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My name is Zuha Shan. I am 15 years old and a student of Merryland International School in Abu Dhabi, and a keen supporter of the cause of education, especially of those less privileged residing in Pakistan. Living in the UAE, I’ve been fortunate to benefit from world-class educational opportunities. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for millions of children in Pakistan, who face barriers due to poverty.

Pakistan is in the midst of an education crisis. 

A staggering 26.2 million children in Pakistan are out of school. Many of them live in urban slums or rural areas, with little or no access to education. These children have the same potential as any of us—so why shouldn’t they have the same opportunities?

The Citizens Foundation (TCF) is a professionally managed non-profit organization that builds and operates schools in the urban slums and rural areas of Pakistan. The Economist has called TCF "perhaps the largest network of independently run schools in the world." TCF has 2,033 school units across Pakistan where children were previously out of school. The Foundation is the largest private employer of women in Pakistan with an all-female faculty of 14,700 teachers and principals. Currently, TCF has an enrolment of 301,000 deserving students.

This summer, I’m proud to be participating in the TCF Ambassadors of Change Programme! My goal is to raise funds to support TCF’s incredible work and help more children receive the education they deserve.

For this programme, I have made a campaign on the YallaGive website, which is an approved fundraising platform in the UAE.  Just AED 100 can support the education of two children at a TCF school for an entire month. Every contribution makes a real difference. Let’s give these children the gift of education and help turn small dreams into big realities.  Please support and share!

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