Pilot Projects 2008

This year we have initiated an uplift project in Shah Rasool and Neelum Colony, two low-income neighbourhoods of Karachi. We plan to introduce adult literacy, recycling, first aid awareness, medical check-ups, and a savings program.

Adult Literacy

This will be in association with the Literacy Support Centre. It includes courses for parents and older siblings of the students of Garage School. There will be a three month Urdu course, followed by a 4 to 6 month English course. Children who are older than 12 will complete Grade 10 schooling in a period of 4 years on a private basis. The class strength at present is 31 (12 men and 18 women. Classes will be held five times a week from 4 to 10pm.

Clean Neighbourhood and Recycling

Dustbins being developed in the arts and crafts class of the school will be provided for each house. Personal visits will be made to homes to distribute stitched cloth bags for the collection and proper disposal of papers, glass and tin. These items will then be sold for recycling. The money from the sale of these items will be saved by each family in containers that are provided.

Savings Project

Each child will save their pocket money and collect in a gullak (mud container). This will teach them the habit of saving and fulfilling their desire at the end of the year. This is the first step towards opening a Garage School bank.

First Aid and Recycling Awareness

A first aid awareness program was conducted on the 20th of January, 2008, courtesy Dr. Nighat. First Aid kits were prepared and provided to each participant. Dr. Nighat will also conduct weekly counselling for the women of the locality.

Medical Checkups

Dr. Farah Ahmed of the department of Community Health Sciences will be conducting quarterly medical checkups for the children and their parents. We shall try our best to improve and upgrade the living conditions of everyone.

WHAT WE NEED

We need our own premises for the Garage School, a place where we are able to conduct all classes from Nursery to Class X. The children require a proper space for sports and extra curricular activities.

Sponsorship Programs

Sponsor a Child (PK Rs. 10,200, USD 170)

Sponsor School Rent (PK Rs. 30,000 per month, USD 500)

Sponsor a Classroom (PK Rs. 6,000 per month, USD 100)

Sponsor a Teacher (PK Rs. 5,000 to 10,000 a month, USD 82 to 164)

Funds for school based consultancy and support programs

In collaboration with the Educational Resource Development Center, TGS aims to launch a one year extensive teachers’ training program for capacity building. A sum of Rs. 663,000 is required for this project.

Please help us with our objectives. Any manner of assistance will be highly appreciated. Thanks.

Please make cheques in the name of “The Garage School”

Standard Chartered Bank, Clifton, Karachi

Account Number: 01-4544048-01

Swift Code: SCBL PKK XXX

Tax Approval No. CIT/COS.V//2006/464