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2011 Thaakat Foundation Annual Report
2011
Thaakat Foundation Annual Report
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Our mission is to promote charitable giving amongstudents and young professionals in the local and
national community, and beyond…
…to drive a movement of creative altruism, unparalleledgiving, and preservation of diversity and culture…
...to bring hands on volunteerism in our communitiesand hope to our global society.
1
Our mission is to promote charitable giving amongstudents and young professionals in the local and
national community, and beyond…
…to drive a movement of creative altruism, unparalleledgiving, and preservation of diversity and culture…
...to bring hands on volunteerism in our communitiesand hope to our global society.
1
Our mission is to promote charitable giving amongstudents and young professionals in the local and
national community, and beyond…
…to drive a movement of creative altruism, unparalleledgiving, and preservation of diversity and culture…
...to bring hands on volunteerism in our communitiesand hope to our global society.
2
VitalityStrength
Social
Courage
Altruism Development
ThaakatCharity
ConsciousnessUnity
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Table of Contents
Letter from the Board of Directors 4
Board of Directors 5
Financial Report 6 – 9
Local Division – A Year of Giving Back 10
Volunteering 12 – 15
The Swab Mob – Why Marrow? 16 – 17
Thaakat University Chapters 18 – 19
Global Division – Expanding Horizons & Building Partnerships 20
Hope for Japan 22
Pakistan Flood Relief 22 – 23
Raise the Roofs for Africa 24
Project Re-Born Africa 25
Edesia Plumpy’nut Africa 26
Dreams for Kachra Kundi 27
What to Expect in 2012 – A Few Highlights 28
Thank You 29
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Letter from the Board of Directors2011 was an incredibly ambitious year of growth for Thaakat Foundation, now going four years strong! Welaunched new projects locally and for the first time in Africa, fundraised for viable causes to provide relief in Japanand Joplin, Missouri, continued relief efforts in Pakistan where we also launched a new project, all while formingbonding partnerships with organizations and leaders who helped us reach new heights.
Disasters struck across the globe, leaving many vulnerable lives in catastrophic conditions. As a small organization,we scrambled to see how we could help more people. We strived to reflect the reality that Thaakat is in factboundless.
With hopes to grow our mission towards alleviating poverty, we were soon blessed with new opportunities. Overthe course of the year, fourteen supporting chapters of Thaakat sprouted at universities and colleges across thecountry. Each chapter brought out their passion to help others with an attention to detail and robust creativity,setting them apart as a brand new organization on campus.
With all these additional helping hands, not only were we able to support multiple people and projects around theglobe but we were also able to adopt entire communities! This was the beginning of something hopeful for thosein the humble village of Blama Perri, Sierra Leone who had access for the first time, to a real home. With your helpthe residents of Blama Perri now have the first ‘outhouses’ the village has ever seen! They will soon have an onsitematernity center available for their tiniest guests, a project which is currently under construction! For the firsttime, children in Blama Perri are seeing a vision for their futures and an outpouring of requests to attend schoolhave been echoing through the town.
During the last week of December 2011, our Executive Director Uzma Bawany was fortunate enough to visit ourproject site for “Dreams for Kachra Kundi” in Pakistan. “There are no words to describe my experience for it issomething that can only be felt. As we entered the shantytowns bordering the hills of waste, cow manure, andburning garbage, my heart dropped to see these children trying to fight the worst kind of poverty. The smoke andpollution was so strong that even the few moments spent there were difficult to spare. As I walked into theclassrooms of Idara Al Khair, the organization managing the school, a strong sense of hope emerged. Children withzero access to the outside world were sitting there writing in English. Their little hands passionately wrote as theirsmiles conquered any sense of agony.” Uzma recalls.
In this last year with your help, not only have we been able to bring beauty to those in poverty but we have beenable to bring rise to charity of a different sort. Through our local volunteer projects, we have continued to bringliveliness and joy to those at shelters, nursing homes, and learning centers and have been able to bring almost 700new registrations to the National Bone Marrow Registry.
Giving is an attitude. It is positively contagious. It is a constant dedication that becomes an everyday part of life.For every smile that you give and every dollar that is received, there is someone, somewhere who will pass thatsource of encouragement onto someone else.
Thank you to all of those who continue to support us, donate to our projects, and volunteer their time with ourefforts. It is all of you who have helped us rise above the notion that we were limited in our powers to help others.For that, we wholeheartedly thank you.
Peace and Love,
Board of Directors, Thaakat Foundation
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Uzma Bawany Ali – Executive Director
Ammara Bokhari – Global Ambassador
Mahreen Younus – Treasurer
Sarah Khan – Growth & Expansion
Omar Salim – Local Division Chair
Denish Ghayal – Creative Director
Puja Patel – Diversity Council Chair
Nudrat Zoha – Sponsorship Management
Amreena Khan – Public Relations
Mohammed Ali – Investment Management
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Uzma Bawany Ali – Executive Director
Ammara Bokhari – Global Ambassador
Mahreen Younus – Treasurer
Sarah Khan – Growth & Expansion
Omar Salim – Local Division Chair
Denish Ghayal – Creative Director
Puja Patel – Diversity Council Chair
Nudrat Zoha – Sponsorship Management
Amreena Khan – Public Relations
Mohammed Ali – Investment Management
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Uzma Bawany Ali – Executive Director
Ammara Bokhari – Global Ambassador
Mahreen Younus – Treasurer
Sarah Khan – Growth & Expansion
Omar Salim – Local Division Chair
Denish Ghayal – Creative Director
Puja Patel – Diversity Council Chair
Nudrat Zoha – Sponsorship Management
Amreena Khan – Public Relations
Mohammed Ali – Investment Management
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Financial ReportFiscal year 2011 was definitely a year of growth for Thaakat Foundation as we supported eight local andglobal projects. We increased our financial support to these campaigns by approximately 27% comparedto the previous year. Thaakat Foundation’s contributions came from three major areas: Grants &Sponsorships, Local Fundraising Events, and General Donations. As Thaakat continues to expand in itsChicago home base and nationally, we hope to see this growth trend continue through 2012.
$14,825.38
$7,320.64
$6,165.00
$20,115.22
Where Donations Came From in 2011
General Donations
University Chapter Fundraising Events
Sponsors & Grants
Local Fundraising Events
Note: All operating expenses for local fundraising events and local volunteer events were covered through grants, sponsorships andinternally raised funds. Additional contributions were allocated strictly to each of our local and global campaigns.
Monies Raised:$48,426
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$3,971.00
$6,000.00
$3,000.00
$687.74
$1,189.57
$11,000.00
$11,000.00
$5,000.00
$3,000.00
$1,000.00$857.92
How Your Support Helped in 2011
Japan Disaster Relief
Pakistan Flood Relief
Raising the Roofs - Africa
Local Volunteer Projects &Donations
PR, Fees & Overhead
Edesia Plumpy'Nut
Dreams for Kachra Kundi
Project Re-Born
Rebuild Joplin- Ozarks FoodHarvest (Joplin, MO)
Community SustainedFarmland
Thaakat Baskets
Monies Raised: $48,426
Monies Used: $46,706
Of the total donations raised, 96% of the money went directly towards our charitable projects and helpingour causes with only 4% related to operating costs.
All operating expenses including local fundraising events and local volunteer events were covered throughgrants, sponsorships, and internally raised funds.
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-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
GeneralDonations
Donation Comparision : 2011 vs. 2010
Amidst current economic conditions, Thaakat Foundation experienced robust growth of approximately 27%for FY 2011 when compared to FY 2010. Total donations were sourced from four specific categories such as‘Local Fundraising Events’ (47.4%), ‘General Donations’ (41.5%), ‘University Chapter Fundraising Events’(15.1%), ‘Sponsors and Grants’ (12.7%), which totaled $48,426 for FY 2011 compared to $38,030 for FY2010. ‘Local Fundraising Events’ and ‘General Donations’ were responsible for approximately 90% of totaldonations for FY 2011, however, Thaakat’s focus on expansion of its new chapters and acquiring newsponsors and grants led to over 100% growth in each respective category from the prior year.
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GeneralDonations
UniversityChapter
FundraisingEvents
Sponsors andGrants
LocalFundraising
Events
Donation Comparision : 2011 vs. 2010
Amidst current economic conditions, Thaakat Foundation experienced robust growth of approximately 27%for FY 2011 when compared to FY 2010. Total donations were sourced from four specific categories such as‘Local Fundraising Events’ (47.4%), ‘General Donations’ (41.5%), ‘University Chapter Fundraising Events’(15.1%), ‘Sponsors and Grants’ (12.7%), which totaled $48,426 for FY 2011 compared to $38,030 for FY2010. ‘Local Fundraising Events’ and ‘General Donations’ were responsible for approximately 90% of totaldonations for FY 2011, however, Thaakat’s focus on expansion of its new chapters and acquiring newsponsors and grants led to over 100% growth in each respective category from the prior year.
