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New directions for PAWA

In an ever changing world, continuity and consistency in one’s purpose and actions are essential, if not paramount. Having a vision and executing the goals and tasks that flow from it, is a wonderful start. Achieving the initial goal is excellent, but being steadfast and carrying on with processes that ripen over time and circumstances can prove a challenge to many. 

Earlier this year, I stepped into the role of Chairing the board of trustees for PAWA. Founded over a decade ago to support grass roots charities in funding teenage girls’ education in the poorest parts of Asia, PAWA has gone from strength to strength over the years under the steer of its capable founders and volunteers, leaving its mark in the lives of the many girls it has supported. It is indeed an honour to be given an opportunity to continue the great work of my predecessors and it is my hope that I can help bring PAWA to the next level in expanding its vision for the cause that it stands for.  

Mission continuity is important, and this requires consistency. Being consistent with our mission involves continuing to support the girls, where possible, beyond the early parts of their education. This also gives us the opportunity to measure the impact of PAWA’s earlier assistance to them. This year, PAWA is very grateful to the family of Serena Janssens, for through the Serena Janssens Memorial Fund’s generous donation, PAWA is enabling two of the girls it has previous supported to enrol in higher education institutions.  Priyanka  Acharya of JMB/Jesuits School, Nepal and Cathryn Ruth of Home of Peace,  Malaysia, both of whom have received PAWA’s support since the ages of 11, have successfully enrolled at the Kathmandu University and Hungarian Government to Esterhazy Karoly Catholic University, respectively. Priyanka is pursuing a Degree in Law and Business whilst Cathryn is pursuing a Degree in Viticulture & Oenology engineering. 

This is indeed a great moment for PAWA, as underpinning the continuity of one’s mission is accountability. The ability to measure performance is essential, for what can be measured, can be managed well.  With both Priyanka and Cathryn, the impact of our support is more apparent and we hope that in time we are able to continue to help many more girls achieve a higher level of education.    

Do join us on October 13 to mark the International Day of the Girl (October 11) and hear more about our endeavours in this direction. Details are below.   

I wish you all the best for the rest of the year 2022 and hope to see you at PAWA’s Annual Meeting in the Spring.  

AZLINDA ARIFFIN-BOROMAND 

Chair, Board of Trustees 

PAWA

PAWA Event

PAWA Projects

Many of the countries in which we operate have felt the brunt of climate change. The floods in Pakistan have affected some of the schools run by Care Pakistan, our partner on the ground, but the specific school that PAWA supports — Gulshan Park school in Lahore— has thankfully been spared. 

Floods hit Bangladesh earlier in the year including the delta area where we fund a programme for teenage girls aboard a floating school with our partner Learning for Life in Kishoreganj. Despite the chaos the boat survived and lessons and SONGLAP sessions resumed quickly and were able to continue. However parts of Bangladesh are now facing the possibility of drought and we have just received this update from Learning for Life: The flooding in Bangladesh has now subsided, although it has left a great deal of damage. However, the main concern is now drought, as following the flooding, the monsoon rains stopped completely six weeks earlier than usual. These areas really are at the forefront of climate change and it’s extremely concerning. We are discussing with our partners how we can best support communities and build climate change resilience into all our projects.