Overlooking my house in the posh locality of Westridge-1, I saw a garbage dump where children came from early morning looking for anything worth their use and often eating the left over food which had been thrown away. This played havoc with my conscience. Eventually I promised myself to bring in some difference to their lives through education. It was not easy to convince these children that education was important as they were free spirits who lived from day to day. However, after a lot of persuasion and effort I succeeded in getting only a few of them to come to my house to study.

Rah-e-Amal School was started on 15th April 1998 in the porch of my rented house. It began with five children. At first they sat on the floor, then on mats and later they had small desks - and the numbers gradually increased.

Rah-e-Amal School was the recipient of matching grant from The Rotary Foundation partnered by Rotary Club of Hexam, UK., Disst. 1030 and Rotary Club of Rawalpindi Central, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Distt. 3270. This was a great help in meeting the need of essential training aids etc. Some of the items provided under this matching grant included Computers, Laser Printers, UPS for Computers, Furniture items for Computer Lab, Geysers, Stationery, Public Address System for morning assembly and school functions, ceiling fans and sewing machines etc for vocational training. The school is indeed indebted for this generous grant from the Rotary Foundation, Rotary Club of Hexham, UK and Rotary Club of Rawalpindi Central, Rawalpindi. The matching grant project was closely coordinated by Rtn. Zahiruddin Khan.



“There is a need for schools like this throughout the whole country. The problems of depression, sadness and violence would greatly diminish because people in our world would learn to share and care for each other, hence they would forget about themselves and always be ready to be there for others. There are many who are trying to be better than others, to have more than others etc. Unselfishness is the key to solving this problem! Here at Rah-e-Amal we are not in competition with others. We simply are here to do our best in our given circumstances and we keep trying to improve our standards and values”.

The children gradually grew in confidence and trust as they began to realize that this was a safe environment and a place where they were always treated with respect and love. Inter-faith harmony is a one of the basic values here at Rah-e-Amal. Children are accepted here basically because they are human beings in need of love and compassion. Our experience has shown that the children can be motivated only through love, affection and security.

We are on the Move…
On 10th June, 1999 we moved to another house and all the children moved with us. By this time thirty five children were attending the school.



The school is completely free. It is run entirely on donations and community support. The students are provided with uniforms, books, stationery, medical care and nutrition.


Meal times are happy times!

On 1st June,2001, we moved yet again. This time the school was in the open plot adjacent to my house. By 2008 the school had around 200 children (boys and girls) who sat in the open in all seasons.

They are street children who waste the very purpose of life by roaming aimlessly. They are completely oblivious of the vulnerability of such exposure at the hands of drug traffickers, murderers, terrorists and other criminals. And so we aim to make this school a haven where these children learn more and more about the true purpose of life. The school has eleven classes – Prep to Class 10. Children are admitted on a need basis – hence there is a variation of ages in every class.

Whatever the weather, rain, hail or shine, the school continued to function in the open without a roof over their heads.

In this world of insecurity and difficulties Rah-e-Amal helps the students to form the foundation for self esteem and self confidence. The school has played a pivotal role in developing in its students honesty and hard work.  The school has given them a sense of responsibility by teaching them the concept of sharing and giving. They can build up this nation by their honesty, courage, gratitude, hard work, respect for themselves, others and their environment, sense of responsibility, happiness even in the face of difficulties, sharing and caring with good intentions and good actions.


There are so many wonderful lessons to be learnt!

The students are able to gain valuable insights into the world around them and they also have had the opportunity to enjoy some fun times together.

After ten years at this stage, Rah-e-Amal has been institutionalized with its own building donated by a philanthropist where facilities are also provided for vocational training.

After school hours most of the students work as laborers, domestic helpers, mechanic, plumbers, tailor etc. Thus they continue to provide additional income in running their households.

The education in Rah-e-Amal School is supported by volunteers in a big way. We have some regular volunteers who are highly qualified and experienced persons. Their services are invaluable and are provided without any remuneration.
 
Founders

Ms. Zehra Syed
Mr. Fasahat H.Syed
Mr. Imran Syed
Mr. Irfan Syed
Mr. Salman Syed

Volunteers

The presently active volunteers are:
Ms. Zehra Syed
Ms. Hushmat Husain
Ms. Kanwal Syed
Ms. Razia Hayat
Ms. Samia Tariq
Dr. Tehmina Azhar
Ms. Uzma Azam Yusuf
Ms. Furrukh Farooq
Ms. Ishrat Hyatt
Ms. Tess Flanagan
Ms. Memona Gulraiz

We have many other volunteers: Ms. Seema Mufti, Ms. Iqbal Raza, Ms. Rafi, Ms. Fasiha Talal, Ms. Aliya Imdad, Rtn. Zaheeruddin Khan , Mr. Fasahat H. Syed, Ms. Amna Peerzada, Ms. Shyama Newton, Ms. Ingirid Harmson, Ms. Terese and Sister Bev.

One of our talented teachers Ms. Nosheen made a significant contribution to the school by writing and composing the School Song.

The process of learning is mutual. We have also learnt from these children. They have taught us to smile even when one has nothing as an example when the doctor advised one child to take his medicine with each meal of the day, the child replied “But we only have one meal each day”… to wear one set of clothes for the whole year without complaining… to be grateful for very small things… to be able to share with each other even though one has so little to oneself.

All efforts are made to provide these children with quality education including the use of computers. The most satisfying part is that the children have found purpose and happiness in their lives.

We are happy to observe the change in the character qualities of Rah-e-Amal students. Initially when asked about their future plans they would say “I want to be a sweeper in a government office”, but now, after their exposure in Rah-e-Amal they want to be doctors, engineers, etc.

We seldom understand that giving and sharing is a process of mutual benefit – these deprived children have made us realize the value of God’s Blessings.

May Allah continue to Bless Rah-e-Amal and all those who enter its space!