At age 23, Inayat has opened a school in his local community modeled after the Behbud Schools, his alma mater. Behbud Boys School has been a source of inspiration for him and he attributes all his success to this school.

He joined Behbud in Class 4, at the recommendation of a relative. In his previous school he used to bunk classes but after joining Behbud he didn’t feel the need to do that. Behbud Schools work with discipline and provide support and motivation, cutting the drop-out rate of their students.

While attending Behbud School he actually enjoyed coming to classes as the teaching methodology was more innovative and he was able to grasp the content matter. Despite the school being far away from his home he made the effort to come regularly. He actively participated in extra-curricular activities like art, painting, story writing and poetry and, with the help of his teachers, excelled at his studies.

Being the eldest of nine children, he had a lot of responsibilities. He faced financial problems through his school years and had to take a gap year when his father got ill. But when he continued his education, Behbud, as always, supported him. Because the fees were highly subsidized, his parents were able to send all the children, including three daughters, to Behbud Schools.

Today Inayat has completed his civil engineering diploma and has graduated from Karachi University. His goal is to become a CSS officer. Meanwhile, he runs his own school, Al Anas Academy, on the model of Behbud.

On November 3 rd , 2018, Behbud held a fundraiser, the Behbud’s Wellness Tea. The aim was to collect PKR 2 Million which is the annual running cost for the Behbud Primary School, Kalapul. The school provides quality education to 200 students who come from the surrounding kachiabadis of Kalapul and Railway Colony.
It was a delightful event set in the beautiful gardens of Mrs. Siddiqui who generously allowed Behbud to use the premises. Almost 300 women came dressed in “something purple” beautifying the garden even more. As an early bird reward, the first 30 ladies to arrive received a free salon voucher and the ladies who came later got 50% off and 20% off gift vouchers.

Interning for an organisation as wondrous as the Behbud Association was a sensational opportunity I was honoured with as a sixteen year old. The few days that I spent at Behbud taught me a lot about the community that I live in.

On my first day at Behbud I was assigned the job to teach “English Speaking” to a group of ten children of ages ranging from Fourteen to Seventeen. I must admit that I was quite nervous. I knew that now it was my responsibility to teach them the correct way to speak, read and write English.

The students looked at me in awe as though they also wanted to speak as fluently as me, and I hoped I would be able to help them do so. Day by day the eagerness to learn kept increasing within these children as they grew more comfortable with us, the volunteers.

Not only this, but the drive to be successful seemed to be powered with passion within every single student. I noticed an immense increase in class participation, confidence and girls wanting to correct their mistakes, trying to do their best.

These girls have been extremely courteous, not only in the classroom but outside it too. Offering to wipe the board, accompanying me whilst I waited for my car to arrive and offering me food, showed how kind hearted these girls were.

I myself as a student have always wanted to keep away from studies and homework but the dedication I saw in these children, was bewildering. I can easily support this statement with an example; even though I gave them homework to write one sentence each for some particular words, a student of mine asked for my number because she wanted me to check her work in which she voluntarily made extra sentences for every word assigned. Nothing inspired me more than the hard work and dedication these students were willing to put in to improve their English skills.

Furthermore, I was lucky to have been given a chance to help out Indus Valley volunteers in helping the young Nine to Twelve year olds at Art. As I walked around the classroom I saw boys who would usually be seen running around their neighbourhood playing with each other paint with extreme passion, focus and drive.

They stared at their blank A-3 sheets thinking very hard and long to come up with something flawless and unique. They didn’t even try to talk to each other until they had drawn something presentable and something they were proud of on the sheets in front of them.

Every student here is filled with talent, if not in subjects like maths and science then arts or dramatics, which is also offered by Behbud Association.

Here they are also taught how to act and control their body language and expressions on stage. Many children are wonderful actors who are able to engage their audience, the teachers into the act they are presenting in the classroom which they treat as their stage.

Behbud has been serving as a stupendous institution for several years, bringing out the superlative potential from within these children and such institutes will soon serve to create a propitious future for our country.

One of the most important teachings in Islam is that all things belong to Allah and that we come from Him and shall one day return to Him. Our life is transient and wealth is a blessing from Him; it does not follow us in the afterlife. Islam preaches altruism. Muslims are told not to hoard wealth and to abstain from greed. The word “charity”is mentioned 32 times in the Qu’ran as a constant reminder of the importance of giving.

