She spoke at length, the words spilling over with emotions, love and reflection. It was like a mother holding a new-born in her arms and then, gushing over the physical and mental effort that made it possible for her to finally hold her precious baby. Hadiqa Kiani gave off the same intensity as she spoke of the relief work, the homes and hope she provided to so many lost souls. It was both heartening and inspiring – and there’s no stopping her, Thank Goodness!
The Floods in Pakistan in the months of July – August 2022 left up to 33 million people affected. As early as December 2022, a UN report quoted that 8 Million people were still homeless after the flood that hit the country in Monsoon season 2022.
While any work we undertake for relief efforts is understandably like a drop in the ocean, it is critical to understand that many drops come together to make the ocean – no effort is too small, or too insignificant. That is the mindset with which Hadiqa Kiani decided to take on the monumental task of building homes, adopting entire villages and rehabilitating men, women and children whose livelihoods, families and hopes were swept away in the blink of an eye.
And she’s doing all this with her Social help campaign Vaseela e Raah to assist people to come back on their feet once more.
Vaseela e Raah: Laying The Foundation For New Lives, One Home At A Time
While you may have heard and read of the plight of many who still battle the after-effects of the Floods in Pakistan, we give you 3 stories that helped give hope. Because, it is only with hope that we can help rebuild the lives of those who lost everything.
Hadiqa spoke passionately of all the people she came across, the challenges and the stories of triumph. These 3 stood out for us and we hope they inspire you to keep on giving and alleviating the plight of many who are still trying to meet each day as it comes.
1. Dai Banzeer – Maternity Home
Dai Banzeer is a lady health worker who resides in the far flung areas of Balochistan. She is trained and equipped to help in the process of child birth and hence, a critical need, in fact, the person who stands between life and death, often, for many women who have to walk miles before they can reach any health or maternity clinic.
However, Dai Banzeer’s home was completely wrecked in the floods. She now has a two room maternity centre constructed for her by Vaseela e Raah. Dai Banzeer can now tend to all the married women and mothers who need her services in the area. The land itself upon which the clinic was made did not have easy access by road so Vaseela e Raah was assisted by the Pakistan Army who helped construct a walk way off the beaten track to make it easy for women to reach the maternity centre.
2. Sanam Bibi Built Her Own House
Sanam Bibi rebuilt her own house with mud and whatever material she could scavenge after the floods had destroyed her home. Since her husband was severely sick and bed-ridden, she had to do the job alone and while she was pregnant and also had younger children to tend to.
Sanam Bibi reconstructed her home with her own hands and as a tribute to her courage and bravery, and her need to shelter her family, Vaseela e Raah helped construct a solid house for her and her family.
This is the house she first built with her own hands:
Thanks to the flood relief efforts, Sanam Bibi now has a cemented roof over her head to keep her family and herself safe from the vagaries of the weather.
3. 12 Year Old Muneer
Muneer Ahmad’s father served as an ATF soldier – Constable Parvez Ahmed. Unfortunately, he passed away in May 2019 as he was a chronic Hepatitis C patient and his liver collapsed eventually. He died while on duty. Constable Pervaiz Ahmed left behind three children(2x sons and 1 daughter).
12 year old Muneer Ahmad is the eldest.
Muneer had no one to support him and his younger siblings. Vaseela e Raah has set up a corner grocery store in his village which is near the primary school. Muneer can now run the store as well as go to school in the morning. This will help him support his younger siblings who are dependent on him as well.
The initial stock and inventory of the store has also been provided by Vaseela e Raah at least for the first few months till Muneer can hopefully roll over his savings.
Going Forward
Hadeeqa Kiani and Vaseela e Raah have constructed 100 homes in the area of Tambu in Balochistan province. They are currently going on to build 200 more houses in the area of Chhatar in Kundi with the help of the Pakistan Army! The area has experienced wide spread devastation and requires healthcare, educational and clean water facilities on an immediate basis.
If you would like to donate to the cause, the account details appear below for Pakistani Residents.
VASEELA-E-RAAH
For Pakistani Residents
FLOOD RELIEF 2022
HADIQA KIANI
Account Details mentioned below:
Account Title:
Anwari Khanam Welfare Society (Regd)
Account #:
02010104341259
Bank name & Branch address:
Meezan Bank
Gulberg Branch, Lahore
If you reside abroad and would like to contribute, please visit the Go Fund Me Link Here:
Vaseela e Raah Go Fund Me – Flood Relief 2022 Hadiqa Kiani
For Expat Residents
or click here:
http://gofundme.com/vaseelaeraah
Catch a glimpse of Flood Relief Efforts through Vaseela e Raah in pictures:
“I Don’t Want Food, I Just Want A Tent For My Daughters” – Pakistan Flood Relief Stories
Stories from Flood Affected Areas of Sehwan Shareef & Dadu – Watch Now
