Now that she’s receiving an education, Naureen is the hope of her broken family. But two years ago, when the 2014 Pakistan floods swept away their home, Naureen would never have imagined that disaster was a turning point for a better life.
The youngest of three siblings, Naureen lost her father at the age of five. Forced to provide for her family by herself, Naureen’s widowed mother, Shaheen, started working as a labourer. Her wages were meagre and life was hard, but at least they had a roof over their heads. Shaheen could never have foreseen that they would soon lose that too.
When the floods destroyed everything, Shaheen and her children were left homeless. They were forced to move to the capital city of Muzaffarabad, where Shaheen hoped to find work that could pay for rent. It was during this time of extreme hardship that she found Al Mustafa Welfare Trust (AMWT).
Not long after applying for orphan sponsorship for Shaheen’s youngest, AMWT staff found Naureen a sponsor. They didn’t lose time in enrolling her at Ashiyana Orphan Home, in Kahori, where she has been living and studying since. Run by AMWT, the Home provides care and security for orphan girls without protection. Through our Orphan Sponsorship Programme, we’re able to ensure Naureen and her friends are provided with all of their basic needs.
Now Naureen is receiving a primary school education as well as undertaking Quranic studies to become a hafiz. Her mother is proud that one day her youngest daughter will be able to forge a better life for herself through her education.