OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Friday, 3 April 2009
2009
We remember the time we had started this group. I am sure you all do. The Marriot blast had jolted us all and we realized, perhaps for the first time, how close the threat of terror was to all of us and our lives.
This group was started because we could not watch our country and its people being victimized by a bunch of terrorists. We acknowledged then that we might not end up doing much; but we decided that we could not sit around doing nothing either.
As you are aware, all the money that was collected at that point was passed on to those it was collected for and families of three guards benefited from monetary as well as emotional support in form of our friends who visited them to show solidarity.
Much hasn’t changed between then and now. The terrorists continue to victimize us and our people as we sit glued to the television watching those who have sworn to protect us being mercilessly killed. One wonders why??
What would they achieve killing a few every day? Perhaps it is not the people they are after, but the very spirit of this nation. Perhaps they want to victimize us to the point that we are no more than a numb existence with no hope, no care and no concern. The day that happens, terror has won.
We are writing this today, because just a few days back, when terrorists had attacked the Police Training center the general mood on face book was dismal… The statuses, the notes, the posts everything. Some were frustrated, some angry, some sad, some horrified and a very few hopeful.
We understand that times are tough, perhaps the very worst our Generation has experienced… but you know what they say ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’
This is group formed of individuals who have chosen to be active and not passive as a lot may opt to be. I request you all to keep the spirit alive, for every time that someone attacks our sovereignty or tries to victimize our people… be the ones to stand with your heads high. We are stronger than they think!!
The group is not just about monetary contributions but more so about the emotional and psychological support. Whenever needed donate the tools in your control (status, wall posts, display pictures, blogs, websites) to build morale. If this is a battle of will… Let the world know that we’re not weak!
Regards,The Citizen’s Trust for Victims of Terror
This group was started because we could not watch our country and its people being victimized by a bunch of terrorists. We acknowledged then that we might not end up doing much; but we decided that we could not sit around doing nothing either.
As you are aware, all the money that was collected at that point was passed on to those it was collected for and families of three guards benefited from monetary as well as emotional support in form of our friends who visited them to show solidarity.
Much hasn’t changed between then and now. The terrorists continue to victimize us and our people as we sit glued to the television watching those who have sworn to protect us being mercilessly killed. One wonders why??
What would they achieve killing a few every day? Perhaps it is not the people they are after, but the very spirit of this nation. Perhaps they want to victimize us to the point that we are no more than a numb existence with no hope, no care and no concern. The day that happens, terror has won.
We are writing this today, because just a few days back, when terrorists had attacked the Police Training center the general mood on face book was dismal… The statuses, the notes, the posts everything. Some were frustrated, some angry, some sad, some horrified and a very few hopeful.
We understand that times are tough, perhaps the very worst our Generation has experienced… but you know what they say ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’
This is group formed of individuals who have chosen to be active and not passive as a lot may opt to be. I request you all to keep the spirit alive, for every time that someone attacks our sovereignty or tries to victimize our people… be the ones to stand with your heads high. We are stronger than they think!!
The group is not just about monetary contributions but more so about the emotional and psychological support. Whenever needed donate the tools in your control (status, wall posts, display pictures, blogs, websites) to build morale. If this is a battle of will… Let the world know that we’re not weak!
Regards,The Citizen’s Trust for Victims of Terror
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Dear All,
I hope you and yours had a good Eid.
Just a couple of thoughts to share with you all. Starting with some concerns that Omer Basir had shown.
Omer, You are correct in feeling the frustration at how everyone is reaching out to help victims of one extremely publicized tragedy while hundreds die without even a mention everyday as a result of pointless terrorism. Thank you for appreciating what is happening here... But let me elaborate that whereas we share your frustration, there are two reasons we started where we did:
- It is much easier to gather information on victims of a tragedy such as this as opposed to any act of terrorism happening in Fata or Swat etc. I understand it is not impossible but being laymen, we feel that this is perhaps a good place to start and if we gain enough momentum maybe we will be in a better position, or be able to develop contacts within the set up to gather more information on the other victims.
