Background:
Khanbahadur Lallbibi Welfare Trust (KLWT) has been working in Bhunja valley, Union Council Kawai, Tehsil Balakot, District Mansehra - NWFP in the aftermath of the October 2005
earthquake and provided relief goods (food, clothing and shelter) and medical aid
(medicines and medical camps). This immediate response for the earthquake affectees
produced a healthy environment, trust and working relationship with the local communities.
With the mutual consent of KLWT trustees and local community elders it was decided
to work especially in education and health sector.
KLWT initiated the rehabilitation work in May 2006 by the establishment of transitional schools which were completely destroyed by the earthquake. KLWT signed a MoU with Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) for the establishment and reconstruction of the following Schools.
* Government Girls Primary School – Bhunja
* Government High School – Bhunja
* Government Boys Primary School - Bhunja
The schools were initially started in tents and Marquees. KLWT also provided education material and support to all schools. The Schools are still operating in tents
Government Girls Primary School – Bhunja
With the mutual consent of local community
elders and KLWT the construction of GGPS – Bhunja was started in July 2007. The construction of school took much time due to natural constrain (heavy rains, land
sliding, and snowfall) and communication problems (roads & transportation). After
the completion, KLWT inaugurated the school on 30th August, 2008 and
now the school is fully operational with the help of KLWT sponsored teachers.
The ceremony was started with the
recitation from holly Quraan and Naat e rasool e maqbool (SAW). Mr. Ghulam Dastagir,
Chairman Sarhad Development Authority - NWFP formally inaugurated the school by
ribbon cutting and raising of
Pakistan
flag. After that the students of GGPS – Bhunja sang the National anthem.
KLWT received donations from
the peoples of
Wales
–
UK
for the construction of this school. To honor their generous contribution KLWT invited
Mr. Robert Elwyn James and Mr. William Raymond Jones from
Wales
to participate in the Inauguration ceremony. They raised the Welsh and school flags
in the ceremony.
In this ceremony KLWT Patron in Chief
along with Deputy Commissioner,
Islamabad
, Divisional forest Officer, Kaghan and Government officials from concerned departments
participated in the ceremony. KLWT sponsors, supporter, guests from different areas
and a large number of local community members also participated in the ceremony.
KLWT Program Director presented the project context to the participants.
School students performed different plays and shows.
Local Community elders highlighted
their local problems they are facing after the earthquake and passed the resolution
for the government to take necessary and prompt action on priority basis for the
development of the
Bhunja Valley
.
Awards and certificates:
Mr. Ghulam
Dastagir, Chairman Sarhad Development Authority – NWFP distributed awards amongst
KLWT staff for their performance during the project.
Mr. Khan Abbas Khan, Patron in Chief – KLWT distributed awards amongst KLWT sponsored teachers and volunteers for their support during the project.
Mr. Robert Elwyn James and Mr. William Raymond Jones distributed certificates and gifts amongst the students of GGPS for their regular achievements in primary education.
Dr. Ayaz Khan, Program Director – KLWT and Zahid Jamil Malik, Project Manager – KLWT presented special awards to Mr. Robert Elwyn James and Mr. William Raymond Jones in recognition of their continued support to KLWT.
The Ceremony ends up with prayers
for better future and prosperity. After that lunch was served to the guests.
The Guest from
Wales
–
UK
spent a night at KLWT Field Office – Bhunja they visited different hamlets of the
Bhunja Valley
and met with local community members. Next day they visited Kaghan, Naran,
Lake
lulusar
,
Lake
Saifulmaluk
and returned to
Islamabad
. They had an enriching and emotional experience and went back to the
UK
on 3rd September.
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