Dear Friend,
We would like to welcome you to FTCF’s first newsletter, which will be sent out every four months. Through this, we hope to keep you informed about our progress, share with you the stories and successes of our students, keep you updated about our recent and forthcoming events, and let you know about other news and developments.
We are proud to announce that in April 2009, the TCF network expanded to a momentous 600 schools, educating 80,000 children across 63 locations in Pakistan. Things have also been changing at FTCF. In September last year, we were sad to say goodbye to Mehvish Khan, who had spearheaded our fundraising work for the last five years and was instrumental in extending TCF’s UK profile. We wish her the very best of luck for the future. We are also delighted to be working with TCF’s newest staff members - Hina Suleman and Abeeha Khalid, who are now based in our new offices in London, and will be leading our fundraising and awareness-raising work. Hina and Abeeha bring exciting new perspectives and ideas to the team, and will, in particular, be working to develop our growing network of committed and enthusiastic volunteers.
As we look forward to making FTCF an even bigger and more dynamic sponsor of TCF’s activities in Pakistan, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support so far. Over the past few years, UK supporters have proven to be some of the most generous and committed to the TCF cause, and so much of our work would not have been possible without you.
Our new team looks forward to working with you to achieve many more milestones on the way to making a quality education for every child in Pakistan a reality. The recent tragic events in Pakistan have shown just how important our work is. We hope that TCF’s continued efforts will help to bring about peace and prosperity.
Signed
Trustees of Friends of The Citizens Foundation
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'Dreams of My Father' |
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TCF depends on the hard work and dedication of our supporters to raise awareness of our cause and mission, and to raise vital funds for the maintenance and construction of existing and new schools. Atif Ali is one such exceptional supporter. Here, Atif recounts how he raised over £95,000 for TCF in less than two years.
"It had always been my father’s dream to build a school in Pakistan. On 4th August 2008, I helped him realise this dream, as together we inaugurated the TCF Ilam Din & Allah Ditta primary school in the Mian Channu district of Pakistan."
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Volunteering opportunities
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This year, the Annual TCF Summer Camp will be open to UK volunteers too! It will be held at different TCF campuses from 13th July to 31st July 2009 and promises to be bigger, better and even more fun! It is open to enthusiastic volunteers (aged 16-25) who can help teach Science and English.
Why not turn your summer holidays into an experience of a lifetime!
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The Laugh's On Us |
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Following the rip roaring success of the last four years, in April FTCF once again presented an evening of great comedy at The Comedy Store, in the heart of London’s West End. Featuring some of the UK’s finest comic talent, the evening was hosted by Geoff Whiting, a specialist MC and TV warm up, and acts included Rob Rouse (of Channel 4’s the Friday Night Project and BBC 3’s Grown Ups), the up and coming hilarious Ahir Shah, and Quincy – an award-winning comedian as seen and heard on BBC3, Paramount Comedy, BBC1Xtra and BBC London. With sponsorship from Elevation Arts and a fantastic turnout on the night, the event was a great success! |
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"I love eating egg and toast!"
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Noreen Naz is 12 years old. She is a Class 7 (Year 8) student at the TCF Saadat Bari Campus in Shah Faisal, a small, densely populated town in eastern Karachi. Noreen lives with her parents and is one of five children. Her younger sister also goes to the TCF school. We asked Noreen about a typical day.
“I wake up for Fajr prayers and after breakfast, I get ready to go to school. Sometimes, my mum gives me two or three rupees (about 2 pence) to buy a snack at break time, but other times I get nothing at all."
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Educating for a Brighter Tomorrow in East London |
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In February, East London hosted ‘Educating for a Brighter Tomorrow’, FTCF’s first ever regional community fundraiser. Sponsored by two of East London’s leading fashion boutiques, Seasons and Gul’s Style, the evening kicked off with introductory remarks by TCF Trustee Imtiaz Dossa, and a screening of ‘Against the Tide’ – a documentary about the lives, hopes and aspirations of TCF’s students and their families. Guests were treated to a three-course meal and a fun-filled auction which featured Islamic calligraphy from Islamic Impressions, Ottoman replicas, and a sparring and training session at renowned boxer Amir Khan’s gym.
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Upcoming FTCF Events |
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ASICS British 5k or 10k Marathon – Sunday 12th July 2009
FTCF are looking for 42 volunteers to take part in these rewarding sponsored runs. Don’t waste time! Get fit! Be challenged! MAKE A DIFFERENCE! |
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Ilmathon – Monday 13th July 2009
Bring together friends and family to take part in FTCF’s sponsored walk through London’s historic Hyde Park. Walk to educate and turn your strides into schools!
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FTCF Kilimanjaro Trek 2009 – 16th-25th October 2009
Join us in climbing the infamous Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; the highest mountain on the continent and a magnet for trekkers the world over!
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To sign up for any of the aforementioned FTCF events, please email: info@ftcf.org.uk |
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Schools in Partnership |
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FTCF’s School Twinning project, which aims to partner the all-girl TCF Shirin Sultan Dossa School in Minhala, Lahore, Pakistan with Challney School for Girls in Luton, was launched in February.
The project came about when, having attended the FTCF evening with William Dalrymple in May 2007, Alan Palmer, Assistant Head teacher of Challney School for Girls, approached FTCF with an idea about students from our respective schools in the UK and Pakistan building educational and social links with each other.
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Playing their Part |
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March saw the return of FTCF’s much-anticipated Annual GOALS 5-a-side Football Tournament, with 15 teams from across London taking part. With a prize for the highest fundraising total also at stake alongside the winner’s cup, teams such as Seven Samurai began fundraising early, with some raising over a £1,000 each!
Read More
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Friends Of The Citizens Foundation
Lyon House
160-166 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1JR
Tel: 0845 230 1947
Charity Registration No. 1087864 |
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