Help Us in Building Child Protection Centers

Project Overview

The Alkhidmat Foundation is steadfast in its mission to transform lives through education. With the current literacy rate at 56%, approximately half of our country remains illiterate. This troubling statistic is compounded by the fact that an estimated 22 million children, the majority of them girls, are not attending school. At Alkhidmat Foundation, we believe that every child deserves access to quality education, nourishment, and grooming. Through our Alfalah Scholarship Program, we are addressing the needs of brilliant but needy students at various educational levels. Furthermore, our Child Protection Centers (CPCs) and Skills Development Centers, in collaboration with the Child Protection and Rehabilitation Trust (CPRT), are pivotal in encouraging out-of-school children to return to their studies.

Project Summary

Our goal is to provide educational opportunities to street children through a sophisticated network of more than 50 learning centers across Pakistan. These children, born into unprivileged circumstances or forced to work due to economic pressures, often endure harsh conditions. The Child Protection Centers represent the Alkhidmat Foundation’s continuous efforts to support the most vulnerable segments of society.

The Challenge

Street children face significant challenges, living in poverty and vulnerable to cumulative adverse childhood experiences such as abuse, violence, and mental illness. These children often lack the personal and social resources necessary to overcome their circumstances. Without the support of caring and protective adult relationships, they are exposed to toxic stress, which adversely affects their brain and cognitive development, hinders their academic achievements, and puts them at risk for poor health and learning outcomes.

The Solution

To address these challenges, the Alkhidmat Foundation has developed Child Protection Centers (CPCs) aimed at transforming learning environments and empowering networks of street children. Our approach focuses on the development of adult social and emotional competency (SEC), which is crucial for promoting adult wellbeing and the capacity to model and enact healthy relationships. This, in turn, creates caring and protective environments in classrooms and schools.

Program Implementation

Our program integrates Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into all levels of early childhood education through:

• Professional educator training in synchronous sessions and an online learning platform.
• An SEL curriculum for students.
• Leadership training for educators and administrators.
• Resources to engage and support parents.

Long-Term Impact

The Child Protection Centers (CPCs) provide a systemic approach to integrating SEL into early childhood education, encompassing leadership, educators, students, and families. By combining professional training, curriculum development, and parental engagement, we aim to create a supportive environment that fosters healthy development and thriving children. This holistic approach not only addresses immediate educational needs but also contributes to the long-term development of children, their families, and their communities.

Future Goals

Looking ahead, we aim to expand our network of Child Protection Centers, enhance our training programs, and continue to develop resources that support the overall wellbeing of street children. Our ultimate goal is to respond effectively to the challenges of a changing world, equipping children with the skills and resilience they need to succeed and contribute positively to society.

Call to Action

We invite you to support our mission to build and sustain Child Protection Centers across Pakistan