- We strongly feel that one has to start somewhere. I know helping three random victims’ families might seem like nothing in the grand scheme of things but I am sure that it is better than doing nothing. Like I said it is a good place to start and hearing from our friends who did visit the families, we can make a big difference to their lives.
Perhaps someday soon we will be in a position to help many more and it would only happen if we stand united. Some of our members have given extremely valuable suggestions and something very do-able is helping the families that have been displaced owing to the SWAT escalation. Their children are out of schools and they lack basic civic amenities in the camps. We are trying to gather information on that and it would be great if you can help out in anyway.
The second concern I would like to address is Nausherwan’s in the visits becoming a media frenzy.
Nausherwan I believe you did show up for the visits but did not go all the way, perhaps owing to some personal commitments or perhaps even owing to your disagreement to the presence of media. You would know that best. Anyway, I would like to start by thanking you for showing up in the first place, I know it means a lot to us.
As for the media frenzy there are a couple of things:
- All media showed up voluntarily and no one was specifically contacted to be there (I guess we have a lot of conscientious media people here in the group)
- My own personal point of view and it does not reflect on anyone else is that if the media’s presence there can highlight the issues that those families face, and those families don’t have an issue with it, then perhaps the power of media can work towards benefitting those families.
In case you felt that someone was trying to take credit for the event or blow their own trumpet, I can assure you that weren’t the case.
What I want to make clear again and again here is that this is not a one man show. It is as you may all see a group of people who want to help… that is really it. Nothing more , nothing less. People who can/ want to donate are doing that, those who want to give time are doing that, those who are just here to solidarity are doing just that. My point being that all your inputs and critique are more than welcome as together we are probably in a much better position to make a change, any change. I am sure different people would view this differently, some negatively some constructively and some positively… the cause belongs to all of us.
We are looking at making more visits to the homes of victims and this time the ones who live further away. We will keep all of you posted. If anyone can help in anyway, whether by providing information or support they are more than welcome.
I thank you for standing together.
Regards
Sadaf
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Starting Small, Thinking Big
With a few thousand in the trusts account, we are thinking about where to start. Needless to say, we want to reach out to as many as possible and do as much as we can... BUT we are extremely eager to get going. As a starting point we're working on the following two small projects:
SOLIDARITY VISITS:
Visit the three families that live very close to Islamabad. It's not everyone, we realise, but it is someone... and that is a good place to start. The 'Pakistan Social Association' volunteers and any one else who wants to can visit these families to pledge our support to them.
CONDOLENCE CARDS TO ALL VICTIMS FAMILIES:
We are 'trying' to get a hold a list of all the victims... The final list is hard to get by. But the efforts are still underway. And we will keep you posted on both.
SOLIDARITY VISITS:
Visit the three families that live very close to Islamabad. It's not everyone, we realise, but it is someone... and that is a good place to start. The 'Pakistan Social Association' volunteers and any one else who wants to can visit these families to pledge our support to them.
CONDOLENCE CARDS TO ALL VICTIMS FAMILIES:
We are 'trying' to get a hold a list of all the victims... The final list is hard to get by. But the efforts are still underway. And we will keep you posted on both.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Volunteers Needed
Anyone who wants to help out in any way, is welcome to do so. This idea belongs to all of us who want to help. There are various categories you guys can voluteer in:
1. We have a lot of media peeps in the group here... I understand the channels are not at your disposal guys but any help would be a giant leap! :) Also, various news channels are running stories on the victims, if anyone of you can fetch us information on them... it would be super!!
2. Spreading the word amongst near and dear
3. Volunteering time: Abbas has kindly volunteered to keep up our blog, group and email, BUT we need a lot of help in posting information such as channelizing of funds -- where the money is coming from and who has it gone to etc - to keep all the matters absolutely transparent.
