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Humanitarion Relief
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Disaster Relief
Flood Relief Camps
Islamabad and Rawalpindi suffered major losses from heavy rains in 2002. The downpour
was said to cause the worst flooding in the area in over 200 years. Saba Aslam Trust
made every effort to help victims of flooding and water damage. Four relief and
medical camps were established in Mohan Pura, Arjun Nagar and Bhatta Naik Aalam
in Rawalpindi. Saba Aslam Trust distributed clothes, blankets, toys, food and medicine
to victims of the torrential downpour.
Water Supply For Villages
Some areas of rural Pakistan suffer from a lack of potable water due to draught
and contaminated or unclean bodies of water. Saba Trust has been instrumental in
bringing drinking water to different villages in Pakistan such as Jagiot. Financial
help was rendered to establish an infrastructure for clean drinking water for the
people living in and around the village. Currently, other locations such as Khuian
are under study and funds are being organized to provide similar water supply facilities
in these villages.
Earthquake Relief Camps
Periodic earthquakes cause tremendous damage in rural areas of Pakistan where buildings
and structures are often unable to withstand jolts and tremors. Hundreds and sometimes
thousands of people lose their homes and businesses and become destitute in an instant.
When earthquakes strike, Saba Aslam Trust rushes to provide relief in the form of
clothing, food, medicine, blankets and other supplies.
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Distribution
of Clothing
Given the condition of poverty in which many Pakistanis find themselves, it becomes
difficult for them to acquire adequate clothing, bedding, and other materials. In
order to address the need in an economical and practical fashion, Saba Aslam Trust
began a program whereby second-hand clothing, shoes, blankets, and other items in
good condition are collected from concerned individuals in the United States and
redistributed in Pakistan. In addition to diseminating a large quantity of materials
to needy Pakistanis, the program has the added benefit of preventing wastage of
items that might otherwise be discarded. The redistribution of clean, functional
clothing and supplies helps prolong their use and helps the environment in the process.
To date, over a million poor and needy people in Pakistan have benefited from this
program. The donated materials are typically distributed in relief camps, through
a network of partner organizations such as Rotary International, Edhi Foundation,
Shifa Falahee Clinic and others, established in regions affected by conflict, economic
hardship, natural disaster or other adversity. With Allah’s blessing, over the last
thirty plus years Saba Aslam Trust has been able to make a difference for over fifty
thousand (50,000) families throughout Pakistan (see the chart for a partial list
of villages where materials have been distributed).
In the last few years, a dozen large shipping containers (40 ft.) full of donated
clothes, shoes, blankets, toys, books and other supplies have been sent from the
United States to Pakistan for distribution among Afghan refugees and poor Pakistanis.
The materials were distributed at various camps throughout Pakistan, as well as
at the Saba Aslam Trust headquarters. Collection and distribution is on-going, but
Saba Aslam Trust makes an extra effort to distribute needed items during crises
such as floods, famine, or earthquake. Over a million clothing items have been distributed
through many camps since the inception of this program.
Special thanks are due to the Chohan family for coordinating the shipments to Pakistan,
and to Mr. Farukh Zia for providing special large containers at various collection
sites in the U.S.
In addition to distributing clothing items generally, the Saba Aslam Trust has made
sure to address the specific needs of certain groups, as follows:
Distribution of Bedding (lehaf)
During spring 2002, the city of Rawalpindi and surrounding suburbs experienced heavy,
unexpected rains that caused significant destruction. Many houses of poor people
living along the banks of the Nullah Lye river were washed away, along with their
belongings. After the sudden downpour and flooding, many were left with nothing
but the clothes they were wearing.
Especially concerned about people being exposed to the elements during the winter,
Saba Aslam Trust immediate went into action and set up several flood relief camps.
Among the supplies distributed, beddings (lehaf) were provided to the flood victims
so that they would at least have a warm bed in which to sleep during the immediate
aftermath of the tragedy. Hundreds of bedding sets were distributed in different
localities affected by the rain. The first camp was arranged for victims from Mohallah
Banni, Bhatta Naik Aalam, and New Katarian.
Saba Aslam Trust staff issued slips to households after checking to see if they
needed bedding sets. Thus, each needy household could redeem the slip and obtain
a set and ensure that a maximum number of families would receive the needed materials.
The Nazims, Naib Nazims and council members of the provincial government assisted
in this process.
Distribution of Dowry Clothes
Some of the clothing collected in good condition is set aside for families who can
use the items for the purpose of traditional dowry offerings between families who
have children of marriageable age. Saba Aslam Trust’s staff sifts through the donated
clothing to locate and prepare young men’s suits, young ladies’ clothing, shoes,
handbags and other items to give to poor families who wish to marry off their daughters
with dignity and family honor, but who would otherwise be unable to do so. The need
for dowry clothes has been tremendous among and families who receive these clothes
from Saba Aslam Trust express great appreciation.
