This Pakistani Girl Started An NGO for the Poor When She Was Only 17

Teenage years are generally considered the most irrational and naive years of our lives. Most of us spend that time playing games and indulging in mischievous activities. While the rest of us were deciding what to wear on our birthdays, one 17-year old from Karachi, Hira Zainab, was contemplating the idea of starting her own non-governmental organization (NGO) that helps the poor.

At a very young age, Hira was perturbed by the inequality she saw all around her. As a Pakistani, she made it her mission to do something about it. Hira decided to set up an NGO at 17.

Here’s her story.

 

About Hira

Hira is currently completing her Masters degree. She also writes columns and blogs from time to time. She is also very creative at drawing and painting. But one thing that makes her stand out from your typical teenage crowd is the NGO ‘First Hand Foundation‘ that she runs.

“An Idea Popped In My Head”

When Hira was in college, she started working towards bridging the gap between the rich and the poor. While we wanted the new iPhone, she felt guilty and undeserving of her luxuries. She started her journey to helping the disadvantaged by visiting orphanages, and by conducting clothes donation drives.

I was trying to understand capitalism, and how the world works. Why is it that I deserve to sleep on a comfy mattress and a little kid deserves to sleep on bricks?

God will not come down here; what He does is that he created a purpose in your life.

Hira is inspired by people, every single day, to help the ones in need. She could see a little kid who carries trash every day to earn and survive, and wanted to ensure that their circumstances became better.

It was her dad and his values that inspired this young feminist to take a stand against injustice. She also looked up to Abdus Sattar Edhi and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

 

 

Moments of Pure Joy

When you’re trying to change someone’s life, you have to work with all that you’ve got. The hard work pays off even if a single life is changed for the good.

Moments of overwhelming pleasure surround the life of Hira, because of the people she’s helped. She recalls one experience that stayed with her during her current endeavors:

Someone had a complicated delivery case and needed blood. I arranged it through the portal that’s a collaborative effort of 3 NGOs. I moved on to other projects, but one day I received an anonymous letter from the lady who was in need. She told me how grateful she was and that I saved their life. She’s even named her baby girl after me. Her name is ‘Hira Zainab’.

Hira cried tears of joy that day, and will always hold it close to her heart.

 

 

The Very Beginning

Building an organization is a slow process, and the only help Hira had was from social media. Her father helped a lot; taking her to NGOs and helping her in building an NGO of her own.

By the time she was in university, a lot of people knew her, and admired her strength. Spurred by her example, many came on board with her.

While Hira says she has a lot more to do still, thankfully, she’s now gotten volunteers and supporters in different parts of Pakistan.

The First Hand Foundation focuses on building schools for the underprivileged. It also helps people who are unemployed but are willing to work in setting up businesses.

The foundation also arranges awareness campaigns and blood donation drives. Other than that they also participate in peace walks and iftar drives.

 

 

Stand For The Cause

Being a woman, things can get very hard sometimes, especially in Pakistan. Hira’s parents were always there to support her in her decisions. While her mom was doubtful and worried about her safety for the most part, she was never told to stop chasing her dreams.

I think I’m blessed. I think they (people) give me a lot of credit and im very grateful. It’s a nice feeling when people (especially kids) come to me and they ask me questions about my NGO. Kids are fond of me and fond of the idea of running an NGO. That makes me happy, but also scares me at the same time.

When someone looks up to you, they try to imitate your moves, that is a HUGE responsibility. I would never want to set a bad example even unintentionally. I’m always scared of that.

Hira says everyone should do what they want and not let anyone or anything stop them. If you set your mind to it, nothing is impossible.

LISTEN, you can do this, like all the people in the world you don’t need everyone’s support, approval, and validation. At the end of the day, nobody else is going to save you from your fears and insecurities and challenges that your brain throws at you.

Just follow your dreams, do whatever you want to and live your life how you want. Do the right thing, don’t ever fall in the pit where every other person turns into a sheep. Be smart enough to realize whats right and whats wrong and don’t hold back from voicing your opinions.

Hira has a heart of pure gold. She started an NGO at 17, and at 25, she hopes that she can help more people and leave a lasting impact on their lives.

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