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Pakistanis unite to educate the needy

Attended by more than 250 people, including prominent dignitaries and officials, the event drew supporters from across the Emirates who were briefed and updated on the rapid growth and expansion of the organisation since its inception in 1995.

“The UAE was our first international support group and that is why it’s always a pleasure to get together with our supporters and well-wishers at events such as these. We have received tremendous support from Pakistanis as well as non-Pakistanis in the UAE towards our cause of bringing high quality education to the most under privileged children of Pakistan,” said Mr Ahsan Salim, Chairman of TCF.

TCF is one of Pakistan’s most credible and successful non-profit organisations providing quality education to the most impoverished urban and rural areas of the country. Ateeq Riaz, CEO, and Mushtaq Chapra, Director, TCF, also flew in from Pakistan to attend the event.

A non-profit organisation, TCF was founded in 1995 and currently runs 180 primary and secondary school units in 21 locations all across Pakistan. More than 22,000 children are currently enrolled in its schools, with a male/female ratio of 50:50. It employs over 1,200 teachers, all of whom are women. All teachers undergo special pre-service training at the TCF Teachers Training Centre, located in Karachi. Another teacher training centre is currently under construction in the Punjab.

This year, TCF was granted official registration at the Dubai Humanitarian City. Apart from Pakistan, it is also a recognised charity for tax deduction in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Due to its ever-increasing reputation, TCF has support groups in various other countries around the world, including Canada, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. TCF is wholly supported by donations and support given by individuals, corporations and endowment trusts and receives no financial support from the government of Pakistan. The ultimate aim of the foundation is to build 1,000 schools all across Pakistan, providing quality education to 350,000 boys and girls, and equipping them with the wherewithal to realise their true potential and avail of socio-economic opportunities that had eluded their parents in the past.

• UAE