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Donation Comparision : 2011 vs. 2010
2011
2010
Amidst current economic conditions, Thaakat Foundation experienced robust growth of approximately 27%for FY 2011 when compared to FY 2010. Total donations were sourced from four specific categories such as‘Local Fundraising Events’ (47.4%), ‘General Donations’ (41.5%), ‘University Chapter Fundraising Events’(15.1%), ‘Sponsors and Grants’ (12.7%), which totaled $48,426 for FY 2011 compared to $38,030 for FY2010. ‘Local Fundraising Events’ and ‘General Donations’ were responsible for approximately 90% of totaldonations for FY 2011, however, Thaakat’s focus on expansion of its new chapters and acquiring newsponsors and grants led to over 100% growth in each respective category from the prior year.
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0%20%40%60%80%
100%120%
GeneralDonations
UniversityChapter
FundraisingEvents
Thaakat Foundation Growth in 2011 (%)
Specifically, ‘Sponsors and Grants’, which accounted for 13% of total donations in FY 2011, experiencedthe most significant growth of approximately 116% from the prior year. This was followed by 109%growth from ‘University Chapters Fundraising Events’, which accounted for 15% of total donations forthe year.
Looking forward, Thaakat anticipates an increase in donation contribution from both categories as itcontinues to focus on expansion of its chapters on a national level and generating sponsors and grantsthrough its current platform and the aforementioned expansion.
Thaakat understands that the quality of its events and market exposure has improved year over year,not only through attendee feedback but also with the increase in attendance to events. This can beobserved through an increase in ‘General Donations’ by 12%, from $13,180 in FY 2010 to $14,825 for FY2011 and an increase in ‘Local Fundraising Events’ by 9% from $18,500 for FY 2010 to $20,115 for FY2011.
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UniversityChapter
FundraisingEvents
Sponsors andGrants
LocalFundraising
Events
Thaakat Foundation Growth in 2011 (%)
% Growth
Specifically, ‘Sponsors and Grants’, which accounted for 13% of total donations in FY 2011, experiencedthe most significant growth of approximately 116% from the prior year. This was followed by 109%growth from ‘University Chapters Fundraising Events’, which accounted for 15% of total donations forthe year.
Looking forward, Thaakat anticipates an increase in donation contribution from both categories as itcontinues to focus on expansion of its chapters on a national level and generating sponsors and grantsthrough its current platform and the aforementioned expansion.
Thaakat understands that the quality of its events and market exposure has improved year over year,not only through attendee feedback but also with the increase in attendance to events. This can beobserved through an increase in ‘General Donations’ by 12%, from $13,180 in FY 2010 to $14,825 for FY2011 and an increase in ‘Local Fundraising Events’ by 9% from $18,500 for FY 2010 to $20,115 for FY2011.
9
Thaakat Foundation Growth in 2011 (%)
% Growth
Specifically, ‘Sponsors and Grants’, which accounted for 13% of total donations in FY 2011, experiencedthe most significant growth of approximately 116% from the prior year. This was followed by 109%growth from ‘University Chapters Fundraising Events’, which accounted for 15% of total donations forthe year.
Looking forward, Thaakat anticipates an increase in donation contribution from both categories as itcontinues to focus on expansion of its chapters on a national level and generating sponsors and grantsthrough its current platform and the aforementioned expansion.
Thaakat understands that the quality of its events and market exposure has improved year over year,not only through attendee feedback but also with the increase in attendance to events. This can beobserved through an increase in ‘General Donations’ by 12%, from $13,180 in FY 2010 to $14,825 for FY2011 and an increase in ‘Local Fundraising Events’ by 9% from $18,500 for FY 2010 to $20,115 for FY2011.
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Our local division is focused on promotion, awareness, and volunteerism in our localcommunities. Thaakat Foundation leads a series of community-based volunteer activitiesthroughout the year nationwide.
2011 ushered in a new era of volunteerism.
Our ever expanding Thaakat family spread our reach of service across six states.
Through a philosophy rooted in cooperation and a collective goal,
our teams led countless initiatives throughout the year,
Local Division
reminding us all that in order to bring about change…
all we need is a little motivation.
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Volunteering
Building Friendships
Social Activism
Fun Events
Encouraging Discourse
Providing Hope
Creating Memories
Giving Back
Fundraising
Sharing a Smile
Disaster Relief
Uniting CommunitiesTeam Efforts
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Volunteering
Building Friendships
Social Activism
Fun Events
Encouraging Discourse
Providing Hope
Creating Memories
Giving Back
Fundraising
Sharing a Smile
Disaster Relief
Uniting CommunitiesTeam Efforts
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Volunteering
Building Friendships
Social Activism
Fun Events
Encouraging Discourse
Providing Hope
Creating Memories
Giving Back
Fundraising
Sharing a Smile
Disaster Relief
Uniting CommunitiesTeam Efforts
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02-2011: Will You Marrow Me | Hamdard Center (Addison, IL)Urging our community to take part in a bone marrow driveeffort, we partnered with Hamdard Center Chicago, College ofDuPage Muslim Student Association, University of IllinoisPakistani Student Association, and several other organizationsacross the Chicago-land area in hopes of fulfilling dreams forsomeone in need. We were inspired by the action taken byyoung South Asians who have taken it upon themselves toarrange bone marrow drives across the country for those inneed of a transplant. Due to under representation of SouthAsians in the match registry, many ill children and adultswaiting to find their match are left in a terminal state withouthope.
04-2011: Swab for Hope | Chicago and New York Tri-StateFeeling that one registration drive was not enough to impactthe under representation of South Asians on the ‘Be the Match’Marrow Registry, we set out to organize our own nationalregistration effort. The unfortunate situation is that most of thepatients hoping for a response don’t make it. Partnering withfive schools in the Chicago metro and New York tri state area,our teams added nearly 200 individuals to the registry andeducated countless others about this dire need.
05-2011: Rebuild Joplin Initiative & Relief Drive | Chicago, ILIn the wake of the disaster that pummeled the welcoming townof Joplin, Missouri we realized we needed to rise to action.Mobilizing our team in the Chicago-land area, we collectedrelief supplies including clothing, toilet paper, shoes, soap, andbottled water- all on an incredible two day timeline, deliveringit right into the heart of the devastation. Coupled with this wealso supported our “Rebuild Joplin” initiative by donating$3,000 to the Ozarks Food Harvest in Southern Missouri.
A Year of Giving Back
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02-2011: Will You Marrow Me | Hamdard Center (Addison, IL)Urging our community to take part in a bone marrow driveeffort, we partnered with Hamdard Center Chicago, College ofDuPage Muslim Student Association, University of IllinoisPakistani Student Association, and several other organizationsacross the Chicago-land area in hopes of fulfilling dreams forsomeone in need. We were inspired by the action taken byyoung South Asians who have taken it upon themselves toarrange bone marrow drives across the country for those inneed of a transplant. Due to under representation of SouthAsians in the match registry, many ill children and adultswaiting to find their match are left in a terminal state withouthope.
04-2011: Swab for Hope | Chicago and New York Tri-StateFeeling that one registration drive was not enough to impactthe under representation of South Asians on the ‘Be the Match’Marrow Registry, we set out to organize our own nationalregistration effort. The unfortunate situation is that most of thepatients hoping for a response don’t make it. Partnering withfive schools in the Chicago metro and New York tri state area,our teams added nearly 200 individuals to the registry andeducated countless others about this dire need.
05-2011: Rebuild Joplin Initiative & Relief Drive | Chicago, ILIn the wake of the disaster that pummeled the welcoming townof Joplin, Missouri we realized we needed to rise to action.Mobilizing our team in the Chicago-land area, we collectedrelief supplies including clothing, toilet paper, shoes, soap, andbottled water- all on an incredible two day timeline, deliveringit right into the heart of the devastation. Coupled with this wealso supported our “Rebuild Joplin” initiative by donating$3,000 to the Ozarks Food Harvest in Southern Missouri.
A Year of Giving Back
12
02-2011: Will You Marrow Me | Hamdard Center (Addison, IL)Urging our community to take part in a bone marrow driveeffort, we partnered with Hamdard Center Chicago, College ofDuPage Muslim Student Association, University of IllinoisPakistani Student Association, and several other organizationsacross the Chicago-land area in hopes of fulfilling dreams forsomeone in need. We were inspired by the action taken byyoung South Asians who have taken it upon themselves toarrange bone marrow drives across the country for those inneed of a transplant. Due to under representation of SouthAsians in the match registry, many ill children and adultswaiting to find their match are left in a terminal state withouthope.
