PREVIOUS PROJECTS

As a result of military operation launched by the Government of Pakistan in 2009-2010 as a part of its fight against terrorism, thousands of residents from Swat, Waziristan and Malakand were displaced. People had to take refuge in tents and temporary shelters in Peshawar and Southern regions of Pakistan. As an emergency response, we identified three camps in Tarlai Chowk, Bara Kahu and Tofkian, Khanpur. For six months 1200 people of these camps were given food packages containing oil, flour, lentils, sugar, tea along with summer clothes and fans.

Sehberg Trust executed various relief activities in flood affected areas of district Charsadda and Nowshera namely in Dildar Garhi, Darya Garhi, Akberabad, Pushtoon Garhi, Pir Sabak, Chowky Drab and Kaptan Kalay. Limited initiatives were also taken in one of the village in Sargodha. We also performed some activities in collaboration with Humanity First, Islamabad Jeep Club, Pakistan Relief and Pakistan Fellows to fulfill our cause more effectively.

Relief Activities at Dildar Garhi:

Dildar Garhi, situated at the bank of Swat River, was worst hit by flooding. It became difficult to access the area for relief activities because one end of Dildar Garhi Bridge was completely damaged.

Sehberg facilitated 250 families with food packets containing 1 kg sugar, quarter kg black tea, 8 packs of 200 ml milk, flour, oil, daal and ten roghni nans plus 20 liters cans filled with clean water and chlorine tablets to make the water safe for at least ten days. Along with these food packets, we distributed clothes and shoes for Eid in various relief camps that have already been established. For the flood affected children, we dispersed Bangles and Mehndi for little girls and toys for little boys. Humanity first provided dates, biscuits and dry fruits to the identified familes while food rations like oil, flour and lentils were provided by Pakistan Fellows.

Relief Activities at Pashtoon Garhi:

Pashtoon Garhi is located about 2 km away from the GT road and hence was still accessible despite the rains. It was an area which had incurred a lot of damage and where portable water and food was one of the top priorities. Most of the houses were totally collapsed and the flood had washed away all their belongings. The only thing the survivors were left with was the clothes on their back. The houses which stood were filled with mud and water level had risen at least 15 feet during the floods. With the help of a local resident, a lot of effective emergency relief was provided. Sehberg Trust is thankful of Major Saboor, who helped us to increase relief radius. He had put together a team of about 10 volunteers, most of them with an army background; they were trained in the hazards of using flood water for drinking or cooking, filtration of murky water and use of chlorine tablets for water purification. Following that 210 five gallon cans of water were distributed to the residents of the village on a basis of one can per family. Islamabad Jeep Club had also arranged food for 250 people. Along with this, Pakistan Relief had arranged a Medical Camp with 5 doctors and they provided basic first aid along with health checkups to about 300 patients.

Rehabilitation of Identified Families of Charsadda

Sehberg Trust worked in three areas of Charsadda: Dildar Garhi, Darya Garhi and Akberabad. 150 families from these areas have been identified as poorest of poor and will be adopted jointly by Sehberg, For Humanity and Pakistan Fellows.

We are now focusing on the rehabilitation of these families and would provide assistance in food, clothing, household items livelihood and reconstruction

Sehberg Trust also provided the following to 150 families (approx. 1000 persons):

• Ration for Eid (includes 2.5 litre oil, 10 kg flour, .5 kg powdered milk, .5 kg tea, 4 kg sugar, saviyan, 5 kg rice)
• Clothes for Women
• Clothes for Children (0-12 Years)
• A hygiene pack (including 3 towels, 2 pcs Life Buoy Soap, 2 pcs Sufi soap, comb)
• Bangles and Mehndi for girls.

Provision of safe Water Supply to Flood Affected Areas:

In order to prevent diseases after flood especially diarrhea, typhoid and skin infections, we planned to provide safe water along with the necessary material for the emergency disinfection of water.

Safe water is required in all areas, but keeping in view the logistics and local network, Trust focused on the areas of Mianwali and Nowshera. We provided 20 liter re-usable jerry cans initially filled with safe water and for the next ten days, disinfecting water material from local source such as filter cloth, chlorine tablets and an extra utensil per family for storage of water in these araes.

Sehberg is especially thankful to Sq.Ldr. Imran and Major Nasr who assisted for disinfection of wells in Nowshera, Charsadda and Kamra.

Sehberg Trust believes that facilitating entry of one family member into a mainstream profession goes a long way in pulling a family out of the vicious cycle of poverty and social exclusion. Therefore it helps in career development of students from underprivileged backgrounds.

Every year ‘Sehberg Shine’ scholarships are given to a limited number of students. Bright and talented students are selected and transferred to good quality institutions after receiving coaching especially in English language for required time period. The scholarship includes financial support not only for their tuition fees but also for books, uniform, transport and accommodation where needed. In addition, these students are provided supervision and mentorship which helps them to adjust to this transition into good quality institutions.

