Zephaniah Free Education

Zephaniah Free Education has been improving the status of women in rural Pakistan through Education and Empowerment for 17 years.

It was founded by Sister Zeph when she was just a 13 year old girl. At this age she had to leave her school in grade seventh, because her teacher humiliated her for being sitting on the teacher’s chair one day.

From then she decided that she will never go to that school again but will make her own school where there will respect for the students. So she started teaching with another girl in the open air at her home’s courtyard on August 1, 1997.

Later when she started teaching more girls she came to notice that girls’ lives are very difficult. They have no life of their own, they are considered men’s property, they have no right to education, to paid work, or to choose their own life partner. They are being killed for so called honor. They are mothers, sisters, wives and daughters, but they are not being considered as human beings. They have no recognition as their own individuals. With this realisation, Sister Zeph decided to focus on girls’ education.

Until now, Zephaniah Free Education has taught over five hundred girls , and more than one hundred women have learnt skills such as stitching , bridal make up, party make up, hair dressing , embroidery in addition to getting standard education as well.

Sister Zeph has been maintaining a full time job to meet the expenses of Zephaniah Free Education since when the age of 16, and along with this, she achieved two Master Degrees, one in Political Science and one in the History, through self-studying.

Sister Zeph says that she will never stop promoting and supporting girls education and empowerment because this is the only way to change the world and to bring a new life to the women of our world.

Saathi

SAATHI, a nongovernmental organization, was established in 1992 by a group of women to address contemporary challenges being faced by Nepali women. In keeping with this agenda, Saathi identified Violence against Women and Children (VAW&C), particularly domestic violence, as an area requiring urgent attention and intervention. At that time, the concept of VAW&C had not yet attracted the attention of legislators, leaders, social workers and statesmen. Conversely, violence against women, particularly domestic violence, was accepted as traditional practice. SAATHI was therefore a pioneering organization to break the silence around domestic violence. Since 1992 it has persistently continued its crusade to safeguard women and children against abuse and coercion and to empower them by making them aware of their rights and responsibilities.

This crusade began with a pilot survey on domestic violence conducted in Kathmandu. The results of the survey proved that domestic violence is widespread in Nepali society and that Saathi was justified in taking up this cause and breaking the silence around the related issues. Prior to this survey, domestic violence was kept completely under wraps and was considered to be something that should not be discussed or brought out into the open. Since 1992 SAATHI has come a long way via the implementation of various programs related to research, advocacy, awareness raising, training and networking.

 Over the course of Saathi’s work it became apparent that there was an overwhelming need for a shelter for physically, mentally abused victims/survivors including victims of different forms of sexual violence. Hence in the absence of such a support system in the country Saathi is proud to have established the first shelter of its kind – ‘Ashreya Shivir’ in 1995. The residents in this shelter come from different socio economic background from all over the country. In the shelter they are provided shelter, medical support, legal, counseling, and if required, referral services. In addition to these services, they are also provided non-formal education and income generating skill training to develop a sense of confidence and economic independence resulting in self reliance.

Since 1995 the shelter has directly served over a thousand physically, mentally, sexually abused, abandoned women and children. Thousands of others have received counselling and guidance. With the care and support they receive in the shelter, many physically abused victims/survivors have been able to heal and overcome their trauma. Most importantly, they have been able to move ahead and lead a violence free life they deserve. It gives us immense pleasure to see and share the impact our work has made in the lives of these survivors.

Hayat Foundation

 

Hayat Foundation is a national non-governmental, non-profit and non-political organization which was registered with the Social Welfare Department in Punjab in 1995 under the Registration & Control Ordinance, 1961. Its registration number is 369/DDSW/FSD/95. In 1991 it was also registered under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860. Legally it can operate all over the country, its mission is the formation of a healthy and balanced society where the masses live peacefully with freedom of thought and action, and where there is no discrimination, abuse, neglect or exploitation. The Hayat Foundation has been engaged in the provision of education, protection, peace and water and sanitation services to populations affected by conflicts and emergencies. It has worked in the KPK, SINDH, FATA, FANA, AJ&K and Punjab provinces to respond to the recovery and rehabilitation of children and women displaced due to conflict, earthquakes and floods. It has demonstrated the capacity to provide care and support to children and youths for re-settlement through formal and non formal education and psycho-social services in government, private and religious institutions.