04-2011: Swab for Hope | Chicago and New York Tri-StateFeeling that one registration drive was not enough to impactthe under representation of South Asians on the ‘Be the Match’Marrow Registry, we set out to organize our own nationalregistration effort. The unfortunate situation is that most of thepatients hoping for a response don’t make it. Partnering withfive schools in the Chicago metro and New York tri state area,our teams added nearly 200 individuals to the registry andeducated countless others about this dire need.
05-2011: Rebuild Joplin Initiative & Relief Drive | Chicago, ILIn the wake of the disaster that pummeled the welcoming townof Joplin, Missouri we realized we needed to rise to action.Mobilizing our team in the Chicago-land area, we collectedrelief supplies including clothing, toilet paper, shoes, soap, andbottled water- all on an incredible two day timeline, deliveringit right into the heart of the devastation. Coupled with this wealso supported our “Rebuild Joplin” initiative by donating$3,000 to the Ozarks Food Harvest in Southern Missouri.
A Year of Giving Back
13
Thaakat Foundation was fortunate enoughto have the opportunity to talk withDenise Gibson, Director of Developmentand Communications at Ozarks Food Harvest (OFH). In response to the tornado devastation in Joplin,Missouri in May 2011, Ozarks Food Harvest has secured many truckloads of food items and supplies thatcontinue to be delivered to the affected areas. Founded in 1983, OFH is the only food bank in southwestMissouri, serving more than 300 nonprofit hunger relief organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. Belowwe’ve shared Denise’s perspective of the emergency area at the time the tornado hit:
“As soon as the tornado hit we started making calls, we wantedto call on the safety of those who were in Joplin, Missouri. Wecouldn’t get through and we couldn’t get our trucks on the roadbecause the search and rescue teams had closed everything off.About 7,000 homes were destroyed and other shelters andinstitutions in the area were in shambles. The amount ofdevastation it caused was truly a surreal picture unless youwere there to live it and see it.
In the first four weeks, we sent 44 truckloads of food, about 1million dollars in food and supplies to different points of distribution. We had one woman who had beenliving in a tent with her children in the backyard. Instead of having to travel day in and day out to achurch where they might be able to eat, she was able to get to one of our nearby distribution centers sothat she could take food back to her tent and could have family dinners. We were able to provide herwith the only feeling of normalcy she had at that point.
Hospital windows were blown out, the tornado shook huge concrete buildings off of their foundation, Ican remember the crisp image of baby pools flipped upside down on rooftops. They need machinery outthere to haul things away and bulldozers to help clean off the rocks and dirt that hold bad memories.There are so many great people helping and volunteering and for that the city of Joplin is thankful.”
Thaakat Foundation launched a local project during the fall season of 2011to help families in need within their very own local communities. It startedduring the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, as the team felt inspired tohelp families who were in need of food in the Chicago-land area. TheThaakat Food Basket included non-perishable items that can feed a familyof four to six people for up to one month. With a verified list of familiesthat are in need of food, the team assembled and hand delivered eachbasket to a home- a heartwarming experience indeed.
Food for Thought
An Insider’s Perspective on Joplin’sRecovery & Ozarks Food Harvest
Thaakat Food Baskets: Helping the Locals in Need!
100% of net proceeds from each basket sold wenttowards our Edesia Plumpy’nut campaign, helpingmalnourished victims in famine-struck Africa.13
Thaakat Foundation was fortunate enoughto have the opportunity to talk withDenise Gibson, Director of Developmentand Communications at Ozarks Food Harvest (OFH). In response to the tornado devastation in Joplin,Missouri in May 2011, Ozarks Food Harvest has secured many truckloads of food items and supplies thatcontinue to be delivered to the affected areas. Founded in 1983, OFH is the only food bank in southwestMissouri, serving more than 300 nonprofit hunger relief organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. Belowwe’ve shared Denise’s perspective of the emergency area at the time the tornado hit:
“As soon as the tornado hit we started making calls, we wantedto call on the safety of those who were in Joplin, Missouri. Wecouldn’t get through and we couldn’t get our trucks on the roadbecause the search and rescue teams had closed everything off.About 7,000 homes were destroyed and other shelters andinstitutions in the area were in shambles. The amount ofdevastation it caused was truly a surreal picture unless youwere there to live it and see it.
In the first four weeks, we sent 44 truckloads of food, about 1million dollars in food and supplies to different points of distribution. We had one woman who had beenliving in a tent with her children in the backyard. Instead of having to travel day in and day out to achurch where they might be able to eat, she was able to get to one of our nearby distribution centers sothat she could take food back to her tent and could have family dinners. We were able to provide herwith the only feeling of normalcy she had at that point.
Hospital windows were blown out, the tornado shook huge concrete buildings off of their foundation, Ican remember the crisp image of baby pools flipped upside down on rooftops. They need machinery outthere to haul things away and bulldozers to help clean off the rocks and dirt that hold bad memories.There are so many great people helping and volunteering and for that the city of Joplin is thankful.”
Thaakat Foundation launched a local project during the fall season of 2011to help families in need within their very own local communities. It startedduring the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, as the team felt inspired tohelp families who were in need of food in the Chicago-land area. TheThaakat Food Basket included non-perishable items that can feed a familyof four to six people for up to one month. With a verified list of familiesthat are in need of food, the team assembled and hand delivered eachbasket to a home- a heartwarming experience indeed.
Food for Thought
An Insider’s Perspective on Joplin’sRecovery & Ozarks Food Harvest
Thaakat Food Baskets: Helping the Locals in Need!
100% of net proceeds from each basket sold wenttowards our Edesia Plumpy’nut campaign, helpingmalnourished victims in famine-struck Africa.13
Thaakat Foundation was fortunate enoughto have the opportunity to talk withDenise Gibson, Director of Developmentand Communications at Ozarks Food Harvest (OFH). In response to the tornado devastation in Joplin,Missouri in May 2011, Ozarks Food Harvest has secured many truckloads of food items and supplies thatcontinue to be delivered to the affected areas. Founded in 1983, OFH is the only food bank in southwestMissouri, serving more than 300 nonprofit hunger relief organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. Belowwe’ve shared Denise’s perspective of the emergency area at the time the tornado hit:
“As soon as the tornado hit we started making calls, we wantedto call on the safety of those who were in Joplin, Missouri. Wecouldn’t get through and we couldn’t get our trucks on the roadbecause the search and rescue teams had closed everything off.About 7,000 homes were destroyed and other shelters andinstitutions in the area were in shambles. The amount ofdevastation it caused was truly a surreal picture unless youwere there to live it and see it.
In the first four weeks, we sent 44 truckloads of food, about 1million dollars in food and supplies to different points of distribution. We had one woman who had beenliving in a tent with her children in the backyard. Instead of having to travel day in and day out to achurch where they might be able to eat, she was able to get to one of our nearby distribution centers sothat she could take food back to her tent and could have family dinners. We were able to provide herwith the only feeling of normalcy she had at that point.
Hospital windows were blown out, the tornado shook huge concrete buildings off of their foundation, Ican remember the crisp image of baby pools flipped upside down on rooftops. They need machinery outthere to haul things away and bulldozers to help clean off the rocks and dirt that hold bad memories.There are so many great people helping and volunteering and for that the city of Joplin is thankful.”
Thaakat Foundation launched a local project during the fall season of 2011to help families in need within their very own local communities. It startedduring the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, as the team felt inspired tohelp families who were in need of food in the Chicago-land area. TheThaakat Food Basket included non-perishable items that can feed a familyof four to six people for up to one month. With a verified list of familiesthat are in need of food, the team assembled and hand delivered eachbasket to a home- a heartwarming experience indeed.
Food for Thought
An Insider’s Perspective on Joplin’sRecovery & Ozarks Food Harvest
Thaakat Food Baskets: Helping the Locals in Need!
100% of net proceeds from each basket sold wenttowards our Edesia Plumpy’nut campaign, helpingmalnourished victims in famine-struck Africa.
14
08 & 09/2011: Thaakat Food Baskets | Chicago, ILInitiated to help struggling families in our local communitiesduring the month of Ramadan, our teams set out to supplythem with a basketful with non-perishable food and otheruseful household supplies to last throughout the month.Nearly two dozen families have been assisted to date in aninitiative we hope to continue every year.
