PROGRESS, ACTIVITIES & FUTURE PROGRAM 2007-2008
Although the country had been through a traumatic time in the year 2005-2006 and AURA faced it’s own share of grief and problems, with the Grace & Blessings of Allah, we managed to overcome them and kept going on with our Mission and the Goals that we had set for ourselves. Nonetheless, the year 2006-2007 had also been full of turmoil and tragedies, both on the National level as well as locally at AURA. We are Grateful to Allah for His MERCY & unlimited BOUNTIES of having given us the courage & Healthy Life to carry on with our plans for helping those who also have a right to Better Quality of life.
OPEN HOUSE was held on Saturday 17th February 2007 instead of 10th due to Ashura. As in the preceding years, this time too it was a successful event. Celebrities like Moeen Akhtar and Jimmy Engineer had also taken out time to visit at special invitations of Serene Mooraj and Aban Jamall. There were many first time visitors such as Naseem Saeed of Special Olympics, St. Marians Shanaz Ansari & Naseem Akhtar along with Dr Nusrat Baloch, Dr Talat Pasha and Nasreen Hamerani (who are our Members as well).
Representatives from other organizations such as British Women Association, American Women Association, Madular Education & Welfare Trust, Al Shifa from Airport, students of Mama Parsi Girls School (some with their families),Doctors & Medical students were also there. Many of our regular Donors and Well Wishers were there to encourage us. ‘’HUM’’ TV team was there to cover the event which went on air the following week in their programme ‘Pakistani’. Reporters/photographers from leading Daily Newspapers of Karachi & Hyderabad were also present. Newsletter AURA 2007 had been printed in time to be distributed on this day, thanks to our conscientious printer. Mr Ejaz is Parent of one of our Ex student. The beautiful layout (thanks to the young Medical student Akber Herikar, s/o Dr Arif & Yasmeen, our member) was appreciated by everyone. Serene’s stall with handicrafts made by our children and the White Elephant jumble sale did well in raising some Funds, but the Food stall was where everyone ended up eventually with the Daal-puri(made by our member Nasreen) being the ‘hit’ item. Jimmy Engineer kindly bought lunch for all of AURA staff. The Donation Box at the Reception was also filled up by those who wanted to help in this Cause for Special Children.
NET WORKING with other organizations on National level was the reason for a four day trip to Peshawar, Mansehra & Muzafarabad. It was an educational experience for Rasheeda Naviwala and myself as we got to see the tremendous work being done in this Province for the last many years, in the Govt as well as private sector. Not only did we enjoy the legendary hospitality of our hosts but also explored possibilities of bi lateral exchange of Knowledge and Expertise which will help our future plans, especially when we start the Sheltered Workshop. The Paraplegic Centre in Peshawar can help with training our local apprentices in making Wheel chairs, Walkers etc and PIPOS (Pakistan Institute of Prosthetics & Orthotics Sciences) offering Four years degree course in making Artificial limbs as well as Gait training Aids, can conduct workshops here if invited by AURA.
FIRST FLOOR / BASEMENT CONSTRUCTION_ after having approved the proposal of ADNAN ASDAR & ASSOCIATES, a Project & Construction Management Company recommended by Tariq Qaiser, our Architect, the construction work started from 23rd June 2007 with the completion date given as end of December 2007.Initially it progressed at a rapid space and inspite of some flaws in the Drawings which had to be changed according to our present requirements the work went on smoothly.. Due to Ramzaan and aftermath of the tragic incidences of 18th October and 27th December 2007, the deadline of completion of work on the First floor by end of December could not be met. Meanwhile the AAA people having simultaneously started work of finishing the Basement according to our needs are trying hard to complete the whole job in the next few weeks hopefully.
REHABILITATION PROGRAM continued in best possible way under many adverse situations. With the climbing graph of Inflation, the present Salary Structure is being reviewed, making it more substantial but keeping in view the sustainability of our Financial status.
Appointments for Assessments were given whenever Karachi’s situation permitted to do so from January 2007-January 2008
Total no of Assessments done________76
Admissions given to_______________ 25
Waiting for Admission_____________ 28
Admission refused by parents
due to living far___ 08
Referrals to other Centers___________10
Advised Private therapy at Home_____ 05

Note: Two children from Balochistan have been given appointment. After Assessment, the parents will be advised about the Home Program and will be called for re-assessment after three or six months depending upon the severity of their condition.
On completion of the First floor, it is Proposed to utilize half of the upstairs building for extending the Morning shift Rehabilitation program.. Children on the Waiting list in this category can also be accommodated. With more rooms downstairs, children / adolescents on Waiting list with mild to moderate challenges will be able to benefit. For the additional duties of Pick & Drop, contract van with a driver should be hired and the parents will be directly responsible for the payment. AURA will only receive Fee for the Rehabilitation Services.
CHILD SPONSORSHIP SCHEME has been operational for the last eight years. Initially the expense per child was calculated to be Rs 5000 per month, whereas the Fees charged for the services including Pick & Drop was only Rs 2000/= 10% of the total no of children were paying this amount while the rest were either paying a very small amount or were totally free. The Sponsor adopting a child was asked to pay Rs 5000/month or Rs 60,000/annually. As the children grew in number, the expenses now calculated came to Rs 6000/month. The fees had to be raised for those who could afford it to Rs 3000/month and from the Sponsor Rs 6000/month or Rs 72,000/annually.
Presently the Total number of children/adolescents enrolled are______ 95
Children paying 50% Subsidized fee at Rs 3000/mth___ 28
Children paying 30% of Subsidized fee at Rs 900/ mth__ 59(on Average)
Children being SPONSORED (paying as token Rs 200/mth)__ 08
Children WAITING for Full Sponsorship _________________ 59
Children WAITING for Half Sponsorship_________________ 28
Before coming to the end of this report, let me reiterate the importance of looking for a permanent means of Financial Sustainability, so that this gigantic mission that we have taken upon ourselves, may be continued by the younger Generation to come and the Ray of Hope, that has been shown to many disillusioned and disheartened parents of these Special Children, shall keep shining brightly. Amen.
Dr Ruby Anwar Abbasi TI