I was one and a half when my father passed away and I did not have any other siblings. The loss of a loved one is a great trial upon us from Allah and it makes you question many things. One becomes incomplete. I believe everything that one goes through makes you the person you are. Dealing with loss from such an early stage taught me strength and independence. Human existence runs parallel to human experiences and different situations let us learn, experience and feel multiple emotions.
I have two little sisters from my mother’s second marriage whom I adore very much. When I was 12, my grandfather WG.Cdr Zafar.I.Bhatty passed away. After his death I moved in with my grandmother, Dr. Major Tabassum Bhatty to keep her company. I am privileged to have a grandmother and I admire her deeply for the way she has loved and lived and continues to do so. Nothing would have been possible if she wouldn’t have supported my ideas.
My interest in charitable and welfare causes began in grade six while studying at Aitchison College, Lahore. Over the last decade I have been associated with different welfare organizations like Fatima Memorial Hospital, Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Shalimar Hospital, Care Foundation, and most actively with Jannat-Ul-Firdous Trust. JUF trust was founded by Mrs. Shamim Mahmood (late), a distant relative of my grandmother. Her work has influenced me both personally and professionally.
“Parvarish” is like an extension of my arm and hence the idea behind PCF could not be presented to you without an insight into my life. It has been my dream to see orphans and needy being taken care of in a humane environment as not everyone is blessed with a supportive family. Not all parents & grandparents are in the position to cater for such children as mine have been. Not every mother is as professionally sound and personally strong as mine has been.
Many people question my focus on ‘this cause’ at such an early age. They believe I should only be focused on my career. My answer is, it is not about how you deal with life, in fact, it’s more about how life deals with you. Certain things are bound to happen because they are destined by God to be that way. I never planned or perhaps even wanted to begin a charity of my own until June, 2017. I was planning other things, but they didn’t happen and this happened. I personally know a Former Counselor, she has been trying to register her NGO for 3 years but to no avail. The registration process has become so tough due to the current atmosphere that it takes months to register such an organization. PCF was registered within 27 days without any special formula. Our first Campaign was ‘Qurbani 2017’ and the response was phenomenal and surpassed all expectations. Our aim at PCF is helping those in need irrespective of age, caste, creed, gender or religion.
Much is left to be done which seems impossible without your support. Hence I would urge you to please be a part of this noble cause. I believe that the ultimate goal for a human being is to give without expecting anything in return. Let’s work together to soothe our souls. We all spend money on ourselves, built luxury homes, provide more than the need of our children but how many of us are capable of rising above the usual norm, above the societal code of conduct, towards the optimum of spirituality and self-peace?
I can’t claim how far our efforts would go, that’s not even much of my concern either. That shall happen according to the Divine plan destined for us. But I promise that goodness and transparency shall always be kept intact at PCF. May Allah help us achieve the goals he has set for us. Ameen.
Duas and best wishes!
Shahwaiz Nadeem
Founder/President
PCF