Home
About Us
About the Mashal Model School | The Mashal Model Mission |
Mashal's mission is to work toward changing the lives of children who otherwise would not have the opportunity. We aspire to drive and inspire street children, educate them, give hope and respect, and promote meaningful life choices.
Core Value
-We believe in the respect and dignity of all human beings.
-We pursue the personal and professional growth of our students through education and life skills.
-We work with families and apply a community based approach.
-We strive to develop innovative, sustainable, and effective solutions.
Aim
Our aim is to provide disadvantaged children with not only a proper education, but the self-respect and dignity an abused woman needs to leave her husband. The motivation required for both men and women to study and work to the best of their abilities. And finally, the love and care that is essential for all children to mature into healthy, contributing members of society.
About the School (School Curriculum)
The Mashal Model School (MMS) recognizes education as the key to social mobility. Science, math, and other critical subjects are taught using the National Book Foundation Curriculum. Although the children of Bari Imam may lack the material possessions that other children enjoy, it is our hope that they may learn from the national curriculum and have an equal opportunity to develop their minds. At the same time, their special circumstances also require a focus on social and everyday skills.
Reason for Everything
An important ambition of the Mashal Model School is to incorporate learning and life skills in all school activities. Events that appear extraneous to a traditional education system, provide the children with fundamental values and morals. In short, every activity in the school has a reason behind it. We target the holistic approach when dealing with these children
Health and hygiene Having the children wash their hands and faces and brush their teeth each day not only educates them on proper hygiene, but installs a sense of pride in their appearance and self-worth. Focusing on basic skills that are necessary to integrate them into mainstream society is paramount to our program.
Eating together on a weekly basis In addition we provide seriously mal-nutrition students with skin disorders with essential vitamins and provide once a week nutritious meals to the children. Communal eating gives the children a sense of community and shared experiences. The simple act of eating together strengthens bonding between the students as well.
Sports, we provide equal opportunity for girls as well as boys especially cricket and football, are a definite hit with them. Besides providing them with a bit of glee, we use sports to focus on teaching them organized play, cooperation, humility, and the value of friendship.
Gardening
Special emphasis have been given to planting trees and plants as it gives them opportunity to take care of the environment and they enjoy gardening as It provides education about the importance of plants and the food properties which are important for our growth plus it provide them satisfaction and a greater self-esteem.
Although working on these ethics and principles may sound basic, development of these qualities is crucial for the children of Bari Imam. Basic concepts of tolerance and the importance of education must be taught in order to give them an opportunity to live, work, and become a healthy part of our society.
Sewing Class for Women
MMS understands that working with Bari Imam's children requires a communtiy-based approach. Daily sewing and stitching courses are held for the students' mothers, sisters, and for all those who wish to learn these practical skills. A community forum for women has developed, and the women are able to discuss their interests, socialize, and share solutions with each other every day.
Fast Facts
Presently, there are 360 students (194 boys and 166 girls) ranging from nursery age to class 8. All classes cater for multi-aged children.
The school fee is Rs. 50 (60 U.S. cents) per child, per month. In case of siblings, the tuition fee is reduced to Rs. 25 (30 U.S. cents) per child, per month. The school provides for all other costs, Uniforms, books, stationery, shoes, school bags, soaps, toothpaste and brushes.
A doctor visits the school periodically. Even surgeries have been carried out free of charge.
Surroundings & Issues
Mashal Model School provides instruction and care to the children of the Bari Imam slum. Just a short jaunt from the riches of Islamabad's elite, Bari Imam suffers from poor and harmful sanitation practices as well as a lack of health and civic facilities.
While their contemporaries in the more well-off districts attend international schools, the young Bari Imam children must usually provide financial support, not only for themselves, but for their entire families. Unclean children begging or washing cars are a common sight, and their meager earnings are contributed to the families' incomes. Most of the children are oblivious to their own plight and unfortunate circumstances.
Making matters more complicated, the Bari Imam area is a pilgrimage sight and receives Sufi worshippers. The influx of outsiders coupled with the children's ignorance of their own basic human rights is a dangerous combination. Physical and sexual abuse are commonplace and often go unpunished. The police do not provide security and thus, the children have neither the recourses to protect themselves nor the proper mindset that they deserve a more dignified lifestyle.
How to Help
volunteering
-specific ways to help
-used/new clothes
-food/continuing necessities/ongoing needs
-soap
-toothbrushes
-cleaning supplies
-medical supplie
No comments:
Post a Comment