11/2011: Swab Mob Fall 2011 | NationwideRenaming our spring marrow registration campaign, we setout to make this round bigger and better. Teaming up withnine institutions and Thaakat chapters across four states,our teams registered nearly 300 more individuals in hopes offinding a match for entrepreneur Amit Gupta. The beautifulthing about this campaign was that in an effort to help Amit,we were potentially helping a sick baby, a dying mother, orsomeone else across the globe also truly in need of atransplant. The more minorities we have register for thedrive, the more chances that folks in need will be able tofind a match.
10/2011 Diwali | Cedar Oaks Rehab Center (Trenton, NJ)The College of New Jersey Thaakat Board took their serviceto the seniors at Cedar Oaks Rehab Center. Contributingtheir time and friendships, they held an afternoon completewith singing, dancing, antakshari (singing game), and a lot ofrenewed hope for these folks who thought they might bespending this special day alone.
11/2011: Gardening with NYAWC | NYAWC (New York, NY)Every year, the Rutgers Newark NJ Thaakat Board returns toNYAWC, the largest Pan-Asian domestic violence and humantrafficking agency in the country, to replenish the “PeaceGarden” they have adopted with the center. This garden notonly provides some color and beauty to the center butprovides the women with fresh vegetables, herbs and ahobby to take part in through their daily lives. NYAWCprovides a safe haven through multilingual supportprograms and shelter services, raising public awarenessabout violence against women, advocate for the rights ofsurvivors, and act as an agent of social change.
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08 & 09/2011: Thaakat Food Baskets | Chicago, ILInitiated to help struggling families in our local communitiesduring the month of Ramadan, our teams set out to supplythem with a basketful with non-perishable food and otheruseful household supplies to last throughout the month.Nearly two dozen families have been assisted to date in aninitiative we hope to continue every year.
11/2011: Swab Mob Fall 2011 | NationwideRenaming our spring marrow registration campaign, we setout to make this round bigger and better. Teaming up withnine institutions and Thaakat chapters across four states,our teams registered nearly 300 more individuals in hopes offinding a match for entrepreneur Amit Gupta. The beautifulthing about this campaign was that in an effort to help Amit,we were potentially helping a sick baby, a dying mother, orsomeone else across the globe also truly in need of atransplant. The more minorities we have register for thedrive, the more chances that folks in need will be able tofind a match.
10/2011 Diwali | Cedar Oaks Rehab Center (Trenton, NJ)The College of New Jersey Thaakat Board took their serviceto the seniors at Cedar Oaks Rehab Center. Contributingtheir time and friendships, they held an afternoon completewith singing, dancing, antakshari (singing game), and a lot ofrenewed hope for these folks who thought they might bespending this special day alone.
11/2011: Gardening with NYAWC | NYAWC (New York, NY)Every year, the Rutgers Newark NJ Thaakat Board returns toNYAWC, the largest Pan-Asian domestic violence and humantrafficking agency in the country, to replenish the “PeaceGarden” they have adopted with the center. This garden notonly provides some color and beauty to the center butprovides the women with fresh vegetables, herbs and ahobby to take part in through their daily lives. NYAWCprovides a safe haven through multilingual supportprograms and shelter services, raising public awarenessabout violence against women, advocate for the rights ofsurvivors, and act as an agent of social change.
14
08 & 09/2011: Thaakat Food Baskets | Chicago, ILInitiated to help struggling families in our local communitiesduring the month of Ramadan, our teams set out to supplythem with a basketful with non-perishable food and otheruseful household supplies to last throughout the month.Nearly two dozen families have been assisted to date in aninitiative we hope to continue every year.
11/2011: Swab Mob Fall 2011 | NationwideRenaming our spring marrow registration campaign, we setout to make this round bigger and better. Teaming up withnine institutions and Thaakat chapters across four states,our teams registered nearly 300 more individuals in hopes offinding a match for entrepreneur Amit Gupta. The beautifulthing about this campaign was that in an effort to help Amit,we were potentially helping a sick baby, a dying mother, orsomeone else across the globe also truly in need of atransplant. The more minorities we have register for thedrive, the more chances that folks in need will be able tofind a match.
10/2011 Diwali | Cedar Oaks Rehab Center (Trenton, NJ)The College of New Jersey Thaakat Board took their serviceto the seniors at Cedar Oaks Rehab Center. Contributingtheir time and friendships, they held an afternoon completewith singing, dancing, antakshari (singing game), and a lot ofrenewed hope for these folks who thought they might bespending this special day alone.
11/2011: Gardening with NYAWC | NYAWC (New York, NY)Every year, the Rutgers Newark NJ Thaakat Board returns toNYAWC, the largest Pan-Asian domestic violence and humantrafficking agency in the country, to replenish the “PeaceGarden” they have adopted with the center. This garden notonly provides some color and beauty to the center butprovides the women with fresh vegetables, herbs and ahobby to take part in through their daily lives. NYAWCprovides a safe haven through multilingual supportprograms and shelter services, raising public awarenessabout violence against women, advocate for the rights ofsurvivors, and act as an agent of social change.
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1 2/2011: Feed the Spirit | Hamdard Center (Chicago, IL)Upholding our annual Hamdard event tradition, nearly 25 membersof Thaakat organized an afternoon full of creativity, laughter,conversations, and good food. Our board and students from ourchapters at Benedictine University, Loyola University Chicago, UIC,NIU, and Northwestern came together for a holiday event to helpspread some cheer to the seniors at Hamdard Center. Doing fun artsand crafts activities, the team helped the seniors make snowflakesand decorated cut outs of traced hands. The young membersengaged in conversation with the seniors, learning about their livesas they recalled their favorite memories from childhood. To keep theholidays in spirit, we also gathered around to do some good oldcaroling and sang famous holiday songs as the seniors and Hamdardstaff happily joined in.
12/2011: Christmas Day with Seniors | Brighton Gardens AssistedLiving (Edison, NJ)Our Jersey teams visited Brighton Gardens Assisted Living duringChristmas. Although many of our volunteers had a busy schedulewith their school semesters coming to an end, they still managed tocome together and volunteer. Visiting on Christmas day, many of theseniors were without any family to celebrate with. The seniors werekept smiling throughout the activities including bingo, heartwarmingconversations, and holiday caroling. The teams emphasized the ideathat just simply conversing with someone, especially elders can makethem feel appreciated.
07/2011 and 11/2011: Hoops for Hunger & Thaakat Hoopfest | OakBrook, IL & New Jersey, NJThis year we held our 2nd annual charity basketball tournament inChicago and we also held our first ever tournament in New Jersey.While we brought together 16 teams competing to be crownedchampion, this event brought together dozens of volunteers. Ourtournaments supported our “Rebuild Joplin” initiative and “Fight forFamine” campaign with Plumpy’nut for Somalia. More than 50volunteers and dozens of sponsors came together to make these areality.
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1 2/2011: Feed the Spirit | Hamdard Center (Chicago, IL)Upholding our annual Hamdard event tradition, nearly 25 membersof Thaakat organized an afternoon full of creativity, laughter,conversations, and good food. Our board and students from ourchapters at Benedictine University, Loyola University Chicago, UIC,NIU, and Northwestern came together for a holiday event to helpspread some cheer to the seniors at Hamdard Center. Doing fun artsand crafts activities, the team helped the seniors make snowflakesand decorated cut outs of traced hands. The young membersengaged in conversation with the seniors, learning about their livesas they recalled their favorite memories from childhood. To keep theholidays in spirit, we also gathered around to do some good oldcaroling and sang famous holiday songs as the seniors and Hamdardstaff happily joined in.
12/2011: Christmas Day with Seniors | Brighton Gardens AssistedLiving (Edison, NJ)Our Jersey teams visited Brighton Gardens Assisted Living duringChristmas. Although many of our volunteers had a busy schedulewith their school semesters coming to an end, they still managed tocome together and volunteer. Visiting on Christmas day, many of theseniors were without any family to celebrate with. The seniors werekept smiling throughout the activities including bingo, heartwarmingconversations, and holiday caroling. The teams emphasized the ideathat just simply conversing with someone, especially elders can makethem feel appreciated.
07/2011 and 11/2011: Hoops for Hunger & Thaakat Hoopfest | OakBrook, IL & New Jersey, NJThis year we held our 2nd annual charity basketball tournament inChicago and we also held our first ever tournament in New Jersey.While we brought together 16 teams competing to be crownedchampion, this event brought together dozens of volunteers. Ourtournaments supported our “Rebuild Joplin” initiative and “Fight forFamine” campaign with Plumpy’nut for Somalia. More than 50volunteers and dozens of sponsors came together to make these areality.