Distribution of Gift Boxes
In spring 2002, the Mission Viejo Society, a Christian community in the city of
Mission Viejo, California, sent five hundred gift boxes for distribution among Afghan
refugees through Saba Aslam Trust. Each box consisted of 28 items for children,
including small toys, writing boards, crayons, hair brushes, candy, and other things
that children would find useful. The gift boxes were distributed at a camp in sector
I-10, which is accessible to people from many surrounding areas. Children who received
the gift boxes were overjoyed at this show of support and compassion, and their
parents appreciated the gesture of interfaith friendship.
Jackets 67,300 Distribution of Clothes, Shoes, Blankets,
Toys, etc.
Over a million articles of clothing and other items have been distributed at dozens
of relief camps throughout Pakistan, as well as at the Saba Aslam Trust headquarters.
Clothing and other items are basic necessities at all times of the year, but become
especially important when floods, famines, and earthquakes occur. This is an on-going
activity, and concerned individuals in the United States and elsewhere can render
help to many Pakistanis and Afghan refugees simply by cleaning out their often over-stuffed
closets! It is hoped that collection centers will emerge nationwide in the U.S.
to facilitate the shipment of quality second-hand materials to those in need in
Pakistan and elsewhere.
The Chohan family’s Contribution
Saba Aslam Trust is proud to recognize the important role played by Shaukat Ali
Chohan and his family, who reside in Orange County, California. The entire family,
comprised of Shaukat, his wife Mehmooda, and their children Omar, Nadia, Kamal,
and Sadia, has taken up the challange of collecting the donated clothing in the
U.S. and shipping it to Pakistan. It has truly become their humanitarian mission,
and they have contributed above and beyond the call of duty.
The Chohan family has paid 100% of the U.S. operational costs for the clothing distribution
program. This includes picking up and transporting clothing and other donated goods
to a central warehouse in Los Angeles, providing labor at their warehouse to store
the clothing and prepare it for shipping, and other logistical details. In addition,
the Chohan family has paid the shipping charges for every single container that
has been sent from the U.S. to Pakistan since program’s inception, along with port
charges in Pakistan.
Mr. Chohan has indicated to Mr. Aslam that this program is very dear to his family,
because they know they are helping those who are really in need, as well as giving
back to his motherland. He and his family get tremendous satisfaction out of this
endeavor, and will continue to supoport this program 100% as this is one of the
best projects to benefit others that he has ever been involved in. With Allah’s
blessing Saba Trust has distributed clothes and other goods to over a million people.
Items distributed in brand new condition include:
Clothing: 36,000 Fruit-of-the-Loom T-shirts, Long-sleeve T-shirts for women, and
Sweat shirts; Hand Knitted Caps; Hand knittted Gloves; Socks; Scarfs; Shoes; Wedding
suits; Men’s suiting; and Fabrics (including ultra suede, party fabrics, brocades,
poplin, and silk). Supplies: Coloring books; Chalk boards & chalk; Pencils;
Pencil sharpeners; Erasers; Crayons. Personal hygiene products: Shampoo; Toothpaste;
Tooth brushes; Soap; Wash Cloths; Hair brushes; Combs; Chapstick lip balms. Snacks:
Granola Bars; Cookies (including homemade cookies wrapped as gifts); Hard Candy;
Lolipops. Toys: Stuffed Animals; Cars & Trucks; Puzzles; Balloons; Jump ropes;
Jars of bubbles; Magic slates; and many similar items along with craft items. Gift
Boxes: 500 special packages for kids. |
Financial Support
Widow Welfare
Saba Aslam Education & Welfare Trust has established a Welfare Committee named
Saba Welfare Committee. The objectives of this committee are to supply foodstuffs
for widows on a monthly basis and to help needy orphans by supplying books, copies,
school stationery and fees for their study.
Funds for these purposes are arranged through membership fees, individual donations,
and zakat allocations. Saba Aslam Trust has started a membership for this committee.
The minimum monthly membership fee is Rs. 50 per month and there is no maximum amount.
This means that even those with the most limited means in America can afford to
support a fellow person in need in Pakistan!
The Saba Welfare Committee at present supplies foodstuff to two widows monthly at
the rate of Rs. 500 each. This will be increased as the number of members increases.
Family Sponsorship
Saba Aslam Education & Welfare Trust endorses and supports the efforts of Rahat’s
Friends. This endeavor encourages Pakistani Americans and other concerned individuals
to sponsor a family in Pakistan by making a modest monthly contribution. The program
is designed to be feasible for most people fortunate enough to live in a place of
opportunity and prosperity such as the United States—at a cost of just one dollar
a day ($30 a month), contributors can take comfort and pride in their direct involvement
in uplifting a whole family in Pakistan.
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