting that the future welfare of Pakistan hinges on their enlightenment.
"Development in Pakistan will forever remain incomplete if we neglect the education of our girls from underserved communities," Afridi declared, visibly moved by the cause that has captured his heart for over eight years, ever since SAF partnered with GCT to provide access to quality education for children in remote and marginalized regions.
In light of a staggering 25 million children aged five to 16 currently out of school in Pakistan, Afridi placed an urgent emphasis on the need for enrollment drives across the education sector. "Urgent action is required, and charities must step up to the plate to make a difference," he urged, appealing to non-governmental organizations and generous donors to extend their reach into the challenging terrains of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The affable sports icon thanked Pakistan's security forces for their steadfast support in facilitating SAF's humanitarian work in the face of adversity, and expressing appreciation for the courage displayed by the dedicated education warriors working tirelessly for a brighter tomorrow.
In addition to the educational initiatives already underway, Afridi revealed that SAF will soon embark on another mission to provide housing for homeless individuals across Sindh and Balochistan communities.
In the spirit of unity and collaboration for a worthy cause, GCT CEO Zahid Saeed highlighted Pakistan's economic challenges and underscored the power of education to overcome them. "Charities like SAF and GCT, along with the support of generous donors nationwide, are the keys to creating lasting positive change in our country," Saeed asserted.
GCT has been tirelessly working to provide quality education to underprivileged children in Sindh since its inception 31 years ago. With over 170 schools already established in remote and deprived areas, the organization aims to scale up its network to 250 institutions, aiming to admit 100,000 out-of-school children by the year 2030. This ambitious expansion includes plans to extend beyond Sindh and establish schools in Balochistan and Punjab.
The event, expertly emceed by renowned TV host and comedian Shafaat Ali, received overwhelming support from the attending business leaders and philanthropists, who lauded the extraordinary generosity displayed by industrialists in backing the SAF-GCT campaign for quality education in underprivileged communities.
As the celebration drew to a close, Zahid Saeed extended an invitation to other prominent NGOs and celebrities to join forces with GCT and SAF in their school education projects, promising that GCT is currently audited by top global and local accounting firms and holds all necessary government approvals.
In conclusion, the ongoing partnership between SAF and GCT continues to make significant strides in addressing the educational needs of underprivileged children, with a particular emphasis on ensuring quality education for girls in remote and marginalized communities.
"Shahid Afridi, in his address, emphasized the importance of personal growth and education-and-self-development, particularly for underprivileged girls, stating that the future welfare of Pakistan depends on their enlightenment as a means to unlock its potential for prosperity."
"In an effort to achieve their ambitious expansion plans, the Green Crescent Trust, a long-standing educator in Sindh, aims to scale up its network of quality schools to 250 institutions, admitting 100,000 out-of-school children by 2030, with a focus on both self-development and education-and-self-development for girls in remote and marginalized communities."
