I was watching a news channel today when I came across this small documentary about Citizens’ Education Development Foundation (CEDF).
I was moved by the efforts these guys are putting into promoting education among under-privileged children.
Now THAT’s the basics of Islamic teachings.
How unfortunate that we will see all those zakat and sadqa money going to violent madressahs but not to these bastions of light.
Citizen’s Education Development Foundation Pakistan
Home Schools:
The teachers of these home schools are young girls of 16 to 20 years, with a 9thgrade to metric level education. The teachers are instructed on teaching methods and provided with a list of goals set out in the
curriculum designed by the CEDF. These girls are allowed to work as teachers by their conservative families since the home schools are located in their own homes. Eachschool runs a two hour shift with about 20 to 25 students of which about 50 percent are girls. The CEDF pays the teacher’s salary and rent for the room.
http://www.cedfpakistan.com/3.jpg?003DCF23
Mobile Schools:
In 1993, a mobile school service was inaugurated.
A large used reconditioned bus was purchased with donations, and converted into a classroom with a blackboard, desks and chairs for 24 children. The outside was gaily painted with attractive pictures. After seven years of service the old bus become so dilapidated and un repairable that it had to be sold and a drive for collecting donations for purchasing a new bus was initiated in 2000. The required amount was collected through the hard work of our members and the generosity of our friends and many donors.
The Hino Bus Corporation was approached and agreed to design a bus as a mobile school, fitted with desks, chairs, ceiling fans, water cooler and a foldable writing screen. The order was placed in January 2001 and the bus was built to our requirements and specifications and finally delivered to us in May 2001. Thanks to a group of volunteers the gaily painted and colorful art work on the exterior of the bus was completed in June. The bus has been registered and exempted from tax. The inauguration of the New Mobile School Bus was performed at the D.H.A Sunset Club on 4 September 2001. The bus is parked in an empty lot in D.H.A and driven out to the same areas every day except Sunday, doing four shifts a day.
http://www.cedfpakistan.com/8.jpg?00637AFB
Student Sponsorship:
Every year the students who have finished a year of studying at the home and mobile schools are prepared for admission into government schools and become a part of this program. They are provided with books and uniforms every school year, so that they can continue with their education. The progress of these students is monitored and they are encourage to continue with their education till as far as they will go
http://www.cedfpakistan.com/5.jpg?0054492D