The story of Mahajreen and Ansar

The toughest times in the history of Pakistan have seen the nation come together and present a united front.  The  generosity displayed by individuals who came forward during distressful times can hardly be explained, nor can it be fully appreciated through words.

This was also the case during the recent displacement of people from the Swat and Mardan regions due to violence.  Initially, the government had not set up camps for the displaced families.  This crisis saw ordinary people step up and offer their own homes to the refugees, and thus create unique stories of hospitality and love.

Babu Jan is one such resident of the Swabi region who did not for a moment consider his own weak economic condition before offering assistance to those in need.  A watchman by profession, he accommodated two families fleeing from Swat and gave up most of his own home for their comfort.  By doing so Babu Jan became a beacon of hope to these families in despair.

With assistance from Human Development Foundation’s Village Development Organization (VDO) Ranra, Babu Jan provided them food in the beginning. Later, he furnished them with utensils and clothing items.  Without fretting over his family’s own comfort in the near future, Babu Jan and his family enabled the displaced families to hold their own during this crisis.

There are many people like Babu Jan and families like his own - luminous rays of hope that dispel the darkness of despair – who decided that especially when things appear bleak they shall provide hope.  Philanthropy, in ancient Greek, means “to love people”. Babu Jan and others like him are true philanthropists, in that they do not merely give that which they possess in excess but they share the only bread that they have.

HDF did a situation analysis early on, in the two camps set up in Mardan, and provided the following services to the displaced families:

• Mobile health units to provide preventive and curative health services
• Recreational and rehabilitation centers to help cope with the psychological trauma
• Milk for infants and children
• Sanitation programs
• Clean drinking water
• Social mobilization programs

Practice philanthropy by sharing of yourself with the underprivileged in Pakistan.