MIR JAFFAR KHAN JAMALI FOUNDATION is an independent, non-profit, non-government and a non-sectarian Civil Society Organization. We established MIR JAFFAR KHAN JAMALI FOUNDATION in February 1998 , with a view to promote non-formal Education, reproductive Health, Advocacy, Women and Child improvement projects for the deprived and downtrodden communities living in-human life in the under privileged areas. There are many ways to have solidarity with the people. The primary form has been the involvement of Civil Society Organizations in the people’s struggles through concientization, participatory actions and otherwise different living activities for Peace, Development and Transformation. We feel that through these living activities we can join hands with voiceless and marginalized communities struggling for their betterment in rural areas and urban slums. We are registered under Societies Act 1860, and Registration No: is 1013.

We work among women and children in particular and in aboriginal people, urban poor, agricultural labourers and inter-faith groups, who are all struggling for human dignity, self-determination and self-reliance. Out of our experience in the struggle of the people, we see a vision, which may be described as “LIFE TOGETHER”.

At the same time, we who struggle for transformation must join hands for common actions to improve the life of poor at grassroots level.   All the exploitation  factors need to be challenged, so that the idea of life together is to become a reality for the exploited communities.

We have established MIR JAFFAR KHAN JAMALI FOUNDATION to give the strong support to the poor Communities particularly to the Women living uncertain life in our male dominated society and to the Children being ignored due to high illiteracy rate and worst economic situations.

RATIONALE:

Plight of Poor:

Mass Poverty is a stark reality in Pakistan. More than 55% people are living in abject poverty, their number is increasing and their situation is deteriorating. Four development decades have failed to improve their living conditions. Many of the benefits of agriculture and industrial development have gone to a few, and increased the existing disparity. In fact, the development process has actually contributed to the worsening of the plight of the poor. The poor of today suffer not only materially but also socially, culturally, politically and economically. Rising expectations and the ostentatious living of the rich next door, make them feel miserable. Traditional values and socio-eco-pol-cultural support systems have been eroded, making the life of the poor even more unbearable.  

The poor are fast loosing their human dignity and cultural identity. They are increasingly oppressed and exploited. The growing role of centralized institution and increasing concentration of wealth and power marginalize the poor and make them feel less then human. They are treated as objects and have become more and more dependent on others. The root cause of poverty is the prevailing social, economic and political structures. It is the unjust system that locks the poor in perpetual poverty.

Plight of Women:

The plight of women is due to many interrelated factors. The “green revolution” and growing displacement of small farms by agribusiness have led to peasant indebtedness and migration to cities. Migration putsthe burdens of livelihood and family on the women while rural poverty drives young women to the cities in search of jobs. Unspeakable work conditions, such as those that exist in the free trade zones, physically debilitate them in a few years and the rural urban jumps can lead to negative consequences such as the swing to consumer-oriented values.

Women in rural areas are victimized by the burden of work in the field, in addition to taking care of their children and large families. They suffer from various diseases including malnutrition and intoxication from pesticides. Furthermore, they suffer from traditional social and cultural values, which are built on a patriarchal basis. Due to increased workload and responsibilities as a result of the migration of their manfolk to the cities, women are more than ever deprived of opportunity to learn and develop their capacity, and are thus caught in a various circle of perpetuating poverty.

Ultimately, through their increasing awareness by the Civil Society Organization and intensified perception of the suffering women, they have compelled to be concerned and to act on this important issue of development.

Plight of Children:

The unprecedented rate of population growth is another factor of crucial importance. Its adverse consequences are already evident in the suffering of children without adequate, food and young people without employment. If the present rate of population growth continues, it will have serious effects on the quality of life of families, and communities, particularly life of the children.

About MJKJ Foundation