Canadian Asian News Canada April 15-30, 2013 Page 17

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TORONTO – The CitizensFoundation Canada (TCF Canada)held its eighth annual galafundraising dinner at the DreamsConvention Center in GTA lastweek. The sold-out event wasattended by more than 630 peoplewho came to listen to the TCFstory and how it is changingPakistan's educational landscapefor the underprivileged.

The speakers included theConsul General of Pakistan, MrMohammad Nafees Zakaria, MsUzma Shakir, Director, Office ofEquity, Diversity and HumanRights, City of Toronto, whodelivered the keynote address andreally captured the audience withher passionate and candid speech;and Ms Najma Shamsi, theFounding Director of TCF

Canada. These speakers were pre-ceded by a welcome address byMr. Aziz Rakla, President of TCFCanada, and a video message fromMr. Mushtaq Chapra, TCFChairman. The speakers empha-sized the urgent need for improv-ing the educational opportunitiesto millions of under served chil-dren from the slums and ruralareas of Pakistan.

Quoting numbers and statistics,they highlighted the gap that existsin the society and how some of thepresent problems Pakistan is fac-ing are directly attributable to the

sorry state of literacy in the coun-try. As a ray of hope, they pointedout the tremendous efforts TCF ismaking in improving the educa-tional opportunities for the masses.

The speakers also highlighted thefact that despite the wonderful jobdone by TCF, the need is fargreater and growing, and therefore,require the urgent attention of thePakistani diaspora whose volun-teer efforts as well as monetarysupport can make a big difference.

Consul General Zakaria in hisspeech also commended thedynamic efforts of The CitizensFoundation for promoting educa-tion in Pakistan. “The TCF is asuccess story, which has grownfrom five schools in 1994 to 910schools all over Pakistan current-ly. It has become the largest

national education program by anynon-profit, non-governmentorganization”. The significantgrowth of TCF schools, he added,is a manifestation of confidencethat the people in Pakistan andabroad have reposed in its trans-parent, successful self-sustainingmechanism and the credibility ofthose who are running it.

Mr Zakaria further said thatthe TCF is promoting the spiritof coexistence in a diversenation state of Pakistan. “Theunderlying objective is to bringnational harmony and lessen

disparities between the Havesand Haves-not. TCF has bene-fitted Balochis, Pashtuns,Sindhis, Punjabis, Hindus, andChristians even handedly”.

The Consul Ceneral pointed outthat the TCF schools are model inthe sense that the opportunitiesare for all regardless of religiousaffiliations, caste, creed, genderor sect. As for gender balance, theratio of boys to girls is 50:50. So,it addresses the issue that theinternational community oftenexpresses concern about or attimes even criticizes Pakistan.

“TCF also gives a comfort levelto all Pakistanis who are some-times posed with questionsregarding discrimination on reli-gious ground,” he said adding:“TCF has proved that there is no

discrimination. Just to cite anexample, Chak-58 FaisalabadSchools have 150 Christian chil-dren out of 301 students. It is acommon situation in other loca-tions as well. Likewise, in gov-ernment schools also one may notsee any discrimination”.

Mr Zakaria concluded with hispersonal message and appeal toall Pakistani community mem-bers: “Ilm Ki Roshni Ko agar HeiPhelanaTau Mere Humwatno Humein YehQadam Hei Aaj Hi Uthana.”

The evening included raffle drawsand other fund raising activitieswhich in conjunction with themoney raised through gala ticketsales, yielded in excess of$100,000 for TCF. The evening,which was emceed by a wellknown comedian, Ali Hassan,included a sit-down dinner. Theevent concluded with anenthralling performance by themusic group, The Avengers. About TCFTCF is a professionally managed,non-profit organization set up in1995 by a group of citizens con-cerned with the dismal state ofeducation in Pakistan. It is nowone of Pakistan's leading organiza-tions in the field of formal educa-tion. As of today, TCF has estab-lished 910 purpose-built schoolunits nationwide with an enrol-ment of 126,000 students. TCFencourages female enrolment andstrives to maintain a 50% femaleratio in most of its campuses. TCFhas an all-female faculty of about6,300 teachers.

The vision of TCF is to removebarriers of class and privilege andto make the citizens of PakistanAgents of Positive Change. TCFbelieves that access to basic edu-cation is the right of each individ-ual and not a privilege.

To achieve these goals, TCF isconstantly surveying education-deprived locations in Pakistan toextend its network. Each newlocation is appraised through an

extensive assessment of demo-graphics, income level, numberand standard of existing schools inthe area, availability of qualifiedteachers in the area and a numberof other criteria.

TCF Canada is a registered char-ity recognized by Canada RevenueAgency. All donations to TCFCanada are eligible for Canadiantax credit. TCF Canada is auditedby KPMG LLP and its auditedfinancial statements for past fiveyears are available atwww.TCFCanada.orgThe Citizens Foundation Canada islocated at: 1877 Featherston Drive,Mississauga, Ontario L5L 2T2Office: 1-905-607-2666 or 1-888-467-2552, Cell: 416-319-5929 email: tcfcan@hotmail.com

$100,000 raised for TCF shools in PakistanThe Citizens Foundation is a success story: Nafees Zakaria

Pakistani Consulate officials, other guests and hosts photographed at The Citizens Foundation’s eighth annual gala fundraising dinner at Dreams Convention Center

Uzma ShakirNafees Zakaria Aziz Rakla

Guests at TCF’s annual gala fundraising dinner at Dreams Convention Center

Ali Hassan