Projects
Flagship Projects
Saving lives with clean water – Lifesaver Water Filtration Project
In the aftermath of the floods and devastating monsoon season in 2022, living conditions will continue to remain unsafe for flood-hit communities. Initial estimates by UNOCHA are that some 20% of water systems are damaged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, around 30% in Baluchistan, and up to 50% in the hardest hit areas of Sindh and Punjab.
It is unsafe water that will continue to kill long after water levels have subsided. Unsafe water and lack of clean drinking water is resulting in a significant increase in respiratory illnesses, acute diarrhoea, gastrointestinal illnesses, cholera, malaria, and skin diseases. Unsafe hygiene practices and importantly lack of availability of clean drinking water is a major contributory factor to these illnesses.
RCIM member Rtn. Tazeem Chaudhri took the initiative to help this situation through a unique water filtration system developed by LIFESAVER. RCIM is backing this initiative and is now focusing on ways to ensure clean water to affected areas by providing LIFESAVER water purification cubes. These cubes have the following features:
– LIFESAVER cubes have been designed in collaboration with Oxfam and have been endorsed by UKAID and Save the Children.
– The product does not need chemicals, UV or electricity. It removes 99.99% of viruses, bacteria and protozoa, including E.Coli and polioviruses.
– They have previously been used effectively in humanitarian contexts such as Haiti, South Sudan, Mozambique, and also in Sukkur Pakistan during the 2011 floods.
They are the need of the hour in Pakistan’s current situation as they remove 99% of bacteria, cysts and viruses from water, without the need for chemicals, UV or electricity.
RCIM has arranged for LIFESAVER water filtration cubes to be imported and delivered to affected areas in the environs of Islamabad.
In collaboration with Rotary Club of Pangbourne (UK), 44 LIFESAVER cubes worth GBP 2700 were shipped to RCIM.
GoSport Rotary Club (UK) also supported this project with a contribution of GBP 1000.
Enriching lives through education - RCIM Tree School Project
RCIM has adopted a school for underprivileged children and has given it the name Tree School. The Tree School has been established under a hundreds year old tree in a locality near Islamabad. Boys and girls of the local community are being taught up till Grade 10. RCIM has undertaken to fulfill the educational and other essential needs of the children through frequent visits and regular donations.
Rotary International President 2022-23 Jennifer Jones highly appreciated the project during her visit. During her visit to the school, students of the Tree School sang the Canadian National anthem, which was an emotional moment for the RI President.
RCIM members pledge and contribute essential commodities to students and their families, such as hoodies, shoes, socks, gloves, books and ration packs. RCIM members periodically visit the community to encourage the students and oversee their progress. RCIM members have also donated almost full library books to the school, with more on the way. PP Rtn. Malik Ashraf Hameed has been a leading and inspiring figure in this ongoing initiative.
On 3 April 2023, RCIM members celebrated the Prize Distribution Ceremony with students of the school.
Empowering lives through skills – Lifesaver Hospitality Sector Training Project
Esteemed RCIM member Rtn. Shahid Akram is Director of UK-based Trivelles, a leading name in hospitality and real estate development.
In the spirit of corporate social responsibility and to give back to society, Trivelles has collaborated with Moawin Foundation to impart industry-relevant skills in the hospitality and tourism development sectors.
The Project & Impact
– Skills given free of cost, with accommodation and stipend to deserving beneficiaries
– Industry-recognized certifications awarded after 6-week trainings
– The project fills a huge deficiency in skilled manpower in hospitality and tourism
– Target beneficiaries identified and provided by Moawin Foundation.
Stewardship of our environment - Mega Tree Plantation Project
RCIM has taken the initiative to plant 1000 trees, initially, in the locality of Islamabad. This is a Mega Tree Plantation Drive to safeguard the environmental future of our communities.
In the first phase of this project, 200 Sukh Chayn trees were planted near Chand Tara, in front of Pak China Friendship Center on 15th March 2023. Ms. Javeria Maqbool, Director CDA, planted the trees with members of RCIM.
In the second phase of the project on 19th March 2023, the Chairman of Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA), Capt. Noor-ul-Amin Mengal graced the RCIM Tree Plantation Drive with his presence. RCIM President Rtn. Imran Ghaznavi and the Chairman CDA inaugurated the season’s Tree Plantation Drive in an especially dedicated orchard along Islamabad’s main expressway, the Sri Nagar Highway. Chairman National Electric and Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Mr. Tausef Farooqi, CDA’s Director General Environment Ms. Xenia Hamayun, and other Rotarians were there to celebrate the moment.
Envisioned Impact
– Arming Pakistan against climate change – Trees reduce the impact of carbon emissions and restore natural ecosystems. With Pakistan among the most vulnerable of countries facing adverse effects of climate change, this initiative of tree planting is the simplest and most effective way to decrease Pakistan’s vulnerability in the face of global climate change
– Community development by improving the quality of urban centers – Trees cool our urban centers; this initiative in the heart of a fast-urbanizing Islamabad is geared towards providing a cooling effect to the city. The area will also function as a safe, secure, and well maintained stretch for residents to relax, de-stress and enjoy nature.
– Enhancing the visibility of Rotary as a community development platform – The choice of location of the Rotary Orchard on the main expressway towards Islamabad city center provides an ideal visibility for the branding of Rotary and publicizing its spirit of community development.