4. Donating Money: This is the simplest way of going about things
5. As soon as we recieve the list of victims we will need to start an effort to generate a database. Volunteers can help us greatly in making phone calls and sorting and maintaining information.
1. We have a lot of media peeps in the group here... I understand the channels are not at your disposal guys but any help would be a giant leap! :) Also, various news channels are running stories on the victims, if anyone of you can fetch us information on them... it would be super!!
2. Spreading the word amongst near and dear
3. Volunteering time: Abbas has kindly volunteered to keep up our blog, group and email, BUT we need a lot of help in posting information such as channelizing of funds -- where the money is coming from and who has it gone to etc - to keep all the matters absolutely transparent.
4. Donating Money: This is the simplest way of going about things
5. As soon as we recieve the list of victims we will need to start an effort to generate a database. Volunteers can help us greatly in making phone calls and sorting and maintaining information.
Process for Donations
Guys,
This is somewhat the donations break up we are working on. Needless to say this is extremely basic and requires a lot more thought. We have recently added severly injured victims and amputees to our scope of work also... That would obviously mean taking care of their medical bills.
Any thoughts here are welcome.
Regards
Sadaf
Monday, 22 September 2008
THE CITIZENS TRUST FOR VICTIMS OF TERROR
Idea: To generate an on-going fund for the families of the victims of Terror attacks primarily those affected by Suicide Bombs.
Synopsis: As a trend the primary victims of suicide attacks are the Security Guards, Low level Police Soldiers, Security Officials and Drivers etc. Usually the victim leaves over 5 dependants behind who in most cases are given anywhere between Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 300,000 from the employer or the government.
On-ground Reality: We exalt these brave men and women to the status of Martyrs however, after a basic amount from the government/ employer; we absolve ourselves of this responsibility.
The Emotion: Pakistanis are one family. When one member of the family is in distress, the rest all rush to his or her help… Similarly if a member of our Pakistani brotherhood gives his life protecting the others it is our duty to ensure that his dependants are taken care of.
Mechanics:
1. Generate a comprehensive database of victims, their dependants and profile their dependents as per:
a. Age
b. Gender
c. Relation
2. Establish an Account in the name of the victims and their families
3. Make a Nationwide call for donations
4. Based on the donations received make donations to the victims families to fortify whatever small amount they have received from the government or their employer.
Areas of Concern:
The fund will be utilized in the following three areas of concern:
1. Education
2. Welfare
Based on the feedback from the donors following areas can be included in the program, the mechanics of the same can be finalized once the areas are included.
3. Medical
4. Special Concerns (Marriage, Post Humus Birth of Child etc)
Education:
For education one may partner with existing NGOs such as The Citizens Foundation or Teach a Child Foundation who are already working in the area. With a regular monthly stipend towards each child benefiting from this program, responsibility of the education can be handed over.
However, in the absence of such an alliance as yet, the fund will be directed towards simply paying the children's fee to the school they are studying in currently. This offers the additional benefit of the child continuing in his or her familiar environment.
Welfare:
To avoid complication, the Welfare amount will be based on number of depends and amount per dependant as opposed to a lump sum being handed over to each house hold. This will take into consideration each dependant as opposed to each family.
Potential Donors:
Corporate Donors: Corporate Donors may include all organizations in the country however; special sponsorship packages can be devised to accommodate bigger donations.
Individual Donors: Individual Donors are at liberty to donate as little or as much as they choose.
Partner Organization:
To win donor trust, this initiative is being carried out in partnership with an established organization.
Profile of the partner is below:
Pakistan Social Association:
This organization was established on the first of January, 1930 in Hyderabad Deccan. The aims and objects of this organization are to get the pleasure of God through the service of humanity. This organization has been operational for more than a half century and is one of the oldest Social and educational organizations in the sub continent. The PSA has trained more than one million social workers in half a century. The movement has got 400 branches consisting of five thousand members in four provinces of Pakistan.
