NGO lights the path for special children

In a bid to make special children good citizens of society, Alif Welfare Society, a non-governmental organisation, has called for collective efforts and government support.

According to Riffat Yasmeen Anwar, Principal of Young Muslim Inclusive Education and Founder of Alif Welfare Society, everyone needs to play their role in making the lives of special children easier and successful. She stressed the urgent need for legislation in the education sector to establish a separate educational board and curriculum for special children.

“Allah has blessed these children with more abilities than others. There is a need to give them special attention and build their confidence,” Anwar said while talking to the media on the occasion of a one-day free medical camp and rehab.

Alif Welfare Society has been working for a long time in the area of Hasan Abdal for the education and training of special children. The institution provides not only education but also has specialised doctors and specialists for their treatment. Many special children have been successfully treated and are living a normal life.

The purpose of organising a one-day medical camp was to create awareness among the people of the area and provide free medical check-ups to special children. Experts including neurosurgeon Dr Rabia Zubair, Dr Ahsan Raza, Dr Faisal Sultan, Dr Saleem Jadoon, Dr Tahir Mahmood, and Dr Muhammad Gul Anwar examined the children and discussed their issues with their parents.

Programme Coordinator Moiza Agha briefed the media that hundreds of special children are attending the free medical camp, which shows how much attention and medical facilities they need. She said special children have to go to Rawalpindi to get a certificate, which is a difficult task. The government should arrange a special desk at the local general hospital where special children can get certificates.

“The facilities available to special children in Pakistan are almost non-existent. We need to create awareness and eliminate despair from society. Instead of leaving these flowers of Allah on the streets, we should focus on them and make them an important part of society,” Agha said.

Many special students are playing their role in the development of this country after getting an education. The parents who attended the free medical camp thanked Alif Welfare Society and expressed satisfaction with the facilities provided.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2024.