Archives: Activities

“Connecting Communities to 2030” was the slogan resonating at the Annual National Awards Ceremony at HANDS Head Office, Gadap, Karachi. The event was conducted to highlight the importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inculcating them at grassroot level in Pakistan with a holistic and inclusive approach.
The event took off with the welcome address made by Chairman HANDS, Dr Saeed Ismail. Founding Chairman, Dr. Abdul Gaffar Billoo acknowledged the support of the National and Provincial Governments and development partners. Later on, Chief Executive HANDS, Dr Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed, explained the elaborate history of HANDS and its activities since 1979 and how it has progressed to the current Strategy 2030.
Some of the development partners like Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, UK (FCDO) were connected remotely on the occasion and added their valuable inputs as they received awards for their longstanding partnership with HANDS and playing a pivotal role in development since the last 10 years. Annabel Gerry, Development Director in Pakistan for FCDO Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office UK in Pakistan, mentioned that UK has been a longstanding partner to Pakistan and is fully committed to strengthen the partnership in difficult times. Similarly, USAID Pakistan Director Office for Sindh and Balochistan, Mr James Parys congratulated HANDS on the event and highlighted the importance of partnership HANDS has had with USAID.
Roshan Sheikh, Secretary Social Welfare Department, Sindh Government, also graced the occasion and mentioned that Pakistan has challenges of its own kind because of the critical geopolitical situation that has an impact on its development pace. Similarly, Zahid Ali Abbasi, Secretary Health & Population Welfare Department, Sindh, had high praise of HANDS performance in the province and its key role in development of local communities. Mr. Qazi Azmat Essa, Chief Executive, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), joined the occasion online and gave his value comments. He elaborated on the strong development partnership with HANDS and highlighted the key projects.
Further key notable speakers who participated online and in person were UNICEF Pakistan Sindh, WASH Specialist, Mr. Imran Shami, CIP Sindh, Technical Advisor, Dr. Talib Lashari, Bill and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Gates Foundation, Ms. Rahal Saeed and Ms. Yasmeen Sabeeh Qazi, PSI Pakistan, Country Director Pakistan, Ms. Ayesha Leghari, World Food Programme (WFP), Head of Provincial Office, Dr Aftab Bhatti, International Organization for Migration IOM Pakistan, Senior Program Manager IOM in Pakistan, Ms. PAKLAR Suzana, KBL- Khushhali Microfinance Bank, President, Mr. Ghalib Nishtar and SEF- Sindh Education Foundation, Government of Sindh, Director Programs and Planning, Ms. Sadaf Shaikh.

HANDS firmly believes in the importance of physical activity for staff wellbeing and encouragement. Sports Day is held on the last Saturday of every month and celebrated in full spirit. Activities include both indoor and outdoor games.

HANDS Institutional Development Program successfully organized Five Days Training of Trainer on Project Management at HANDS Head Office Karachi, Gadap. Senior staff from all over Pakistan participated in this training.

HANDS WASH Program organized a handwashing day activity at Scholar Academy to create awareness about handwashing hygiene among school children during the event video displayed for understanding of handwashing steps and necessary precaution from covid19 later students demonstrated how to do hand wash properly and during quiz session gifts were also distributed among childre