Alight in action

in Pakistan

47K+

received health care and support  

14K+

accessed water, sanitation, and hygiene services

22K+

received shelter and non-food items  

Founding year
2002
Customers served
Afghans, Pakistanis
Enterprise Executive Director
Tariq Cheema
Follow Alight enterprise
Challenge

Approximately a quarter of Pakistanis live below the poverty line, the unemployment rate is high, and many children are forced to leave school and work in low-paying jobs to provide for themselves and their families. Access to education varies across the country, but generally girls and children from rural areas are worse off. Pakistan is also the third-largest refugee-hosting country in the world, with 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees and many more displaced people living here unofficially. Many of them have no access to education, legal work, or even public healthcare.

Impact
  • Enrolled 1,101,549 out-of-school children, including 505,091 girls, into education programs
  • Established 233 non-formal/community schools offering a flexible alternative option to those unable to join mainstream schools
  • Upgraded 4,266 existing public schools, increasing their capacity to accept more students
How non-formal schools are vital for  Pakistan's children

In Pakistan, non-formal primary education schools stand as beacons of hope for children who have been forced out of the formal education system. These schools offer an alternative path to education, particularly vital for rural children and girls facing social barriers. Recognizing their importance, Alight provided essential supplies, from blackboards to stationery, to nearly 5,000 of these non-formal schools across the country to ensure that every child has access to quality education.

Fighting malnutrition after the floods

The 2022 flood in Wah Burira, Pakistan led to high rates of childhood malnutrition. In response, Alight and IMANA collaborated on a Community Management of Acute Malnutrition project along with local partners and hospitals. A three-day pediatric dermatology clinic complemented the health intervention, featuring nutrition awareness sessions emphasizing healthy habits and malnutrition prevention for overall well-being.

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