The Word of mAn[S]o0r: Soft Launch of Rotary Club of Karachi / PN Model School

This news item is worthy of all the publicity it can get. Its people (and clubs) like these who keep the spirit of karachi alive. I personally feel pride by hearing this news, as i am also a member of a Rotaract Club (The youth wing of Rotary) called the Rotaract Club of Karachi Metropolitan. A summary of the article follows with the complete release.

The Rotary Club of Karachi, the first Rotary Club to be established in Karachi in 1933, had for quite sometime now, embarked on a project to build a Model school in the area of Lyari to cater for educataional needs of the people there. They have now completed the task, and the school is set to begin the academic year from August 2006 with two streams of pupils, females in the morning and males in the evening. The school is called Rotary Club of Karachi / PN Model School recognizing the contribution of Pakistan Navy in this endeavor by providing the land.

The complete article is as follows:

Behalf Of AZIZ MEMON

Soft Inauguration & Handing / Taking Over Ceremony
Of RC Karachi / PN Model School Lyari
On 27th May 2006

One of the first of its kind in the city, the Rotary Club of Karachi was chartered on May 11th, 1933, an outcome of the vision and initiative of its service oriented members, among whom figured personalities like Hatim A. Alavi, Hatim B,. Tayabji and Jamshed Nusserwanji. From its inception, the club has taken an active interest in the civic life of Karachi and also devoted considerable attention to the international aspect of Rotary service.

In its philanthropic efforts, the club has funded several ear and eye camps, supplied drinking water to low-lying areas and adopted several schools. Among its major projects is the supply of sewing machines and a Mass Miniature Radiography Project for the Afghan Refugees, providing resources for TB control in slums, donations of equipment and medicines to government hospitals and other welfare organizations.

It is a well known fact that in this city of over 12 million, most people live below the poverty line and are unable to provide three square meals a day for their children, let alone make available to them the education that is their right and which they so richly deserve. Even though many education projects are functioning already, the need is great and our effort is a mere drop in the very vast ocean of poverty.

As many of you may be aware, the Lyari area in Karachi is a sprawling shantytown on the outskirts of the city inhabited by lower income group populace. Like all other such localities, the town faces inadequate infrastructure facilities, education being the foremost. Over the years, the problem has compounded to an extent that the youth of the area have diverted their energies towards all sorts of anti-social activities.

Keeping this situation in view, the Rotary Club of Karachi took up a project during the tenure of Presidentship of Rtn. Aziz Memon to construct a school in Lyari on an area belonging to the Pakistan Navy and measuring 2850 sq yds, which is now complete. To recognize the Navy’s contribution to the project, the school is named as "Rotary Club of Karachi / PN Model School".

The school constructed in the Lyari area would start academic session from August 2006 on both primary and secondary levels from Grade 1 through 10. The plan is to have two streams of pupils, one in the morning and another in the evening. The morning shift would consist of female students whereas the evening shift would cater to the needs of make students. The club hopes that the students of this new school will be able to avail of as many facilities as possible, which are available to students in other schools. For this purpose, the construction of science labs, as well stocked library, a common room, a computer lab and a sick room were also constructed. Additionally, the construction of a huge play field planned for outdoor sports will be prepared to encourage the children to take part in extra-curricular activities.

By the grace of God, the project is now complete, which will cater to the needs of approximately 1600 children in the Lyari area and provide them with good-quality, low-cost education. The total cost of the project was estimated at Rs.22 million. The need of the hour is to pool our collective resources and contribute towards the future of our nation, i.e. the children of our city.

A soft inauguration and handing / taking over ceremony was held on 27th May 2006 at Commander Logistics Office, Karachi to start the academic session of the school from 15th August 2006. Whereas the formal inauguration ceremony of Rotary Club of Karachi / PN Model School will be held on 5th August 2006.

We feel satisfaction on completion of this largest project and I am thankful to all the donors for their kind support and assistance extended to us since its inception in August 2003.

Kind regards,
Rtn. Aziz Memon
District Governor Nominee
RI District 3270,
Pakistan & Afghanistan