Making Eid extra-special for the underprivileged

Peace Youth Club members to conduct fundraising drive in the capital.

ISLAMABAD:

One is never too old to receive a gift for Eid. This is an idea that has motivated a group of high school, college and university students to raise funds and buy presents for members of an underprivileged community in the capital.

Around 50 Peace Youth Club (PYC) members at Interfaith League Against Poverty (I-LAP) held a meeting to chalk out a plan for the donation. They have identified hospitals, rehabilitation centres, orphanages and Saidpur village as potential benefactors.

Furthermore, they discussed the various items that could be placed in the gift boxes for children, adults and elderly persons. The members brainstormed a number of gift ideas for their upcoming donation drive including stationery, toy cars, play dough, stuffed toys, dinkies, biscuits, chocolates, mehndi and bangles.

PYC member Miysha Hussain recalled preparing Christmas gifts for the patients at a hospice last year. The club members had presented woolen shawls to women and fleece jackets to men among edible items and toys for children. The gift list for summers would have some variations of clothing and toiletries.



The club has thus far gathered Rs6,300 for the cause. To raise more funds, they will be collecting donations from areas around the capital. According to the plan, they will go door-to-door, to traffic signals and market places to collect funds. They will then go buy the stocks in bulk, prepare the gift boxes and distribute them among the beneficiaries before Eid.

I-LAP Chairman Sajid Ishaq said that as citizens of Pakistan, we should work together and promote peace, interfaith harmony and tolerance.

It is high time that those who believe in peaceful coexistence should become vocal in a country where religion is being used for vested interests.

Members of different faiths including Christians and Hindus were also present at the meeting. Our religious beliefs should not come in the way of how we interact with others.

We should try to be good ambassadors and exercise tolerance, patience and make impartial decisions, said I-LAP Executive Director Nazia Ansari.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2013.