Underprivileged kids get a sporting opportunity

Published in Pakistan Observer initially

Sana Jamal

Islamabad – Until recently school only meant books and homework for the kids of an open-air school in F-6/3 Islamabad. But now they have discovered a new and exciting way of learning through sport and play. “This is the first time I am playing football, learning game rules and enjoying it more than the lessons in books” 14-year-old Farhat Abbas explained excitedly.

A child shows off his football skills to his colleagues
at a summer camp in Islamabad.

The week-long free summer camp for neglected kids was held at Ayub Park School, managed by Master Mohammad Ayub for the last 28 years, where over 260 kids are studying for free. Master Ayub told this scribe that it was for the time an organization has arranged a play activity in his school. “I can imagine how important it is for kids with little or no resources to remain engage in some kind of physical activity.”

Children’s Film Festival captivates Islamabad

86 Brilliant films from 32 Countries

Sana Jamal

To celebrate the world cultures, a first-of-its-kind Children's Film Festival was arranged in the capital city that was an absolute treat for the kids, and film buffs. For children, the festivity was a doorway to the magical world of films that sprinkled little magic, heroism, laughter, honesty that our lives are lacking. The films filled them with hope that things will get better, good can vanquish evil and inspired kids to make all their dreams, however scary, a reality.

Kids discover Joys of Reading & Writing at Literary Fest

First-ever Children’s Literature Festival in Islamabad 

Sana Jamal

Islamabad - Braving a burning sun and intense heat wave, hundreds of children arrived at the first-ever Islamabad Children's Literary Festival to celebrate the wonders of literature. Tales of remarkable characters and traditions, playful puppets, ancient art of pottery Making as well as films, music and theatre shows took the kids on an enchanting journey of knowledge.

Featuring various interactive readings, discussions and workshops by famous children’s authors and poets in addition to book launches, book fairs, creative writing and book-making, the first-day of the Literary Fest was a day packed with literature geared for kids from play-school to college level. The festival was also a chance to connect young readers and authors. Young ones were seen going from author to artist to illustrator, eager to learn the craft of storytelling and painting.

Pakistani Youth – most effective force for development

Sana Jamal

Islamabad – Pakistan, a country with youth bulge, has an opportunity of a lifetime to plan a healthy and prosperous future by transforming the youth potential into a driving force of development. Yet this prospect of a demographic dividend must be realised swiftly. “If right investments in young people are not made right away, then the youth bulge will become a demographic bomb,” because a large cohort of frustrated young people would lead to social and political instability. This concern was highlighted by the key speakers at a dialogue session held here in Islamabad.

First day of life most risky for Newborns: new Report

Pakistan ranked 139th on the list of best places to be a mother

Pakistan among 10 countries with high newborn death rate

Sana Jamal

The day a newborn open eyes to world is the most anticipated one for the mother and a blissful moment for the whole family. But the first day of life is a delicate time for a newborn as it is often the most risky day of a child’s life, according to a report released this week by the humanitarian group, Save the Children. The 2013 State of the World's Mothers Report (SOWM) titled ‘Surviving the First Day’ reflects how risky the very first day is for many babies and mothers in almost every part of the world. 

Global state of Mothers 

More than one million babies are dying the actual day that they are born - making the baby’s day of birth the most dangerous day of their life nearly every country. The annual Report by the humanitarian organization reveals that two decades of progress on mother and child health has been too slow and uneven over the years. Released around Mother's Day, the report assesses the well-being of mothers and children in 176 countries. Finland, Sweden and Norway top the Mother's Index list (global ranking system for maternal and infant health) while Congo, Somalia and Sierra Leone rank last. This year’s Report contains first ever Birth Day Risk Index with the death rate for babies in their first day of life in 186 countries.

Cure for Silent Killer ‘Hypertension’ is better lifestyle

Children's Health Conference in Islamabad 

Sana Jamal

Exposing the face of society’s silent killer in their revealing and detailed speeches, the brilliant kids at the Children's Health Conference in Islamabad, seemed more knowledgeable about hypertension than the adults sitting in the audience. Adopting a healthy lifestyle with emphasis on proper nutrition, reducing salt and total fat intake, eating fruit and vegetables a day and regular physical activity can help beat the silent killer, informed the children. 

