During a three year work assignment in Chitral, Pakistan, Aly Nanji saw it was absolutely apparent that a change was put in place to better the lives of children and adults. IREAD’s best solution to the problems of poverty, ignorance and hopelessness was to start with the younger children and give them the best possible education.
“Visiting the villages we found that people were leading a very poor lifestyle, said Aly Nanji. “They were badly situated in the sense that there were no schools and there was no hope for the children.”
The Institute of Rural Education and Development was formed in 2009 by Aly Nanji and Dr. Noorali Jaffer to advance education in the developing world by establishing and operating Early Childhood Education Centres in the remote regions of the Chitral District in Pakistan.
“The impact to me is that I had tears in my eyes because these people are so thankful for what you’re doing,” said Dr Nooralli Jaffer. “That basically sealed the deal that I was coming back and I was going to help build schools.”
IREAD has worked on numerous projects and all with the same goals in mind – long term sustainability, advancement in education and a safe and healthy place for children to grow and learn. Aside from building Early Childhood Centres and training teachers, IREAD has also sponsored 64 students to begin schooling at the High School level.
IREAD wants to give young boys and girls hope and support to finish their High School education and pursue careers and a better life.
With future goals of expanding across the world, IREAD wishes to bring hope, stability and peace in the much needed areas of the third world.
via 2011 YMCA Peace Medal Recipients – YMCA Today, the YMCA Calgary Blog.
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