One of the most oft quotes in persian about Kashmir was, “Gar Firdaus ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin asto”. (If there is a paradise on earth; it is this, it is this, it is this). But several decades of turmoil and neglect has left the resource-rich, but tourism-based economy of this beautiful valley in complete shatters. Quality education is one of the most critical areas that can bring about vibrancy in all walks of life in the Kashmir Valley.

The Kashmir Education Initiative (www.kashmirei.org), KEI, organized its fourth annual program in Massachusetts on Nov 21 at Islamic Center of Wayland (www.icbwayland.org).

Over 150 well-wishers joined to hear about the work of KEI in the last year. In this annual program, KEI educates its donors and well-wishers on not only their financial and operational aspects, but also shares with great details of those whose lives have been transformed by KEI. The spectrum of those helped ranges for students from High School (grades 9 thru 12), to the under-graduate, graduate, post graduate and pre-doctoral. They are provided with individualized mentorship and guidance and all scholarships are merit-cum-means based. There is also a transitional scholarship, in which bright students are guided and prepared for professional entrance examinations.

Dr. Rashid Bhat, one of the founders talked about their Experiential Opportunities Program which organizes workshops that give students hands on experience with educational areas like journalism, videography, fine arts, environmental sciences etc. Faisal Farooq, another (Co-founder and high school scholarship program director) reported the progress and academic accomplishments of KEI scholars. The most inspiring thing about the evening was the stories of individual students and how the KEI programs have impacted not only their academic lives but also their social well being.

Amin Bhat, who leads the marketing and outreach efforts at KEI, said, “With fiscal transparency and more than eight years of on ground experience we are ready to take KEI educational programs to the next level”. He reported that scholarships amounts have increased from $15,000 in 2010 to $112,000 in 2015.  He thanked all the donors, sponsors and supporters without whom this would not be possible.

Syed Ali Rizvi, who joined the Kashmir Education Initiative on their board of directors, felt that KEI has a very strong team of dedicated volunteers and they have been passionately running several meaningful programs. The need is to ensure a continuous growth of KEI and this can happen by spreading the message of KEI far and wide and within our local communities. There are a lot of good people who wish to make a difference. Our efforts will be to reach out to them.

Shuja Malik who joined KEI as a volunteer in 2011 and looks after the Sponsor1child program, is on the lookout for passionate people to provide resources so that they can increase their intake in their S1C program.

Suhail Rashid, the President of KEI, said that the Kashmir Valley has been through very troubled times and to reverse the damage from decades, a lot more has to be done to bring quality literacy programs, mentorships and support and to promote all-round development of children by giving them better skills and use of technology.

The KEI Office in India is doing a superb job. Said Dr. Shaida Andrabi - there is total transparency in fund allocation and usage. The field coordinators and the interns are our life-blood and they take complete ownership of their assignments. We are blessed to have a great team supported by a loving and caring donor and well-wisher base. KEI is a tax-exempt organization located in Wayland, Massachusetts. KEI believes in the transforming lives through education and within the last 8 years of its existence, it has made huge progress in providing access to quality education to the marginalized students. KEI has developed a vibrant mentorship program that provides guidance to students in their formative years. KEI also runs an internship program for US college students who want to consider Kashmir as their destination for a senior year of internship.

Umar Sheikh is a treasurer of KEI and also manages the volunteer coordination and strategy. He said that KEI will be able to do much more than the 700 students that it helped last year, if we received more funds and dedicated volunteers.

The financial performance of KEI is amongst the best of world-class charities. Check us out.

Donations to Kashmir Education Initiative KEI are tax deductible.

|