15
1 2/2011: Feed the Spirit | Hamdard Center (Chicago, IL)Upholding our annual Hamdard event tradition, nearly 25 membersof Thaakat organized an afternoon full of creativity, laughter,conversations, and good food. Our board and students from ourchapters at Benedictine University, Loyola University Chicago, UIC,NIU, and Northwestern came together for a holiday event to helpspread some cheer to the seniors at Hamdard Center. Doing fun artsand crafts activities, the team helped the seniors make snowflakesand decorated cut outs of traced hands. The young membersengaged in conversation with the seniors, learning about their livesas they recalled their favorite memories from childhood. To keep theholidays in spirit, we also gathered around to do some good oldcaroling and sang famous holiday songs as the seniors and Hamdardstaff happily joined in.
12/2011: Christmas Day with Seniors | Brighton Gardens AssistedLiving (Edison, NJ)Our Jersey teams visited Brighton Gardens Assisted Living duringChristmas. Although many of our volunteers had a busy schedulewith their school semesters coming to an end, they still managed tocome together and volunteer. Visiting on Christmas day, many of theseniors were without any family to celebrate with. The seniors werekept smiling throughout the activities including bingo, heartwarmingconversations, and holiday caroling. The teams emphasized the ideathat just simply conversing with someone, especially elders can makethem feel appreciated.
07/2011 and 11/2011: Hoops for Hunger & Thaakat Hoopfest | OakBrook, IL & New Jersey, NJThis year we held our 2nd annual charity basketball tournament inChicago and we also held our first ever tournament in New Jersey.While we brought together 16 teams competing to be crownedchampion, this event brought together dozens of volunteers. Ourtournaments supported our “Rebuild Joplin” initiative and “Fight forFamine” campaign with Plumpy’nut for Somalia. More than 50volunteers and dozens of sponsors came together to make these areality.
16
The initiative was launched by our Swab Mob Captain, Omar Salim, to try to get more minoritiesregistered on the National Bone Marrow Registry, raising awareness for a dire issue in our communities.
Entrepreneur Amit Gupta should not be known for being diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. While thebattles waged by patients like him suffering from debilitating diseases including cancer are inspiringenough, Amit’s story is different. His need for a marrow transplant ignited an international movement ofadding South-Asians to the ‘Be the Match Registry’.
In terms of finding a match, patients are more likely to find a match in their own ethnic community.Here’s the thing, South Asians are one of the most underrepresented groups on the registry. Just becauseAmit is South-Asian, his chances of finding a match sank. How horrible is that? It’s that exact reason thatwe need to invest time in educating our communities about the need to get registered.
Understanding this dire need, Thaakat Foundation responded. Inspired by the work of Amit Gupta’steam, we began our own national registration campaign- the Swab Mob. In conjunction with severaluniversities across the country, our teams passionately reached out to their communities, hoping tocorrect misconceptions about the program and inspire others to enlist.
Thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of our student leaders we have registered nearly almost sevenhundred individuals who are committed to making a difference for a stranger in need.
Join this life saving mission at http://join.marrow.org/thaakat.
In 2011, we launched a major partnership with “Be The Match®”- The National BoneMarrow Registry. Not only did we feel for those who patiently waited for a match, but wewere hit hard with the realization that the chances of a South Asian patient finding amatch are 20,000 to 1.
The Swab Mob
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Initiative Helps Find Bone Marrow Match
In spring of 2011, The Pakistani Student Association (PSA) at DePaul University and helda bone marrow registration drive in partnership with Thaakat Foundation.
The result? A potential match was found for a recipient!
Below is an interview with Aarish Mustafa (pictured left), President of PSA at DePaulUniversity, who organized the registration drive during his junior year.
Why did your team organize the drive back in the spring?We wanted to be a part of this great cause. It is something you can make a huge impact with in verylittle time, and we were able to put it together within a couple of days. To be honest, it was our firsttime organizing a drive like this. The location was secluded, and we did not nearly have the traffic wewanted but we stuck with it, and now we may be able to give someone a second chance at life.
What's it like knowing that the hard work and effort of your team has potentially saved the life ofanother?There is no better feeling than knowing that we have potentially saved a life. I can't imagine thepatient's level of excitement when they find out they have matched with someone. I hope everyonegets to experience how I felt today.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about holding a drive?Thaakat and Be The Match Foundation made the process very simple for us. The flyers were emailed tous and members of both the organizations made themselves available throughout. PSA membersworked together in 1-2 hours shifts, and it was enjoyable for everyone. You'd be surprised what animpact reserving a room, and putting up some flyers can make. It’s easy sailing once that first step istaken.
Anything else that you would like to share?We want to thank Thaakat and Be the Match Foundations for giving us the opportunity to be a part ofthis noble cause. We wish the patient the best of health and a quick recovery! I hope this littlecontribution of our team will inspire others and ultimately save more lives. Signing up on the registrytakes no more than 2 minutes. When you sign up, you are on the registry until your 61st birthday. Signingup doesn’t mean that you will be the match for someone; you may get a call the very next month, 10years later, or even never. You just have to understand the commitment involved. The great part is thatshould you be a match, the procedure has been simplified to offer a few different options, one of thembeing a donation system that requires just a few hours from you and no surgery.
Since launching the Swab Mob, Thaakat Foundation andsupporting school organizations have registered almost
700 people on the National Bone Marrow Registry!
Why Marrow?
An inspirational story of a journey to a golden match…
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Thaakat Foundation Chapters
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2011 started off with Thaakat chapters only being in a few parts of the country. We started with Rutgerschapters in New Jersey and expanded through the South and Midwest.
During the summer of 2011 we were able to expand our chapter-ship where we now have 15 officiallyregistered chapters throughout the country! Thaakat chapters can be found from New York to Chicagoto Atlanta and all the way down to Texas!
We are proud to see these college students develop into the leaders of tomorrow. Seeing these studentstaking initiatives, setting high goals and going for them head-first is very inspiring.
Let’s hear about what inspires some of our chapter leaders:
“Starting a chapter of Thaakat in South Florida meant broadening thehorizons of goodness to the youth of South Florida. It's a great cause thatreaches out to so many corners in this world, and I felt as if Florida had a lotto offer and be a part in Thaakat’s journey of changing the world for thebetter.”-Muneera Imam, Founding President, Thaakat: South Florida
“I wanted to start a chapter of Thaakat to create something for studentswhere they can help out the community and have somewhere fun to meetpeople and socialize. To me Thaakat means a great way to give and make adifference.”-Maha Ali Khan, Founding President, Thaakat: University of Houston
“I wanted to do something in life where I could help people in need andThaakat is the perfect organization for helping others. I realized that all thelittle things we do together can create big differences in people’s livesacross the world. It changed my heart and I started my own chapterin Atlanta to be a part of the Thaakat team and have fun while helping outa good cause! Definitely the best decision of my life!”-Ayesha Lodhia, Founding President, Thaakat: Oglethorpe University
19
2011 started off with Thaakat chapters only being in a few parts of the country. We started with Rutgerschapters in New Jersey and expanded through the South and Midwest.
During the summer of 2011 we were able to expand our chapter-ship where we now have 15 officiallyregistered chapters throughout the country! Thaakat chapters can be found from New York to Chicagoto Atlanta and all the way down to Texas!
We are proud to see these college students develop into the leaders of tomorrow. Seeing these studentstaking initiatives, setting high goals and going for them head-first is very inspiring.
Let’s hear about what inspires some of our chapter leaders:
“Starting a chapter of Thaakat in South Florida meant broadening thehorizons of goodness to the youth of South Florida. It's a great cause thatreaches out to so many corners in this world, and I felt as if Florida had a lotto offer and be a part in Thaakat’s journey of changing the world for thebetter.”-Muneera Imam, Founding President, Thaakat: South Florida
“I wanted to start a chapter of Thaakat to create something for studentswhere they can help out the community and have somewhere fun to meetpeople and socialize. To me Thaakat means a great way to give and make adifference.”-Maha Ali Khan, Founding President, Thaakat: University of Houston
“I wanted to do something in life where I could help people in need andThaakat is the perfect organization for helping others. I realized that all thelittle things we do together can create big differences in people’s livesacross the world. It changed my heart and I started my own chapterin Atlanta to be a part of the Thaakat team and have fun while helping outa good cause! Definitely the best decision of my life!”-Ayesha Lodhia, Founding President, Thaakat: Oglethorpe University
19
2011 started off with Thaakat chapters only being in a few parts of the country. We started with Rutgerschapters in New Jersey and expanded through the South and Midwest.
During the summer of 2011 we were able to expand our chapter-ship where we now have 15 officiallyregistered chapters throughout the country! Thaakat chapters can be found from New York to Chicagoto Atlanta and all the way down to Texas!
