In short: Around 23 million children in Pakistan are out of school. For £20 a month you can give one of them a full education with Islamic studies alongside it.
Child education in Pakistan is one of the most urgent needs in the Muslim world today. Around 23 million children are out of school, and for many families the reason is simple. They cannot afford the fees, the uniform or the books, and they need their children to earn a little money at home.
Child education in Pakistan: what happens when a child misses school
A child who leaves school at eight or nine rarely goes back. Boys often end up in low paid labour and girls are frequently married young. Without reading, writing and basic maths, the same family stays poor for another generation. The cycle repeats itself, and it is very hard to break from the inside.
Knowledge in Islam
The very first word revealed to the Prophet ﷺ was “Read” (96:1). He ﷺ said that seeking knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim, as reported by Ibn Majah, and that whoever takes a path to seek knowledge, Allah makes easy for him a path to Paradise, as reported in Sahih Muslim. Supporting a child to learn is supporting them to fulfil that duty.
How our schools work
For nearly a century Zia Ul Ummah Foundation has been building schools across Pakistan. Today we provide free education to around 30,000 students from disadvantaged homes. Our curriculum follows the national syllabus, with English, maths, science, geography and history, and every student can also study Quran, Tajweed and Islamic studies. Children do not have to choose between their dunya and their akhirah.
Where families live too far away, we provide accommodation and meals, so poverty or distance does not stop a child from learning.
What your donation pays for
- £2.50 buys a stationery kit with everything a child needs for class.
- £10 provides a school uniform pack.
- £20 covers one child’s education for a whole month.
Because educating a child goes on bearing fruit, many donors see it as Sadaqah Jariyah. Every page the child reads and every good thing they later teach others can be a source of reward for you.
Sponsor a Child’s Education
£20 a month keeps a child in school, learning both worldly and Islamic subjects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sponsor a specific child?
Yes. You can choose to sponsor an individual student and receive progress reports.
Is education a form of Sadaqah Jariyah?
Many scholars include beneficial knowledge among the forms of ongoing charity, so helping a child learn can bring you lasting reward.
Can I use my Zakat for child education?
Zakat can be used for eligible poor students in some cases. Please contact our office so we can allocate your Zakat correctly.