My name is Shabina Mustafa and I am the wife of Flight Lieutenant Syed Safi Mustafa (Shaheed) S.J. I was widowed at the age of 20 with my 2 month old son, Zain, who is now an architect in Dubai. I completed my B.A Honours in Sociology from the University of Karachi after my husband’s death. From 1974 onwards I worked with Saudi Airlines for 32 years. I recently resigned due to the old age and ailing health of my mother who is now 95 years old. She has studied in Allahbad, India with Indira Gandhi.
The day my husband’s news came to me as “believed missing or killed”, the same day I attended my convocation at the University of Karachi. My mother who has been my pillar of support said “that chapter is closed and you have a new life ahead of you now”.
I started my life with just two plates and a kerosene stove in a one room apartment in Mauripur, Karachi. I fought for my husband’s gallantry award for 22 years. Finally, after going through many hurdles I received the award in 1994.
I got the idea for the Garage School in November 1999 and dedicated it to my husband who always wanted to educate the poor and the underprivileged. The school is an extension of my family. My aim now is to upgrade two of the localities where most of the children of the school reside: Neelum Colony and Shah Rasool Colony.
From the floor to the tables was a slow and steady progress. At first my friend Riffat gave a plank of wood which we balanced on a cement block.
Soon after I got a small blackboard, given to me by my nephew Mehdi, followed by the coloured tables and benches given by my brother Zafar. After two years we were lucky to be sponsored by Sheraton, and Mr. Thomas Opstal went out of his way to take care of us. At first he upgraded the school looks by tiling the floors and painting the walls. He even gave us 5 bicycles so that the boys could go to attend computer classes, not to forget the luxury of being invited on and off to the Sheraton for parties etc. This gave them a lot of confidence and our first step in grooming the children. We even had our first handicraft exhibition there. The children fondly remember Mr. Thomas OPSTAL.
One day while talking to Lubna (a lady running a boutique in Zamzama ) who was stitching our school uniforms free of cost, I met Mr. Abbas Vawda.
The gentleman behind the sponsorship scheme. He visited the garage and asked me “Where do they go from here ? Why don”t you send them to formal schools?”. So that was the time that he decided to sponsor Anil and 5 others. And thus the seed was sown for the children’s future.
Next year he sponsored another 10. He preferred girls to the boys and to this day he is in constant touch with us. A wonderful person with a heart of gold.
Then by brother in Dubai, Athar, seeing how malnourished these kids looked, gave me the idea of giving them milk and biscuits for nourishment.
So I started writing to various companies for milk and biscuits. Haleeb gave us milk for one year only and English Biscuit started giving us biscuits and to date they have not stopped. The children look forward to their daily biscuit treat. Now milk and juice is supplied by volunteers .
Soon Wartisila started giving us uniforms, shoes, and sweaters. They also provided us with colourful tables and stools for the new Garage school extension.
Health care was another issue.
Dr. Khalid Bhambha was introduced to us through a friend, Tahir. All our children yearly get their Ent, blood grouping and blood tests done. We had 4 ear operations at his hospital.
Blood grouping was important as this was to be printed on their I.D cards so they could be given blood in case of accidents as they all walk to school.
This it how it all began and we have now grown to become a big happy family.
great effort… we salute ur efforts ..
Dear Nina
Thanks for your appreciation ,W need many hands to continue supporting this noble cause
shabina
Assalam o alaikum dear Shabina
heads off 2 ur gr8 work.may Allah bless u , strengthen u 2 contribute more.
i m a graduate and work in a private company.i want to teach volunteerly at ur institution.i will b glad and privilidged to become a part of ur work.kindly let me know if there is any possibility
Dear Sidra
You are more than welcome to jion in as a volunteer
Do call me on 0333 217 9975 for details
Shabina
my id is aatika_agha@yahoo.com
regards
sidra
Assalam o Alaikum
App jo kaam ker rahi hai wo bohat acha kaam hai Allah app ko or b himmat den Ameen Agar main app k sath Volenteer ka kaam kerna chaho tu app ka kia khayal hai
May Allah bless u !
Regard:
Muhammad Moosa Gaba
Assalam o Alaikum
app jo kaam ker rahi hai bohat acha hai mairi duaa hai k Allah apko or b ache ache kaam kerne ki himmat den Ameen agar maire liye koe kaam ki Zarorat ho to mujhe bataeye gha main as a volunteerly kaam karo gha.
Muahammad Moosa Gaba (Memon)
A very inspiring story, it truly motivates me.