We are proud to see these college students develop into the leaders of tomorrow. Seeing these studentstaking initiatives, setting high goals and going for them head-first is very inspiring.
Let’s hear about what inspires some of our chapter leaders:
“Starting a chapter of Thaakat in South Florida meant broadening thehorizons of goodness to the youth of South Florida. It's a great cause thatreaches out to so many corners in this world, and I felt as if Florida had a lotto offer and be a part in Thaakat’s journey of changing the world for thebetter.”-Muneera Imam, Founding President, Thaakat: South Florida
“I wanted to start a chapter of Thaakat to create something for studentswhere they can help out the community and have somewhere fun to meetpeople and socialize. To me Thaakat means a great way to give and make adifference.”-Maha Ali Khan, Founding President, Thaakat: University of Houston
“I wanted to do something in life where I could help people in need andThaakat is the perfect organization for helping others. I realized that all thelittle things we do together can create big differences in people’s livesacross the world. It changed my heart and I started my own chapterin Atlanta to be a part of the Thaakat team and have fun while helping outa good cause! Definitely the best decision of my life!”-Ayesha Lodhia, Founding President, Thaakat: Oglethorpe University
20
Global Division
Our global division addresses issues of environmental sustainability, communitydevelopment, and education in South Asia and Africa. With projects in South Asia, EastAfrica and Sierra Leone, your support travels a long way in helping alleviate global poverty.
2011 was a year of global expansion.
Launching new projects for the first time in Africa...
Sending relief aid to Japan for tsunami victims…
Revisiting Pakistan to provide flood relief and to launch a new initiative…
All while restoring hope to those across the globe
whose dreams of a new beginning
can finally begin coming true.
21
Fostering Partnerships New Projects
Developing Communities
Providing Hope
Making a Difference
Helping Others
Giving Strength
Disaster Response
Encouraging Dreams
Sharing Smiles
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Fostering Partnerships New Projects
Developing Communities
Providing Hope
Making a Difference
Helping Others
Giving Strength
Disaster Response
Encouraging Dreams
Sharing Smiles
21
Fostering Partnerships New Projects
Developing Communities
Providing Hope
Making a Difference
Helping Others
Giving Strength
Disaster Response
Encouraging Dreams
Sharing Smiles
22
A country symbolizing innovation and power was struck witha wind ripping tsunami in March of 2011, which brought lifethreatening radiation to many. Thaakat Foundationimmediately launched the “Hope for Japan” campaign tohelp those affected.
Thaakat raised $3,000 for Red Cross Japan to help providerelief from the devastation.
Hope for Japan
Pakistan Flood Relief
In 2010, Thaakat launched its PakistanFlood Relief efforts immediatelyfollowing the devastating floods thatravaged throughout the nation. In2011, slow recovery and heavy rainstorms brought on more floods,increased number of deaths,countless misplaced families andhomes, and millions more desperatefor help.
Two relief missions were conducted in2011. Syed Sana Ullah coordinated avolunteer team in Pakistan withShahzad Elahi and Rao Asif Ali as theybravely journeyed out to dangerouslyflooded regions, helping providehands-on relief to countless familiesin need.
See video footage of the team distributing food aid in Pakistan22
A country symbolizing innovation and power was struck witha wind ripping tsunami in March of 2011, which brought lifethreatening radiation to many. Thaakat Foundationimmediately launched the “Hope for Japan” campaign tohelp those affected.
Thaakat raised $3,000 for Red Cross Japan to help providerelief from the devastation.
Hope for Japan
Pakistan Flood Relief
In 2010, Thaakat launched its PakistanFlood Relief efforts immediatelyfollowing the devastating floods thatravaged throughout the nation. In2011, slow recovery and heavy rainstorms brought on more floods,increased number of deaths,countless misplaced families andhomes, and millions more desperatefor help.
Two relief missions were conducted in2011. Syed Sana Ullah coordinated avolunteer team in Pakistan withShahzad Elahi and Rao Asif Ali as theybravely journeyed out to dangerouslyflooded regions, helping providehands-on relief to countless familiesin need.
See video footage of the team distributing food aid in Pakistan22
A country symbolizing innovation and power was struck witha wind ripping tsunami in March of 2011, which brought lifethreatening radiation to many. Thaakat Foundationimmediately launched the “Hope for Japan” campaign tohelp those affected.
Thaakat raised $3,000 for Red Cross Japan to help providerelief from the devastation.
Hope for Japan
Pakistan Flood Relief
In 2010, Thaakat launched its PakistanFlood Relief efforts immediatelyfollowing the devastating floods thatravaged throughout the nation. In2011, slow recovery and heavy rainstorms brought on more floods,increased number of deaths,countless misplaced families andhomes, and millions more desperatefor help.
Two relief missions were conducted in2011. Syed Sana Ullah coordinated avolunteer team in Pakistan withShahzad Elahi and Rao Asif Ali as theybravely journeyed out to dangerouslyflooded regions, helping providehands-on relief to countless familiesin need.
See video footage of the team distributing food aid in Pakistan
23
Pakistan Flood ReliefFall Distribution: $3,000
With the help and support of the mayor of the city, Thaakat’s globalvolunteers in Pakistan coordinated a relief mission to the Badinregion of Sindh (located about 100 miles east of Karachi) in October.Hundreds of families were given food packages and bottles of mineralwater for immediate relief. Our mighty team of volunteers recalled itbeing an incredible experience to provide relief to these people whohave truly lost everything.
Distributed 700+ bottles of mineral water.
Distributed 164 food packages.
Each food package contained: Flour Oil Sugar Lentils (Moong & Chana Daal) Tea packets Red chilli Salt packets Bath soap Dish washing soap
Pakistan Flood ReliefSpring Distribution: $3,000
As on-site requirements of flood victims were analyzed, it was certainthat a dire need was for a roof, literally, over one’s head that couldprovide for a safe and sturdy place for shelter.
A relief mission to flooded areas in the Sindh region was conducted inthe spring. Hundreds of bamboo mats were bought to help put upinstant roofs and walls for each family, who were previously livingunder a home supported by sticks, cloth, and broken plastic. Thebamboo mats provided privacy between the hundreds of familiesliving in such close proximity of one another, along with a quick andstable place to call home as the summer’s extreme heat waveapproached.
“Thaakat Foundation helped so many people whose lives weredestroyed by the floods. All the villagers have been so grateful andincredibly happy to have received so much aid. It was so humbling tobe able to provide basic necessities for these people and witnessingwhat their needs are first-hand. Being a part of these missions was atruly unforgettable experience, which we will never forget.”
-Syed Sana Ullah, Global Volunteer Leader
23
Pakistan Flood ReliefFall Distribution: $3,000
With the help and support of the mayor of the city, Thaakat’s globalvolunteers in Pakistan coordinated a relief mission to the Badinregion of Sindh (located about 100 miles east of Karachi) in October.Hundreds of families were given food packages and bottles of mineralwater for immediate relief. Our mighty team of volunteers recalled itbeing an incredible experience to provide relief to these people whohave truly lost everything.
Distributed 700+ bottles of mineral water.
Distributed 164 food packages.
Each food package contained: Flour Oil Sugar Lentils (Moong & Chana Daal) Tea packets Red chilli Salt packets Bath soap Dish washing soap
Pakistan Flood ReliefSpring Distribution: $3,000
As on-site requirements of flood victims were analyzed, it was certainthat a dire need was for a roof, literally, over one’s head that couldprovide for a safe and sturdy place for shelter.
A relief mission to flooded areas in the Sindh region was conducted inthe spring. Hundreds of bamboo mats were bought to help put upinstant roofs and walls for each family, who were previously livingunder a home supported by sticks, cloth, and broken plastic. Thebamboo mats provided privacy between the hundreds of familiesliving in such close proximity of one another, along with a quick andstable place to call home as the summer’s extreme heat waveapproached.
“Thaakat Foundation helped so many people whose lives weredestroyed by the floods. All the villagers have been so grateful andincredibly happy to have received so much aid. It was so humbling tobe able to provide basic necessities for these people and witnessingwhat their needs are first-hand. Being a part of these missions was atruly unforgettable experience, which we will never forget.”
-Syed Sana Ullah, Global Volunteer Leader
23
Pakistan Flood ReliefFall Distribution: $3,000
With the help and support of the mayor of the city, Thaakat’s globalvolunteers in Pakistan coordinated a relief mission to the Badinregion of Sindh (located about 100 miles east of Karachi) in October.Hundreds of families were given food packages and bottles of mineralwater for immediate relief. Our mighty team of volunteers recalled itbeing an incredible experience to provide relief to these people whohave truly lost everything.
Distributed 700+ bottles of mineral water.
Distributed 164 food packages.
