Light of Hope
By Connie Malik

It began with a flicker of light, but soon spread to give light to the entire room. The evening’s theme was based on the story of one woman lighting her street with the help of many. It was the “Light of Hope” HDF Annual Dinner event in Tampa, Florida on May 3rd, 2008. Over 150 attendees were mesmerized as the children lit up the room with their “dyas.” This was followed by a memorable dinner, auction, and fund-raising event.

The program started with the recitation of Holy Quran and welcoming the guests, Tasneem recognized all the sponsors including the Florida Hospital of Zephyrhills, South Florida Baptist Hospital and Pasco Regional Hospital, among others. Somaira Khan organized the children’s program.

The loyal HDF following raised ~$100,000 to support schools, rural health clinics, economic development, and families in Pakistan. The event was organized by the HDF Tampa Board with the help of many volunteers. MC for the evening was Tanya Siddiqui. She is a young professional who is also organizing an HDF Enable event on May 31st in Tampa.

For the first time, HDF is partnering with a local group that sponsors the “Tampa Bay Academy of Hope.” TBAH serves disadvantaged and at-risk youth between the ages of 12 and 18 who live in socio-economically depressed communities within Hillsborough County. These students receive coaching, mentoring, and leadership skills based on their Leadership through Education model. Like HDF-sponsored schools, they focus on school attendance, school behavior, academic achievement, self-esteem, leadership, parental involvement, and optimal health habits. This partnership is expected to be mutually beneficial as it crosses ethnic and cultural boundaries as both organizations seek the same goal: a better life for the at risk and disadvantaged.

The evening was concluded with Ahmed Faraz reading his poetry. He has inspired Pakistanis for generations with his insight.