Dropout 500 Girls Back to High School in Pakistan

Manpower Pakistan Survey (2007-08), 21 million children of age group 10 to 14 are working in various sectors. The child labourers average income is Rs.1,500, which reflects that how they are being exploited. An estimated 1.2 million children are on the streets of Pakistan's major cities and urban centers.

# of free or low fees school available for these children, unfortunately, parents or children itself not willing to go school, the reason they support their families. 

In Kasur city of Pakistan, every third house is sending their children for work. Most of the children started force labour from age of 7 years or less. During the survey by Muwakhat foundation, found that 87% children facing health issues due to the malnourished and un-hygiene workplace. when the question was asked of children that are they willing to go to school and 93% responded "Yes". On other hand, parents responded 100% “yes" if someone helps to feed and bear the cost of education. further parents said that they have the same dream of future for their children as other parents, get a higher education, established business and well-settled life. Unfortunately unwillingly, we sending our children to save ourselves and them from fear of hunger and secure three times meal a day.

Real Case study:

Ulffat is 12 years old girl who started decorative work on clothes from age of 6 years. She studied till class 3 and her dream is be a pilot. Unfortunately, she left her education and joined her other two sisters at work. Their weekly earning is US $ 5 only and this money help to pay off debt taken from one of a financial institution for one of their sister's marriage.

Ulfat eyesight weak year by year because shining of decorative stuff on clothes and sunlight affected her eyes. Also, she has a consistent headache and muscular pain in shoulders, due to work long hours.

if she starts her education but cannot fulfill her dream "become a pilot" because her eyesight issue not curable. Like Ulffat, most of the forced labour children facing health issue.

Three positions holder sisters left school

Last Year, Rehana and her two sisters got the first position in the school. They forcefully left school due to financial crises, their father’s health does not allow to work more than two hours. Rehana and her two sisters started embroidery and decorative work on party clothes. They weekly earn US10 for feed their family. Rehana wants to be a teacher and she believes on her dream.

PROJECT “ 500 dropout Girls back to school”

Muwakhat Foundation started to help girls for rejoin school and fulfill their dreams. Under this project Girl and her family support to

1) provide a food package US 15 dollar per month against one child allowed to send school.

2) provide family health insurance coverage US$ 20 for 12 months 

3) provide admission fee, books, shoes, school bags for child

4) provide monthly school fee US$ 10 for a child

We believe that together can bring smile on child by " say no to child forced labour and yes for education"