Each food package contained: Flour Oil Sugar Lentils (Moong & Chana Daal) Tea packets Red chilli Salt packets Bath soap Dish washing soap
Pakistan Flood ReliefSpring Distribution: $3,000
As on-site requirements of flood victims were analyzed, it was certainthat a dire need was for a roof, literally, over one’s head that couldprovide for a safe and sturdy place for shelter.
A relief mission to flooded areas in the Sindh region was conducted inthe spring. Hundreds of bamboo mats were bought to help put upinstant roofs and walls for each family, who were previously livingunder a home supported by sticks, cloth, and broken plastic. Thebamboo mats provided privacy between the hundreds of familiesliving in such close proximity of one another, along with a quick andstable place to call home as the summer’s extreme heat waveapproached.
“Thaakat Foundation helped so many people whose lives weredestroyed by the floods. All the villagers have been so grateful andincredibly happy to have received so much aid. It was so humbling tobe able to provide basic necessities for these people and witnessingwhat their needs are first-hand. Being a part of these missions was atruly unforgettable experience, which we will never forget.”
-Syed Sana Ullah, Global Volunteer Leader
24
Early in 2011, we helped build five child-rescuecenters in the village of Blama Perri, Sierra Leone.These centers have been housing 100 residents intotal, keeping them safe from terminal disease, rainand cold.
Thaakat Foundation launched a partnership with theTrinity United Methodist Church (TUMC) in New Yorkto help Abdulai Swaray , a young hopeful we metfrom the village of Blama Perri, to build five childrescue centers for single parent families (women andchildren). The average residency in each center is 20people.
Sierra Leone is a country rich in natural resources,yet faces grave issues of malnutrition, poverty, and acountry with one of the highest child mortality ratesin the world. Child soldiers have set the standard forthe most brutal type of modern warfare in Africa.Unfortunately, people don’t often hear of thestruggles that are faced by the country’s people.
Thaakat and TUMC worked to provide funding forthese five child rescue centers and the effort was acollaborative one amongst villagers as they served asthe laborers.
Thaakat raised $3,000 for this project.
Raise the Roofs for Africa
24
Early in 2011, we helped build five child-rescuecenters in the village of Blama Perri, Sierra Leone.These centers have been housing 100 residents intotal, keeping them safe from terminal disease, rainand cold.
Thaakat Foundation launched a partnership with theTrinity United Methodist Church (TUMC) in New Yorkto help Abdulai Swaray , a young hopeful we metfrom the village of Blama Perri, to build five childrescue centers for single parent families (women andchildren). The average residency in each center is 20people.
Sierra Leone is a country rich in natural resources,yet faces grave issues of malnutrition, poverty, and acountry with one of the highest child mortality ratesin the world. Child soldiers have set the standard forthe most brutal type of modern warfare in Africa.Unfortunately, people don’t often hear of thestruggles that are faced by the country’s people.
Thaakat and TUMC worked to provide funding forthese five child rescue centers and the effort was acollaborative one amongst villagers as they served asthe laborers.
Thaakat raised $3,000 for this project.
Raise the Roofs for Africa
24
Early in 2011, we helped build five child-rescuecenters in the village of Blama Perri, Sierra Leone.These centers have been housing 100 residents intotal, keeping them safe from terminal disease, rainand cold.
Thaakat Foundation launched a partnership with theTrinity United Methodist Church (TUMC) in New Yorkto help Abdulai Swaray , a young hopeful we metfrom the village of Blama Perri, to build five childrescue centers for single parent families (women andchildren). The average residency in each center is 20people.
Sierra Leone is a country rich in natural resources,yet faces grave issues of malnutrition, poverty, and acountry with one of the highest child mortality ratesin the world. Child soldiers have set the standard forthe most brutal type of modern warfare in Africa.Unfortunately, people don’t often hear of thestruggles that are faced by the country’s people.
Thaakat and TUMC worked to provide funding forthese five child rescue centers and the effort was acollaborative one amongst villagers as they served asthe laborers.
Thaakat raised $3,000 for this project.
Raise the Roofs for Africa
25
Project Re-Born Africa
We returned to village of the Blama Perri in Sierra Leoneafter the residents showed great need for a proper birthingcenter, the lack of which has caused babies to be born undermalnourished conditions with severe infections, whilemothers must rest on rugged dirt floors.
We hope to support the tiniest of guests by helping build amaternity center in the remote village of Blama Perri inSierra Leone. This village is mainly inhabited by widows andchildren, ravaged by 11 years of civil war in the country. Thenearest hospital, which is three miles away, is reachable onlyby motorcycle due to terrible inroads. Even under thesecircumstances, a woman who is nine months pregnantcannot travel on the back of a motorcycle.
The maternity center will serve 1,000 people in Blama Perriand surrounding communities, ensuring that mothers andbabies have appropriate medical care and hygiene duringtheir most vulnerable times. Blama Perri has secured staffwith state certified midwifery degrees.
Thaakat raised $5,000 for this project.
“In the history of the village, there has never been a hygienicor safe place to comfort and care for women and their newbabies. At the time when the woman is ready for labor theonly option has been to wait days for emergency medicalhelp or for a nine month pregnant woman to ride on theback of a bike to the hospital. Sierra Leone has one of thehighest child-mortality rates in the world and we know thatthis center will bring new meaning to 1,000 women, childrenand residents who will in available distance of this maternitycenter.”
- Alan Chorun, US Project Support Manager
25
Project Re-Born Africa
We returned to village of the Blama Perri in Sierra Leoneafter the residents showed great need for a proper birthingcenter, the lack of which has caused babies to be born undermalnourished conditions with severe infections, whilemothers must rest on rugged dirt floors.
We hope to support the tiniest of guests by helping build amaternity center in the remote village of Blama Perri inSierra Leone. This village is mainly inhabited by widows andchildren, ravaged by 11 years of civil war in the country. Thenearest hospital, which is three miles away, is reachable onlyby motorcycle due to terrible inroads. Even under thesecircumstances, a woman who is nine months pregnantcannot travel on the back of a motorcycle.
The maternity center will serve 1,000 people in Blama Perriand surrounding communities, ensuring that mothers andbabies have appropriate medical care and hygiene duringtheir most vulnerable times. Blama Perri has secured staffwith state certified midwifery degrees.
Thaakat raised $5,000 for this project.
“In the history of the village, there has never been a hygienicor safe place to comfort and care for women and their newbabies. At the time when the woman is ready for labor theonly option has been to wait days for emergency medicalhelp or for a nine month pregnant woman to ride on theback of a bike to the hospital. Sierra Leone has one of thehighest child-mortality rates in the world and we know thatthis center will bring new meaning to 1,000 women, childrenand residents who will in available distance of this maternitycenter.”
- Alan Chorun, US Project Support Manager
25
Project Re-Born Africa
We returned to village of the Blama Perri in Sierra Leoneafter the residents showed great need for a proper birthingcenter, the lack of which has caused babies to be born undermalnourished conditions with severe infections, whilemothers must rest on rugged dirt floors.
We hope to support the tiniest of guests by helping build amaternity center in the remote village of Blama Perri inSierra Leone. This village is mainly inhabited by widows andchildren, ravaged by 11 years of civil war in the country. Thenearest hospital, which is three miles away, is reachable onlyby motorcycle due to terrible inroads. Even under thesecircumstances, a woman who is nine months pregnantcannot travel on the back of a motorcycle.
The maternity center will serve 1,000 people in Blama Perriand surrounding communities, ensuring that mothers andbabies have appropriate medical care and hygiene duringtheir most vulnerable times. Blama Perri has secured staffwith state certified midwifery degrees.
Thaakat raised $5,000 for this project.
“In the history of the village, there has never been a hygienicor safe place to comfort and care for women and their newbabies. At the time when the woman is ready for labor theonly option has been to wait days for emergency medicalhelp or for a nine month pregnant woman to ride on theback of a bike to the hospital. Sierra Leone has one of thehighest child-mortality rates in the world and we know thatthis center will bring new meaning to 1,000 women, childrenand residents who will in available distance of this maternitycenter.”
- Alan Chorun, US Project Support Manager
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Edesia Plumpy’nut Africa
East Africa faced the most critical food emergency in theworld in 2011. The lives of twelve million people in the regionwere threatened by hunger and starvation. It’s a harshadversity that people in the region have been enduring fordecades- the severity of which has now been brought toworld attention as the UN officially declared a famine in 2011in two areas of Somalia- Bakool and Lower Shabelle.
