Dear Donors, Supporters and Friends,

I write to you with wonderful news. After all your efforts and generosity, we have met our fund raising targets for the primary school we’re building in Khairo Dero with The Citizens Foundation (TCF). We have raised a total of 12 million rupees ($150,000) which will cover the cost of building and furnishing the school.

You will recall our project had been delayed because of land issues. During that period, TCF increased their budget for the school significantly because of higher cement and steel costs. To accommodate the resulting financial constraints, we asked TCF to make a financial contribution by themselves taking on the annual costs of running the school. They agreed. As such, our fund raising efforts for the Khairo Dero school have now come to a successful conclusion.

Renowned architect and development specialist Arif Hasan has very kindly designed the school for us, keeping in mind climatic needs of that region, where temperatures are as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). We are deeply grateful for his most generous donation of time and professional expertise. His support has been invaluable.

TCF plans to begin construction on the school by the end of August and enroll our first batch of children when the Pakistani academic year begins in April 2010.

You’ll be hearing from us again through our regular updates. Meanwhile, do take a look at http://www.alihasanmangitrust.org, which will tell you more about our projects and plans. And please share our Web site with your family and friends. Do also write to us at mt@alihasanmangitrust.org with your feedback and suggestions. We’d love to hear from you.

We would like to thank you all for your unwavering support and generosity. This school will be as much yours as it will be ours and we would love for any of you to visit once it is up and running. And thank you from the people of Khairo Dero, who send their gratitude and blessings.

All the best,

Naween A. Mangi
Managing Trustee