President Hamdard Foundation Sadia Rashid, VC Hamdard University Hakeem Abdul Manan
and Prof Abdul Hafeez Chaudhry with participants of Children Health Conference.

School Kids plea to protect the Trees

Sana Jamal

Islamabad - Standing alongside the trees like old friends, a group of children pledged their affection for the trees of great age by appealing the city administrators to protect the trees. The students of Khaldunia High School learned about the significant role of trees in our lives on a cultural caravan. The caravan was organised by the Funkor Child Art Center and Khaldunia School to inculcate a sense of respect and awareness among the youth about the cultural and natural heritage of Islamabad.

Khaldunia kids under the tree called Maa teh Nau Bachey (Mother and Nine Children).

Early Screening of Infants advised to minimize Disability

Sana Jamal

ISLAMABAD – Medical experts advised the parents that early screening of infants with disability can help them recover to a great extent and improve their abilities to full potential. “Early treatment with a loving, stimulating environment can prevent the more severe disabilities and also foster independence in the child with learning disabilities” informed Dr. Irfan Ahmad, Senior Audiologist. The earlier a learning disability is detected, the better chance a child will have of succeeding in life, reaffirmed the health experts, here on Tuesday, at the Awareness Seminar on “Disabilities and their Management”. 

‘Forests are depleting, foresters are sleeping’

Children worried about Environmental Losses

Sana Jamal

Islamabad – Children at a forum considered ways and means to draw the attention of President and Prime Minister of Pakistan towards ever-increasing environmental degradation in the country. Young mountain conservationists gathered in Islamabad on Tuesday after finishing 10-day long expedition aimed at highlighting environmental issues and measures to realise environment-friendly society. 

“Our forests are depleting fast while the foresters are sleeping, depriving us all of the fresh air and fresh water” remarked Hannan Ahmed, a participant at the summit. 

Informal-school offers Hope to down-trodden Children

Sana Jamal

Islamabad - Deep inside the small town of Rawalpindi, Pir Wadhai where the roads are rough and surrounded with heaps of garbage, there is a place for the working children where they can relax, learn and play. Among them is an 8- year-old girl, Kiran, a regular garbage-picker but she dreams of having a big beautiful house of her own. Her dream to bring a visible change in her family’s lifestyle seems a little closer to reality after attending last six weeks in a rare classroom where she is learning Urdu, English and also sewing. “I have a dream of living in a beautiful house with my family” said Kiran in a softened voice. 

Kiran is one of the many kids who come to attend 3-hour schooling daily at Children Drop-in Centre managed by Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) and financed by a German NGO, Kindernothilfe (KNH) in Fauji colony at Pir Wadhai where the marginalised children of society are offered an opportunity to dream of a better future. 

CRM stresses for Commission on Rights of Children

Published in Pakistan Observer (10 Sept 2011)

Sana Jamal

Islamabad - To observe and protect the rights of the millions of ill-fated children across the country, Child Rights Movement (CRM) has demanded the government to establish National Commission on the Rights of Children, since “there is nobody with a statutory status for the protection of their rights at federal level.”

Unknown heroes of Pakistani Youth

Published in Pakistan Observer (12 Aug 2011)
Sana Jamal

Islamabad - “Change Our World” – the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for World Youth Day (Aug 12), is more than a theme; it is an idea to inspire young people at all times. The theme rightly befits the young Pakistani men and women who comprise of more than 60 per cent of the total population and aspire to make a difference with their selfless contribution in the development of their society. From raising awareness and managing organizations to setting up blood banks and running schools; the youngsters, against all odds, are proving their abilities.

Mobisher Rabbani is one of the icons of Pakistan’s patriotic youth who is making every effort to promote Pakistan’s foreign policy, tourism, and culture through quiet diplomacy and using social media tools. He is the founder of ‘The Rabbani Foundation’, a philanthropic organization dedicated to humanity which has successfully carried out projects in UAE, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Philippines, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Mobisher's motto is simple: “We can begin small but why should we think small!”

Child speakers’ visions – an eye opener for elders

Published in Pakistan Observer (18 May 2011)

Sana Jamal

ISLAMABAD - Visionary speeches and suggestions laid down by child speakers of Children Association on Tuesday reaffirmed that future of Pakistan is as bright as their thoughts. The young leaders delivered speeches on child rights at a public awareness seminar on ‘Children’s Right to Participation: Building a Children’s Civil Society’ which was arranged by Children Association in Islamabad.