An estimated 3.7 million people in Somalia- 1/3 of thepopulation- are on the brink of starvation, the most at riskbeing children. In Somalia, malnutrition is exceeding 50% andUnicef reports children are dying at a rate of about oneevery six minutes. To add to the troubles, Somalia is facing anon-going war. Thousands of Somalis have since been takingan arduous journey to walk, sometimes for days, across dryland in search of food and water, displaced from their homesas they try to seek refuge in neighboring cities and countries.Sadly, not everyone survives this dangerous journey.
Thaakat is working with Edesia, a non-profit organization, toprovide Plumpy’nut® to the famine-ravaged region of EastAfrica. Plumpy’nut® is a packaged peanut paste produced byEdesia, with a two year shelf life, requiring no water,preparation, or refrigeration.
Its ease of use has made mass treatment of malnutrition infamine situations more efficient than in the past. The pasteform makes it easy for young children and the weak toconsume this as the body is vulnerable when the most acuteform of malnutrition hits.
11/11/11 Campaign: In the fall of 2011, Thaakat launched aviral campaign asking their followers to get eleven friends todonate $11 by November 11, 2011. The goal was simple andthe campaign was a hit, raising a lucky $11,000!
Our 11/11/11campaign raised
$11,000for Plumpy’nut!
27
Dreams for Kachra Kundi
Thaakat raised $11,000 for this project! Westill have $16,000 more to fundraise for anine room school with plans to expand!
In partnership with Idara Al Khair, we are building a neweducational facility for students being affected by pollutionand disease in a hazardous atmosphere. Miles away fromthe city, a small garbage dump site is home to 300 families.This site is called Kachra Kundi, located in the outskirtsnearly 50 miles away from Karachi. Thaakat visited the sitein December 2011. Below is video footage from the trip:
Driving through Kachra Kundi
Rooftop view of Kachra Kundi
Many in the village earn their livelihood from collectingwaste and reselling it to recycling centers. Not only are theresidents of Kachra Kundi deprived of civic facilities likeelectricity and clean water, but there had previously beenzero access to education. 8 years ago our partner, Idara AlKhair brought in 16 teachers and lots of hope to help themlive their dreams.
Our goal is to help provide Kachra Kundi with an improvededucational facility for 250 students (40% girls), which willbe minutes away from their village but in an area free fromdisease and garbage. Construction for this project began inJanuary of 2012.
Idara Al Khair will be managing the educational operationsof the school while we hope to provide the funding for awalk-in ready facility. There has been growing interest fromparents in the surrounding area to register their childrenand hundreds have lined up to meet with the principal.
We have also partnered with em[Power], a non-profit teamworking to install a small-scale waste-to-energy generatorthat can power the school and a health clinic, enablingexpansion of their services for the community.
Dreams for Kachra Kundi Campaign
Dawn News Coverage
"When these children first came here their faces were sodirty, they were infested with flies. We gave them pencils,papers and erasers and they had no idea what to do withthem. They first called the erasers ‘sabun’ (Urdu for ‘soap’)because I told them that it was used for ‘cleaning’ or‘wiping’ away mistakes on paper. Now these kids comewith clean faces to the classroom, they are excited to learn.The school has made such a difference for them.”
-Teacher, Kachra Kundi School Site
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Monthly Newsletters by Thaakat Insider, Sehrish Khan
Be sure to keep an eye out for Thaakat’s monthly newsletter, released during the firstweek of every month! Sehrish will be providing reviews on local events, activities, andprojects that Thaakat undertakes.
“Dreams for Kachra Kundi” Campaign
We are expecting construction of the new school site in Pakistan to be completed inearly 2012, making the school ready to nurture the intellect of hundreds of children inthe area. New teachers will be hired and Thaakat looks forward to reaching itsfundraising goal of $16,000 to expand and maintain the school for the year!
Iftaar Benefit, July 2012
Take part in helping make a difference by attending the 3rd Annual Iftaar Benefit asThaakat invites all community members to rejoice in an evening of thankfulness andcharity among family and friends! All are welcome!
3rd Annual Basketball Tournament, November 23-24, 2012
Get pumped for Thaakat’s ever famous and most popular event of the year! Watch 16teams compete for a good cause in a basketball tournament for an ultimate grand prize!
More exciting projects and events are in the works!
What to Expect in 2012
*Be sure to have clicked the underlined hyperlinks throughout our Annual Report to have seen exclusive video footage!
A Few Highlights
28
Monthly Newsletters by Thaakat Insider, Sehrish Khan
Be sure to keep an eye out for Thaakat’s monthly newsletter, released during the firstweek of every month! Sehrish will be providing reviews on local events, activities, andprojects that Thaakat undertakes.
“Dreams for Kachra Kundi” Campaign
We are expecting construction of the new school site in Pakistan to be completed inearly 2012, making the school ready to nurture the intellect of hundreds of children inthe area. New teachers will be hired and Thaakat looks forward to reaching itsfundraising goal of $16,000 to expand and maintain the school for the year!
Iftaar Benefit, July 2012
Take part in helping make a difference by attending the 3rd Annual Iftaar Benefit asThaakat invites all community members to rejoice in an evening of thankfulness andcharity among family and friends! All are welcome!
3rd Annual Basketball Tournament, November 23-24, 2012
Get pumped for Thaakat’s ever famous and most popular event of the year! Watch 16teams compete for a good cause in a basketball tournament for an ultimate grand prize!
More exciting projects and events are in the works!
What to Expect in 2012
*Be sure to have clicked the underlined hyperlinks throughout our Annual Report to have seen exclusive video footage!
A Few Highlights
28
Monthly Newsletters by Thaakat Insider, Sehrish Khan
Be sure to keep an eye out for Thaakat’s monthly newsletter, released during the firstweek of every month! Sehrish will be providing reviews on local events, activities, andprojects that Thaakat undertakes.
“Dreams for Kachra Kundi” Campaign
We are expecting construction of the new school site in Pakistan to be completed inearly 2012, making the school ready to nurture the intellect of hundreds of children inthe area. New teachers will be hired and Thaakat looks forward to reaching itsfundraising goal of $16,000 to expand and maintain the school for the year!
Iftaar Benefit, July 2012
Take part in helping make a difference by attending the 3rd Annual Iftaar Benefit asThaakat invites all community members to rejoice in an evening of thankfulness andcharity among family and friends! All are welcome!
3rd Annual Basketball Tournament, November 23-24, 2012
Get pumped for Thaakat’s ever famous and most popular event of the year! Watch 16teams compete for a good cause in a basketball tournament for an ultimate grand prize!
More exciting projects and events are in the works!
What to Expect in 2012
*Be sure to have clicked the underlined hyperlinks throughout our Annual Report to have seen exclusive video footage!
A Few Highlights
29
Applauds to Our MVP of Fundraising:Ayesha Lodhia- $8,000+ in donations
Platinum Donors ($1,000+):APPNASandeep Mehta & Exxon MobileMr. & Mrs. RoyDanya SalehStation Sales & MoreNasir Uddin & BD Medical SystemsAbdul Yaqub
Gold Donors ($500+):Omer AhmedFarooq GandhiTasleem & Shayan GazianiFahad HaroonUzma & Arissa ImamRafiq & Nasreen LodhiaFarrah MalikRuhail MoffatUzma Zakir
Continued Support:Tina BalaniElectro GeniusSamim PatelShua Qureshi
Big Ups to School Organizations Who Supported Us:Benedictine University RotaractElmhurst College Spiritual Life CouncilJacqueline Kennedy Onassis High SchoolNorthwest Suburban CollegeRutgers Pakistani Student Association
Basketball Tournament Captains:Favad AliSaad BawanyTalib Farooqi
Iftaar Benefit Captains:Harris IqbalSara T KhanRuhail Moffat
Corporate Sponsors:BrownhubCarmel HaifaChill N GrillDJ Sammy JDJ TInferno Hookah LoungeJPMorgan Chase FoundationKabab ParadiseKairo KafeKamal Law FirmKrispy Krunchy ChickenLisle Club of RotaryMaya Hookah LoungeNan KingNorth Brunswick High SchoolOakbrook Park DistrictPita InnProfound AestheticSan Remo PizzaSherman Dental CareTaj PalaceTastee Subs
Individual Sponsors:Mr. Wahid KarimSrinu MadullaSaad & Sharon SaeedDr. Sitara SharifMr. Shahid Yousuf
Media Sponsors and Charity Partners:APPNABe The Match®Charities AmericanaEdesiaGeneration GingerHamdard CenterIdara Al KhairThe More Than Tomorrow FoundationNYAWCOzarks Food HarvestPepsi CoQalam DesignsTrinity United Methodist ChurchUrdu Times
A most sincere thank you to all of you who continue tosupport us and to our dear families and friends who arebehind us 110% of the way.
Thank You!
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