Category: Pakistan

U Microfinance Bank has joined hands with Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) for the SAF Education initiative. U Bank will sponsor the establishment of an IT Lab at SAF School, Malikpur Campus, Lahore. This collaboration is aimed at uplifting the education sector in Pakistan and will enable 430 students, currently enrolled at the campus, to learn computer usage, coding, and programming skills. 

The MoU signing ceremony was held at Ubank’s head office in Islamabad and was signed by Mr. Kabeer Naqvi, President & CEO – U Microfinance Bank, and Mr. Shahid Afridi – Chairman SAF, in the presence of the senior management of both the collaborating organizations.

Shahid Afridi Foundation’s education initiative focuses on empowering and uplifting youth to become independent contributing members of society.

SAF has partnered with EDVON Robotics to skill and upskill our youth through digital learning programs. SAF and EDVON share the same vision to empower and uplift youth by equipping them with right tools to become independent contributing members of our economy.

We joined hands for the 5th version of EDVON Robotics League: Pakistan’s largest coding and robotics competition, co-hosted by ITCN Asia and the Ministry of Education, Govt of Sindh to provide a platform to some 200K+ students across Pakistan to showcase their talent.

An EdTech conference was organized at Karachi Expo to create awareness and advocate the importance of imparting IT skills to the youth through a dialogue session. The event was attended by Policy makers and prominent stakeholders of the society including , Chairman SAF Shahid Afridi, Zafar Abbas (JDC), Qasim Ali Shah, Education Ministers, policy makers, and Industry IT leaders.

There is a desperate need to provide eye health services especially to those that can least afford them. Therefore, SAF health team organized a free eye camp at Sahibzada Fazal Rehman Hospital after assessing the medical needs of communities there.

The camp was set up to provide quality eye care services to the inidividuals. In addition to a free outpatient department (OPD) facility at the camp, medicines, eyesight checking and specialist consultation were provided free of cost. We proudly facilitated 1,023 individuals in the camp.

Pleased to commence the Cricket for Change with US Consulate for SAF students in Faisalabad and Sheikhupura. Matches were conducted in the ground among teams where students displayed their skills developed during the 5-day camps. CFC focused on developing essential life skills and changing attitudes and perspectives of the students enrolled in the program. The CFC coaches helped students develop motor and cognitive skills while teaching them how to focus and accomplish goals, and most importantly how can they play cricket and choose sports as a career.

Notable officials and personalities including Tanveer Hassan (Cultural Affairs Specialist, U.S General Consulate General Lahore, Muhammad Talha (Pakistani Test Cricketer), Muhammad Salman (Pakistani Test Cricketer), and Rana Habib-ur-Rehman (Chairman – Standing Committee on Technical Education & Vocation Training) also  visited  the camps  and distributed cricket kits, awarded trophies to winning teams, and  medals to all 45 participants.  

Cricket for Change was all about providing opportunities for the youngsters and empower them who are ignored by mainstream provision. We used their love of cricket to help them develop their self-confidence and instill values of teamwork, mindfulness, and inclusivity.

SAF organized cricket summer camp for the kids between the ages of 13 to 19 under the supervision of quality coaching staff. The camp provided extensive practice, training while providing valuable exposure in a camp environment. Besides that, the camp also focused on grooming the players in various other life aspects that will be critical in their growth as cricketers. Our coaches worked with them through individualized trainings and help them curate their styles and techniques.

Participants were introduced to different batting techniques and were coached on how to maintain momentum on the field. They also got the opportunity to learn how to build stance, hold the bat, and stand in front of the stumps pointing non-dominant shoulder towards the bowler, how to keep the eyes on the ball and so much more, in order to help them polish their skills to carve their way into professional cricket. Summer Stumps was an outlet to harness physical potential and hone athletic skills while preparing them to compete on a professional level.

Notable cricket stars including Anwar Ali, Nomanullah, Dr. Nadeem Ahmed, and chairman Shahid Afridi himself graced the camp with their visit and enlightened the participants with their valuable lessons from their extensive cricketing career and shared their secrets of trade and scoring runs.