Thank you for all your efforts, for what you’ve done for the country.
Respected Begum Shabina Mustafa wife of Flight Lieutenant Syed Safi Mustafa Shaheed (S.J).
Assalam ‘o’ Alykom.
Being son of a PAF person (served 1951-1981 in observers’ squadron), i always feel Airforce as running in my blood streams. Surfing the PAF History, I just stopped at the handsome picture of young Flight Lieutenant Syed Safi Mustafa and got eagered to read the detail history of his bravery. My (late) father was also posted in No. 246 Squadron during the years 1972-1977 at PAF Base Lahore. The words “No 246 Sqn; MOUs & his airmen” attracted to read the whole details about his extraordinary devotion to the duty and care for his airmen. When searched more about him on the google, I saw your name and the brief family detail.
Salute to you and to all those who supported you thereafter. It was highly pleasing to know about your only son who is now an architect at UAE.
Wish you best of health and happiness. I pray for your more courage to make your dreams come true in the field of education. Hats off!
Best regards.
Nisar Haider Abbas,
NHA International (Lahore/Karachi).
My email contact is: nisarhyderabbas@gmail.com
I was with 14 sqn and last met late Safi when he last left for mymensingh.i am a sagodhian,knew late Safi and admired him immensely as a person.As far as i knew him, he would have done just what you have achieved in your efforts.His soul must be so pleased with you.hats off to you.
Madame I must compliment you for what you are doing,helping poor & needy children to have education,superb,just superb.You are like next Mother Teriza,Pakistan needs women like you,my Salam to you.Now a days I am in USA,but if I were in Pakistan I would have visited your Garage School,your husbands soul must be really Happy.I am a Parsi by religion,Inshahallah God will be really pleased with you.
I sincerely wish you all the very best in your endevours.
Gentlemen and Ladies.
There is no doubt about the heroism and gallantry of Flt Lt Safi Mustafa and he rightly deserved the coveted award of Sitara-e-Jurat (I only now learn due to the untiring efforts of Mrs Safi Mustafa). But the valour and courage of Mrs Safi Mustafa is also notable. I have personally seen this gallant lady ensuring her only son received the very best education and today she can be proud that he is an architect, a tribute to her untiring efforts and sacrifices that ensured her son received the very best education possible. We can only salute her. And now through this email I pleasantly learn that her spirit has not faltered and now she is on a glorious path to educate poor children living in the slums of Karachi. Hats off to her. We who read this must support her as best as we can. This is my earnest appeal to all my kith and friends.
Dear Madam…
After going through you life’s story…I don’t have the words to commend your unflinching resolve and fortitude. You are a real source of inspiration of all men and women who lose hope in the times of adversity.
I really salute you for your courage and bravery
Best Regards
Khawar
Dear Shabina:
My brother, flying Officer Rasheedi was in 14th squadron Dacca during the 1971 war. I am touched by your ordeal and suffering. My brother must have known your husband. I have been looking for worthy causes that are catered to giving education to Pakistani females. You might be surprised how difficult it is to find worthy people and causes. Poor women I met in Karachi who I offered to educate their daughter were not interested. They wanted their “Puttar” to be educated, not the girl child. I shall return to Karachi in a few months and would then make a donation to your school and continue doing so as and when I can afford, in the future. Pl respond so that I can remain in touch.
P.S. to my message preceding, my e-mail is: arif_lawarif@yahoo.com
I would need the address of the garage school where I can come by, when I am in Karachi, and make donation and continue doing so thereafter, as and when I can. I am presently in Los Angeles, CA.
AOA. Dear Ms. Shabina Mustafa! Whatever words are expressed, they are short to appreciate your vision and mission of the Garage School. One can very easily understand the treacherous days without moral support and your brave effort to rise and make your way for yourself and your only child Zain whom I recollect to have seen in December 1971, only once. My salute to the wife of the great soldier. Torrent of tributes to the brave Safi Mustafa who is to me an unforgettable character and shall never be out of my memory until my last breathe !!
Dear Mr. Arif,
Thank you so much for your kind words. We are trying very hard to change the mentality of the society and I can proudly say that we have an equal number of boys and girls in our school who study together without any gender discrimination. I sincerely hope that we can take our resolve to a higher level. I will covey your message to Mrs. Shabina. Do come and visit our school. You will find it so much more better than other community service centres. You can also send us an email on thegarageschool@gmail.com, if you have any queries.
Thank you.
Regards,
Sarah Adnan
for Mrs. Shabina Mustafa
The Garage School