THE ART OF GIVING

Enabling their Future through a Quality Education- the children of the Sanjan Nagar School

 

Two years into a successful career in advertising, I realized that it wasn’t for me. The idea of spending my time creating communication about the aspirational value of things just didn’t ring true for me. So I took off in search for something more meaningful and transformative that truly changed people lives. I found it when I first visited the Sanjan Nagar School in 1996.

The vision of Raza Kazim - an eminent lawyer, musicologist, photographer, philosopher, audio system and “Saagar Veena” inventor and philanthropist, the School was created in search of the new citizen that would have access to a new way of thinking. The focus was on providing the highest standard of education, to girls of the lowest income bracket, completely free of cost and to see what transformation it would bring into their lives.

The school located in the industrial Glaxo Town, at that time, only had one efficient purpose-built brick structure. But nothing could have prepared me for the quality of education, the dedicated faculty, the facilities and the happy students inside.  I was amazed that the students of Sanjan Nagar were being given the same standard and facilities of education, as some of the best private schools in Lahore. This standard of program and attention to detail had such a profoundly positive effect on the students, that you could see it in their smiling faces and their confident, outspoken demeanor.

The dedication towards excellence is what propelled the art of giving for the Sanjan Nagar School, that has been a not-for-profit, free school with no fees and free school books for 19 years.  The school has only recently introduced a nominal fee in 2011. It is managed by the Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust, with a Board of Trustees consisting of respected professionals with expertise in finance, education, academics, psychology and social service.

The confident students of the Sanjan Nagar school

The empowerment of the students is perhaps best demonstrated, when in the summer of 2007 the graduates of Class 10 challenged the Trustees to reconsider the Trusts’ slogan of “enabling the deprived” to a slogan they wrote themselves of “Enabling our Future”. The students felt that each year at school, as their capabilities grew; they felt more empowered and less deprived.

Today the Sanjan Nagar School has grown into a phenomenal model. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the school for the inauguration of its new academic block, donated by a dynamic and understated  young  C.E.O, Mr. Faisal Bilal Qureshi of Elmetec ; one of the many generous contributors towards its journey of progress.

Due to its outstanding success with the female students and to on the parents popular demand,  the Sanjan Nagar school is now a co-educational institute with almost a 1000 students and a program from pre-primary to grade 12. It is the only school in Pakistan that is on its way to being certified with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program for the disadvantaged. The school along with an outstanding faculty has a holistic academic program that encompasses music, arts, crafts, computer studies, a science lab and sports. The students participate in international student exchange programs and online distance learning. They are scholarship and position holders. Its graduates are engineers, teachers, trainers, doctors, medical technologists; economists and commerce specialists.

 

The journey of giving at Sanjan Nagar is a long and fruitful one.  Everyone who has visited the school or met the visionary behind it has been moved by the cause, to donate to the school, through their work or participation in its fundraisers. The school has been supported by everyone, from the corporate sector to private donors who have been moved by its growth and commitment towards educational excellence.

The legendary M.F Hussian painting live for the Sanjan Nagar Visions in Harmony Fundraiser

The late Indian Artist, legendary M.F Hussain, was so impressed with the school, that he painted live canvases to the magical ghazal performance of Farida Khanum, at the Visions in Harmony fundraiser at Asif Jah Haveli in 1994. For Sanjan Nagar’s subsequent fundraisers, Indus Inspirations 1 and 2, over 50 leading Pakistani artists, from Salima Hashmi, Ahmed Khan, Ijaz-ul-Hassan, Bashir Ahmed, Collin David, Jamil Balouch, R.M Naeem, to many other distinguished artists donated their paintings for the art auction.  A coffee table book on the artists was created and auctioneers from Sotheby’s graciously conducted the events.  Hosts, Anwar Maqsood, poetess Zehra Nigah, Nadia Jamil, Faisal Qureshi and Maleeha Naipal have all made the fundraisers a memorable experience. From the late governor, Salman Taseer who bid for the first M.F Hussian painting, to Ali Zafar who was the highest bidder at the last fundraiser. The art of giving has continued to grow. 

 

Edward Rising from Sotheby's Auctioning Paintings at the SNPET fundraiser in Lahore.

Founder Sanjan Nagar, Raza Kazim with Shohaib Hashmi

 

Ali Zafar one of the biggest supporters of the Sanajn Nagar School with a student

 

The fantastic collection of paintings donated by Pakistani artists at the Long Room, Lords Cricket Ground, London.

 

It has been by honor and privilege to be a friend of the school and to assist with its fundraisers - Indus Inspirations 1, an art auction held in Lords Cricket Club, London and Indus Inspirations 2, held in Lahore. The response of everyone, from civil society, corporate heads, celebrities, to volunteers in raising funds for the school and the cause of education has always been overwhelming.

 

Sanjan Nagar is scheduled to have their annual fundraising event this year, featuring the talented Ali Noor & Ali Hamza of Noori, at a musical evening with dinner and an art auction at the Royal Palm on November 4th. The tickets are a donation for Rs 10,000 (single entry) or you can buy corporate tables for Rs 100,000 and Rs 150,000. I hope that everyone will donate towards the cause of education in Pakistan because it is the most transformative tool that this country needs. I believe that at heart we are a nation of givers, we are optimistic and we want to see positive change in Pakistan. What better investment is there, then education, because it really has the power to transform lives and change the destiny of our Country.

Sanjan Nagar is special because it is a source of inspiration and pride for everyone. It houses many heroes.  Their young principal, Raheela Akram, is a mother and trained psychologist who commutes everyday from the inner city to Glaxo town to give back to the community. Its many talented staff members like the award winning, Misbah Rani, Early Years Head, teaches with a passion and Fakhra Bashir, a former student and now proud teacher, who’s pursuing an evening IT degree. Mrs. Tasneem Maqbool, a trustee who has dedicated her time and efforts in serving the school for the last 17 years. There are so many to appreciate and to be inspired by.

The Sanjan Nagar School is a place to visit and experienced firsthand. You can volunteer your time by just going and reading a book or being part of their guest series workshops and classes. For more visit their website http://www.snpet.org

I can still hear the melodious voices of the children ringing in my head,

“What are u waiting for another day another talk,
Somewhere we have to find a new way to peace
What are you waiting for another sign another call,
Somewhere we have to find a new way to peace”
                                                                                                                     (Nusrat Fateh Ali & A.R Rehman)  

My country and my people are full of heroes. I salute them and am humbled by their excellence every single day. Find Your Peace. Be a hero.  Make a difference today!