Children representatives also demanded the reopening of Educational channel to promote distant learning system in the country.

A child speaker, Nayaab Arshad from Islamabad explained the issues of child rights and said that not just the government but parents too deprive their children of basic rights even the right to education.

Areej Waqas and Asfandyar Khan from Mansehra spoke about maintaining a balance between children’s rights and duties said that many children are forced by poverty to work and their futures are forever affected.

Mohammad Naseer and Fakhar ul Islam, child speakers from Mansehra said that if they had the chance to run the country for a day, they would dissolve all the assemblies and will run the country according to the 'actual Islamic laws', where there would be one law for everyone without discrimination.

Relevant International and domestic laws on child rights’ was the theme of speech of Sara Gul while Mustafa Tanveer described how society influences the character building of children and the role children can play in the decision making.

The guest speakers of the seminar included Ms. Bushra Gohar, MNA and social activist; Zafarullah khan, Executive Director of Centre for Civic Education and Zehra Kamal, psychologist and consultant.

Bushra urged that “we must divert our priorities towards children’s affairs and criminalizing the domestic labour could be the first step to prevent our children from further exploitation.”

Tragic death of Child Servant sparks off New Concern

Govt urged to notify Child Domestic Labour in the banned occupations list
Edited news published in Pakistan Observer (27 Apr. 2011)
Sana Jamal

ISLAMABAD: The tragic death of a child servant has sparked off a new concern in the civil society section and also exposed an obscured, cruel facet of the society. Six-year old Laiba died after being beaten by her employers who were later arrested by the police in Harbanspura, Lahore on Monday.

Young Pakistanis launch ‘The Re-Volt’ magazine

Published in Pakistan Observer (9 Jan. 2011)

Cover of 'The Re-Volt magazine'.

Sana Jamal

ISLAMABAD: In the backdrop of hopelessness and distress, a group of young Pakistanis have risen to give new hope to the nation by launching a publication titled ‘The Re-Volt’ in Islamabad on Saturday.

The first of its kind magazine, run by youth on voluntarily basis was launched by ‘Pakistan First’ think-tank which aims to promote the ideology of Pakistan, the thinking of Iqbal and the legacy of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in every Pakistani.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Amaan Tareen, Director of Media of Pakistan First said that “The Re-Volt magazine endeavours to become the voice of the common Pakistani citizens.”

The chief guest of the event, Masood Sharif Khattak said “no country can dream to be a developed or civilized society unless its political system meets the demand of the people” and urged to the young listeners that “the time has come for the silent majority to step forward and raise their voices.” He hoped that the magazine would become the voice of the patriotic and motivated youth of Pakistan.

In his aspiring speech at the occasion, Faisal Awan, Senior Editor of the magazine pledged that “The Re-Volt aspires to contribute towards laying foundation of a strong Pakistani society whose core values will be honesty, justice, compassion, integrity and dignity.”

Tareen briefed the audience that Pakistan First also runs an online radio ‘Watan’ and a think tank to revive the ideology of Pakistan among young generation. Pakistan First is an independent organization, founded by Ali Khan which intends to provide opportunities and a platform for youth to voice their concerns.

4-day International Youth Conference in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first International Youth Conference & Festival (IYCF) kicked off Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad on Monday which seeks to bring together 300 Pakistani and international delegates to inspire, encourage and empower the youth.

The festival has been organised by Miradore Production and Khudi Pakistan in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry for Women Development, Ministry of Labour and Manpower, UNFPA, NCHD, Google, Youtube and global Alliance for Youth Movements (AYM) as online supporters.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira was the chief guest on the inaugural day. In his address Kaira urged the youth to play their active role in combating and defeating terrorism in the country. Minister called the youth of the country ‘the ambassadors of peace.’ While highlighting the role of youth he said “The government and the security forces cannot eliminate the menace unless the young generation, particularly the students, come forward and play their role.”

The day started off with a seminar titled ‘Bridging Cultural Divides’, followed by a roundtable discussion including Ali Abbas Zaidi (Pakistan Youth Alliance), Sana Saleem, Osama Kazi, Zafarullah Khan and Karamat Ali who highlighted the issues youth of Pakistan are facing and provided solutions to challenge the stereotype thinking that often develop in the absence of direct communication channels.