“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of God is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And God multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And God is all-Encompassing and all- Knowing.”

(Qu’ran 2:261)

As the Quranic verse states, when one spends his/her wealth in the way of Allah there is no decrease in wealth but, indeed, Allah gives much, much more to replace it.

Five Pillars of Islam and Zakat
The Five Pillars of Islam are Shahadah, Salah, Sawm, Zakat & Hajj. By adhering to the Five Pillars, Muslims demonstrate that they are putting their faith first, and not just trying to fit it in around their worldly lives.

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. It is compulsory on all Muslims and is levied on savings, not income, at the rate of 2 .5%. This money is either directly given to the poor or to Muslim charitable organizations

Benefits of Zakat
“Take from their wealth so that you might purify and sanctify them”(Qur’an 9:103)

The word Zakat means ‘purification’ and “growth’. By giving a percentage of our wealth, we purify our hearts and our possessions of the taint of greed and nurture spiritual growth as we offer thanks to Allah for all His bounties. This is how the giver of Zakat benefits.

Zakat funds given to the poor help to ease their lot in life. The basic amenities that we take for granted: food, shelter, clothing, healthcare and education are usually beyond the reach of the poor. But Zakat helps millions of families acquire these basic necessities. Whole societies can be lifted out of the miseries of deprivation and guided along the path to better lives with the Zakat funds.

Zakat furthers the concept of unity and brotherhood among Muslims. The socio-economic balance is maintained between the classes of society. Circulation of wealth continues from the rich to the poor and does not remain in a few hands only. This distribution of wealth helps to overcome poverty and other social ailments from our society. Poverty alleviation and social equality become possible.

So do not let the opportunity to give Zakat be lost. Give and give generously. And remember Behbud Association, Karachi as the premier organization which merits your Zakat.

Fight TB with Behbud Association, Karachi

Tuberculosis (TB) is considered one of the world's most infectious diseases and continues to be a pressing health problem today. It is an airborne killer and can affect any one of us. Over 5,000 women, men and children still die each day from TB. The social and economic impacts are devastating.

Behbud Association, Karachi is a not-for-profit organization (NPO) working relentlessly to empower women and children in deserving communities. TB is most prevalent in such areas, so by focusing on these TB hotspots through its TB clinic and mobile TB van, Behbud aids the neediest people.

Behbud Association, Karachi follows the WHO approved D.O.T.S program in TB treatment and achieves an even higher rate of cure than the WHO target of 85%. This is possible because Behbud insists on screening all suspect cases, strictly follows all patients throughout the 6-8 month treatment (even visiting defaulters in their homes, if necessary) and provides TB awareness programs to the women and children of vulnerable communities.

Behbud Association, Karachi has a holistic approach and works in the fields of Health, Education and Livelihoods. These services empower women and children and improve their lives tremendously.

Success stories of TB survivors motivate Behbud Association, Karachi to continue in its fight against TB. Behbud Association Karachi wants to raise awareness about this disease, and about the importance of getting tested and adhering to treatment.

One of many success stories is Shehrbano

Unfortunately, throughout Pakistan, TB is a disease of poverty.

Shehrbano’s mother grew up in poverty and had to leave school as a child to take care of her siblings. She left home when she married, but her husband passed away leaving her with 4-year-old Shehrbano. Facing destitution, she decided to move back to her parent’s home, who were barely making ends meet themselves.

Shehrbano was brought to Behbud’s TB clinic after she had been suffering for two months with fevers, cough, and general malaise. At the age of 17, she felt ashamed about telling anyone about her illness due to stigmas associated with TB. Behbud TB clinic’s trained staff worked tirelessly with her for six months and supported her throughout her treatment. They made sure she followed the treatment diligently and also counseled her about her disease.

She now speaks openly about her TB. Her renewed confidence and well-being is a ray of hope in her impoverished community. Shehrbano has been deemed cured.

Behbud’s TB program was initiated in the year 2000. It is open to both men and women.

By donating Rs. 120,000,  the cost of treatment for a TB Patient you too can be part of a success story:

http://behbudkarachi.org.pk/donate/