The basic criterion for this scholarship is that:

• Talented and self motivated student as per interview test conducted by Trust.
• No professional and educational background of parents/siblings
• Low income group (>3000 per month)
• Consistent top 5 positions in last 5 years

For such assistance no return or obligation is required but Trust wants to motivate such students to spend some of their time in teaching or assistance to other students. All the funding is collected from friends and family members Trust doesn’t take help from any other institute.

Ensuring the provision of safe drinking water to all citizens is one the basic and constitutional responsibilities of State. Unfortunately, Pakistan is now being considered among Water Stress Countries as water availability in Pakistan has decreased from 5000 cubic meters per capita in 1950s to 1000 cubic meters per capita in 2007, mainly due to increase in population, inefficient irrigation, ill planning of water resource management, corruption and unequal water rights (Asian Development Bank).

More than 70% of the total population in Pakistan does not have access to safe drinking water

According to a report published by UNICEF, more than 70,000 children die every year due to diarrhea and other diseases related to unsafe water and poor sanitation facilities.

As of 2005, approximately 38.5 million people lacked access to safe drinking water source in Pakistan.

By year 2015, if this trend continues, 52.8 million people will be deprived of safe drinking

Only 0.2% of the total GDP is allocated to provide such a vital facility of water and sanitation to citizenry whereby more than 50% of the allocated resources go waste because of ill planning and corruption.

The project has three main objectives:

• To raise awareness among school administration and students, hospital staff regarding water borne diseases and their prevention.
• To analyze the existing water supply of educational and health institutions and assisting them in ensuring safe water supply.
• To ensure the availability of existing and new safe water sources with help of local community and philanthropists.

Currently, various communities are being provided with safe drinking water by putting in hand pumps and filtration where required.

Volunteer Kids is the oldest project of Sehberg Trust running since 2005. It was started by children and is for children. After the Earthquake of 2005, a group of young volunteers ranging in age from 5 years to 15 years started a campaign by the name of “One Bag, One Child” which provided school bags to hundreds of affectees and later on lead to other activities. Ever since then, youth has formed a very large part of the volunteer base of Sehberg Trust.

If we want a bright future for Pakistan, it is important to inculcate a spirit of volunteerism in children and the earlier it starts the better it is. Kids have a natural tendency to enjoy giving to others, which starts with empathy and compassion. Early volunteering experiences empower and create a lasting influence well into adulthood. Through volunteering, children can become a valuable contributor to their constantly changing society. Research has shown that children who serve others are less likely to become involved in at-risk behaviors. It heightens their psychological, social and development and teaches them life skills.

VK involves children in various activities ranging from simply interacting with less privileged children in Sports Events to organizing and management of these events and even fund raising for them. Youth from urban as well as rural areas are motivated to offer their volunteer services in the areas of their expertise. This increases their confidence, builds sense of self worth and achievement in addition to strengthening of their capacities. Currently, volunteers are involved in organization, management, media, fund raising, medical camps, health awareness campaigns, sports events, teaching and mentoring of other children / youth. Partnerships with various urban and rural schools are being forged in order to foster this spirit of volunteerism.

After the earthquake of 2005, many initiatives were taken to minimize the problems of affected peoples.

Construction of Houses in Balakot:

30 houses were constructed in Jabori, Union Council Bhoonja, Balakot, a village with extremely difficult accessibility due to its location and harsh weather conditions.

These houses provided shelter to 356 people during the winters of 2005-2006. This was only possible with the help of Pakistani families and friends living in Pakistan, USA, UK, and the participation of local residents in building these shelters. In addition, these families were provided with food, medicines and clothing for next six months.

Provision of Basic Items to Earthquake Victims:

In the affected areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Nathiagali, Balakot and Allai, we provided tents, food packs containing all basic items of food, warm clothes & shoes, blankets and other items of every day use to more than 1200 families.

Launching of project "Volunteer Kids":

We launched a project ‘Volunteer Kids’ (VK) with the slogan ‘One Bag, One Child’ in a number of private schools in Islamabad in which young children from the age of 3-13 years donated a school bag each filled with books, stationary, toys, candies and hand-made / hand-written cards. 750 school bags were collected and distributed among the children of Balakot.

The V.K. Celebrated Eid-ul-Fitar with the residents of the Medical Camp established at Ayub Medical Complex where a magic show was arranged for the children. Eid gifts were also distributed to them and a hot lunch served to approximately 150 people.

In 2008, there was an acute shortage of flour in the country which led to a sharp increased in the price of “Roti” (Local bread). A soup kitchen was established in front of Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad to provide food to the attendants of patients. An average of 60 people a day received dinner during the entire month of Ramadan. This project leads to the inspiration of establishment of many other soup kitchens in the city.