The partnership will lead to the creation
of three satellite schools in flood-hit
regions of Sindh and Balochistan
Mazhar Ali Raza
Karachi: In observance of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, Bank Alfalah, one of Pakistan’s leading commercial banks, has collaborated with Deaf Reach’s flagship program under the Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF) to establish satellite schools in flood-affected areas.
Supporting Inclusive Education in Sindh and Balochistan
The partnership will lead to the creation of three satellite schools in flood-hit regions of Sindh and Balochistan. These schools aim to repurpose underutilized spaces to educate children in remote communities, where less than 5% have access to education. This initiative addresses the significant educational gap for over 1 million deaf children in Pakistan, promoting inclusivity and empowering marginalized communities.
Deaf Reach, the only school network for the Deaf in Pakistan, has been providing education and vocational training for over 30 years. It operates eight campuses and more than 20 satellite schools, offering sign language training, job placement, and a holistic curriculum to support deaf children and youth.
Bank Alfalah’s Commitment to Inclusivity
As part of this collaboration, Bank Alfalah has pledged PKR 24 million to fund the initiative. This is part of the bank’s second phase of relief efforts aimed at rebuilding lives and infrastructure in flood-impacted areas.
Atif Bajwa, President and CEO of Bank Alfalah, emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating:
“Bank Alfalah is dedicated to building an inclusive society where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to succeed. Our collaboration with Deaf Reach is a step toward providing equal access to education and vocational training.”
Bank Alfalah’s senior management team visited the Deaf Reach school, engaging directly with students, touring facilities, and participating in educational and vocational activities. This hands-on approach demonstrates the bank’s commitment to supporting the inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
Transforming Lives Through Quality Education
Richard Geary, Founder and Director of the Deaf Reach Program at FESF, expressed gratitude for the collaboration:
“Quality education has the power to transform lives for future generations. This partnership with Bank Alfalah will enable us to educate even more deaf children in underserved communities, paving the way for a brighter future for them. We deeply appreciate Bank Alfalah’s generous support in helping us move forward with our mission to ensure that every deaf child in Pakistan has access to literacy and learning.”
Promoting Inclusivity in Flood Recovery Efforts
As Pakistan recovers from devastating floods, this partnership highlights a pivotal move toward ensuring inclusivity in the rebuilding process. Observing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Bank Alfalah reaffirms its commitment to empowering marginalized communities by expanding educational access for individuals with disabilities.
