Northern Areas orphanage appeals for donations

Staff Report

GILGIT: The Sahara Orphans Education Welfare Organisation in Konodas was established 15 years ago and was running smoothly until funding was withdrawn, leaving the institution in financial straits.

At a ceremony held on Friday, orphanage principal Maulana Hussain Ahmed said they had enrolled over 100 orphan students but because of financial problems they had failed to arrange uniforms for them and had been compelled to close down the hostel facility.

He said that even though they were providing books and other educational facilities free of cost they saw a drop in enrolment when the influx of donations stopped. Mr Ahmed said the Northern Areas Education Department had provided them with three teachers and a peon, but teachers had not been paid salaries for the past three months.

He demanded land to upgrade the orphanage to the college level, provide drinking water, increase in teachers’ salaries and transport. He also demanded funds for payments of house rents for the existing facility Rs 5,000 per month. Speaking as chief guest on the occasion, Northern Areas Education Advisor Hafizur Rahman announced providing up to Rs 80,000 and computers along with three teachers under the Madrasah Reforms Programme in the Northern Areas. He asked the principal to collect Rs 30,000 allocated for the orphanage.

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