Project Scale:
The sky is the limit. Given the recent terror attack at Marriot and the month of Ramadan, it is perhaps best to start this fund with the victims of the latest incident.
The fund can be sustained for longer term for (God forbid) any other terror victims that might require assistance.
Eligibility Criteria for Victims:
Whereas all victims of such terror attacks deserve help and support, the trust fund will start with supporting the more needy low level employees in the beginning.
This will be decided at the discretion of a committee formed for the purpose.
Account Details for Donations:
The account below will be used for the donations:
Pakistan Social Association
1001407
Muslim Commercial Bank
F10 Markaz Branch
Synopsis: As a trend the primary victims of suicide attacks are the Security Guards, Low level Police Soldiers, Security Officials and Drivers etc. Usually the victim leaves over 5 dependants behind who in most cases are given anywhere between Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 300,000 from the employer or the government.
On-ground Reality: We exalt these brave men and women to the status of Martyrs however, after a basic amount from the government/ employer; we absolve ourselves of this responsibility.
The Emotion: Pakistanis are one family. When one member of the family is in distress, the rest all rush to his or her help… Similarly if a member of our Pakistani brotherhood gives his life protecting the others it is our duty to ensure that his dependants are taken care of.
Mechanics:
1. Generate a comprehensive database of victims, their dependants and profile their dependents as per:
a. Age
b. Gender
c. Relation
2. Establish an Account in the name of the victims and their families
3. Make a Nationwide call for donations
4. Based on the donations received make donations to the victims families to fortify whatever small amount they have received from the government or their employer.
Areas of Concern:
The fund will be utilized in the following three areas of concern:
1. Education
2. Welfare
Based on the feedback from the donors following areas can be included in the program, the mechanics of the same can be finalized once the areas are included.
3. Medical
4. Special Concerns (Marriage, Post Humus Birth of Child etc)
Education:
For education one may partner with existing NGOs such as The Citizens Foundation or Teach a Child Foundation who are already working in the area. With a regular monthly stipend towards each child benefiting from this program, responsibility of the education can be handed over.
However, in the absence of such an alliance as yet, the fund will be directed towards simply paying the children's fee to the school they are studying in currently. This offers the additional benefit of the child continuing in his or her familiar environment.
Welfare:
To avoid complication, the Welfare amount will be based on number of depends and amount per dependant as opposed to a lump sum being handed over to each house hold. This will take into consideration each dependant as opposed to each family.
Potential Donors:
Corporate Donors: Corporate Donors may include all organizations in the country however; special sponsorship packages can be devised to accommodate bigger donations.
Individual Donors: Individual Donors are at liberty to donate as little or as much as they choose.
Partner Organization:
To win donor trust, this initiative is being carried out in partnership with an established organization.
Profile of the partner is below:
Pakistan Social Association:
This organization was established on the first of January, 1930 in Hyderabad Deccan. The aims and objects of this organization are to get the pleasure of God through the service of humanity. This organization has been operational for more than a half century and is one of the oldest Social and educational organizations in the sub continent. The PSA has trained more than one million social workers in half a century. The movement has got 400 branches consisting of five thousand members in four provinces of Pakistan.
Project Scale:
The sky is the limit. Given the recent terror attack at Marriot and the month of Ramadan, it is perhaps best to start this fund with the victims of the latest incident.
The fund can be sustained for longer term for (God forbid) any other terror victims that might require assistance.
Eligibility Criteria for Victims:
Whereas all victims of such terror attacks deserve help and support, the trust fund will start with supporting the more needy low level employees in the beginning.
This will be decided at the discretion of a committee formed for the purpose.
Account Details for Donations:
The account below will be used for the donations:
Pakistan Social Association
1001407
Muslim Commercial Bank
F10 Markaz Branch
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