The Garage School

The Garage School has simple goals. My children must acquire basic literacy skills to help them in the future. Vocational training like computer training, mechanical, electrical skills or the arts are very important. Now with the admission of 12 boys to St. Patrick Vocational School and 6 girls for a two year training program at a beauty salon, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Here is a list of significant happenings and achievements since the Garage School was set up in 1999.

• Visit to Wetland Center at Sandspit, Karachi - Sponsored by WWF.

• Visit to the Quaid’s Museum and Mausoleum, The Textile Exhibition at Mohatta Palace and the Karachi Zoo.

• Educational visit to the Behbud Center - courtesy Mrs. Bhomal

• Invited to Sheraton Hotel at the inauguration of their 8th floor for a guided tour and lavish tea.

• Participated in a 3 day Art Festival at the Sheraton in September 2001.

• Gall Bladder operation of a nine year old girl on 15th March 2002.

• 72 children vaccinated for typhiod on 18th June 2002 - courtesy Gulf Shipping Agency.

• Shaheen Air International sponsored 22 children for an educational visit to Lahore on 28th June 2002.

• Three children operated upon at Ahmed General Hospital for ruptured ear drums.

• On 13th July 2002, Mr. Jimmy Engineer invited the children to the cinema to watch Jurassic Park.

• Mr. Jimmy Engineer sponsored a lunch at Pappasalis restaurant on 15th July 2002.

• On 27th July 2002, Roshni Foundation of Australia sponsored an outing to Alladin Park.

• Celebrated Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi on 27th September 2002 and 2004.

• Eid-Milad party on 7th December 2002.

• 10 Garage School children admitted to NASRA school from 1st April 2003 (Anonymously sponsored).

• 6 children admitted to DHA Neelum Colony school on 1st April 2003 (Sponsored by well-wishers).

• 44 children sponsored to various schools in 2005.

• KFC invited us for a meal and magic show in March 2005.

• Visit to Thatta/Makli Hills/Indus Motor Plant in June 2005.

• Completed Hepatitis B vaccination course for 84 children till 2005.

• Had blood grouping done for 20 newly admitted children.

• English Biscuits have undertaken to provide biscuits for each child on a regular basis.

• Made ID cards for all the students with the required inputs.

• Acquired the services of 7 volunteers who come and teach the children english, arithmetic, arts and crafts, sewing, crochet, macrame and flower arrangement.

• Tahira is a regular full-time teacher whose salary is being sponsored by two donors.

• Sheraton Hotel has donated books and 6 bicycles. They have also tiled the school floor.

• German Consulate helped improve the school surroundings and donated books and computers.

• Indus Motors has donated a school van for the children.

My heartfelt gratitude to the many hundreds of people who have enabled the Garage School to contribute a couple of drops in the ocean. God bless you all.