Over 3 million people were rendered homeless following the devastating October earthquake in Pakistan. Among the most affected are orphans and widows in the region. The rehabilitation and resettlement of these highly affected persons has been assumed by The Zakat Foundation and its local partner and has been supported by the local government.

The President of Pakistan, showing his deep concern for all affected, announced an initiative for these orphans and destitute women. This project, we lovingly call Ashiana. (Urdu for “Our Home”)

Situated about 45 minutes away from Islamabad, the complex was originally intended to be a community for the rail workers and engineers along with their families. The Pakistani government decided instead to turn over the entire facility to Zakat Foundation. Ashiana was inaugurated on November 18, 2005 by President Musharraf and UN Secretary General Koofi Annan. Ashiana complex is capable of housing a total of 1,000 orphans and 500 destitute women and widows.

 

The Mission

The mission of Ashiana is to provide housing, education, job training and medical care to orphans and single women affected by the earthquake. Our long-term objective is to help these victims to become independent and facilitate their re-integration into their home communities

Orphan Care

Ashiana provides housing for up to 1,000 orphans and education all the way to 10th grade. We have separated housing for girls and boys with complete recreation areas for both.

 

Medical Care

Our medical facilities provide a fully functional hospital with surgical wards, full laboratory and pharmacy with a complete staff compliment. There are also provisions to care for specially disabled persons.

 

Vocational Training

The vocational training center for women provides skill development courses for stitching, knitting, tie-dying, cooking and carpet weaving. In this way, women who have been victimized by the earthquake can become independent and strong survivors.

The cost of sponsoring an orphan is only $30 per month to provide his or her education, clothing and food.

The cost of providing for a widow or destitute woman is $100 per month to give her vocational training and eventually provide her independence following this great tragedy.

Hear and respond to our plea for aid in this great project; this beacon of hope to the hopeless and place of rebuilding for the nation of Pakistan.