PLP Trust

age situated 48 km from Gilgit city. It boasts a population of about 5000, majority of which lives below the poverty line. The economy is agriculture based, and with only one crop a year it has no chance to bring prosperity to the people. The village shot to fame in 2010 when a local boy became the first Winter Olympian for Pakistan. The village is as scenic as a place could be, and attracts a sizeable number of tourists each year. However, because of the rampant illiteracy the village fails to cash upon its immense potential. My association with Naltar started in 1983 when I was first posted to this place. In my limited capacity I tried to contribute to the uplift of this remote area. Bringing the local children into mainstream skiing was just one of the steps which later resulted in 2010 appearance at the Winter Olympics. However, the idea of educating the local kids to really improve their chances of prospering in life took root in 2013. We started a volunteer education program in the village. Subsequently, this program shifted gears, and by the end of 2014 we started operating a full-fledged school in a borrowed building. In April, 2015 we started our first full academic session. Our main focus was the girls of any age who had been deprived of schooling due to financial or social mind-sets. We hired teachers from a nearby village to handle the growing number of students. My family and a couple of close friends fully supported me and we were able to complete the year with 84 students appearing in the final exams. Year 2016 has seen 190 students complete their academic session. We have received more than four hundred names for admission for the academic year 2017. More than 50% of this number belongs to students from other schools, which is a testimony to the standard of education which we are imparting. Most unfortunately we will be unable to absorb these students owing to lack of capacity. Our aim is to provide free and quality education to the under privileged children of this poverty ridden area. The schooling is completely free as are the text books and the stationery. The curriculum being followed is designed by AFAQ, which is a rapidly rising name in academic circles. Recognizing a need for a strong foundation, we have a state of the art Montessori section which rivals any high end system in a big city. At the same time we have a fully qualified religious teacher to impart Quranic education from the word go. Bringing education to their door step will preclude the chances of these little angles falling prey to subversive elements that are on the lookout for kids from under privileged background. Eradication of radicalization is, therefore, a major by- product of our efforts in the area. Our budget for 2016 was worked out at about PKR 2.00 million. This included teachers’ salaries, teachers’ accommodation, text books, stationery and the essential furniture. Our direct administrative expenditures have been negligible and come to less than 1% of the total budget. The budget for the year 2017 is estimated to be approximately PKR 3.00 million. While our earlier partners have pledged to be with us in the coming years, we need to look to other sources to meet the increase in our budgeted requirements. Perha Likhha Pakistan Trust now stands registered and an account in the name of the Trust has also been opened with Askari Bank Ltd. The account details are given below:-
Bank Name Askari Bank Ltd
Account Title Perha Likhha Pakistan Trust
Account No. 01770100583760
IBAN PK98ASCM0001770100583760


HOW CAN YOU BE A PART OF THIS PROJECT

As a Corporate Entity: -
Make our project a part of your CSR scheme and join hands with us to eradicate illiteracy, radicalization and poverty. As an individual: -
(i) Contribute PKR 14,00 per month or PKR 16,800 PER anum to support the education of a child

(ii) Convince at least three friends to do the same. We hope to make it one big family who care for the less fortunate amongst us. (iii) Contribute a lump sum amount towards a specific item like furniture, stationery, sports equipment etc. For more information and a peep at our activities visit us at plptrust.pk
Zahid Farooq
Group Captain (Retd)
Chair person
Perha Likhha Pakistan Trust