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About Us
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Saghir and Bushra
Aslam, the founders of Saba Aslam Education and Welfare Trust, have been helping
Pakistanis and others in need for four decades. This effort has been borne out of
a natural love for Pakistan, their country of origin, and has been enhanced by their
sense of gratitude for the opportunities and blessings of life in their adopted
country, the United States of America.
The Saba Trust’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged
and destitute people, both in Pakistan and in the U.S.A, and in other places around the world. Natural disasters seem to be a recurring feature of life, necessitating
timely and compassionate response to alleviate suffering. On a more daily basis,
many people in developing countries live under dire economic and social circumstances,
and hunger for opportunities to uplift themselves.
In Pakistan, the Saba Trust has been developing and supporting several types of
programs to address the humanitarian, educational, healthcare, and economic needs
of the masses. In some cases, Saba Trust’s staff members implement these programs
directly, while in others the Saba Trust supports the efforts of other like-minded
organizations and facilitates interaction between groups in order to maximize resources
and outcomes.
The Saba Trust’s programs are intended to make an immediate and tangible difference
at the grass-roots level. The Trust’s activities are focused on a number of major
areas:
- Humanitarian Relief:
When a major disaster strikes anywhere in the world, Saba Trust lead into action,
sending clothing, medicines, food, and supplies to help stabilize the affected area and ensure the population’s most basic needs are met.
- Health Care: Saba
Trust is committed to making free or low-cost health care available to those in need, by supporting clinics, emergency services, and
medical training in Pakistan.
- Education: Recognizing
that widespread literacy and a well-rounded education is the foundation for a vibrant,
tolerant society, Saba Trust supports numerous schools and universities, and provides
scholarships to deserving students.
- Vocational Training:
Providing new skills to men and women in Information Technology and other fields
enhances individual self-worth and improves Pakistan’s workforce and economic strength.
- Microcredit Assistance:
Saba Trust is helping to create a new generation of small business owners and
entrepreneurs throughout Pakistan. Small-scale temporary loans provide a means for
people to transform their lives.
- Interfaith Cooperation:
A priority for Saba Trust is to promote interfaith harmony between Pakistan and
America and elsewhere, on the belief that
bringing people of different faith traditions
together for the common good in all societies is critical for humanity’s collective
future.
- Nation Building:
Saba Trust believes that enhancing Pakistani civil society and strengthening the
democratic process is vital for the nation. Seminars and training programs help
create a more cohesive and productive Pakistan.
In the United States,
the founders of Saba Trust have supported numerous organizations and initiatives
for nearly forty years. As these activities in America became more frequent and
consistent, the founders decided in recent years to perform them under the banner
of the Aisha Syma Aslam Foundation. The ASA Foundation,
named
after the founders’
two daughters in order to inspire the next generation to carry on their legacy,
supports a variety of American humanitarian, educational, healthcare, and public
policy programs, often collaborating with other organizations. More information
about the ASA Foundation’s efforts may be found in the latter section of this brochure.
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