The Pakistani American Forum - Merit Grants for Young Women (MGYW)’s 1016 annual fundraising banquet was held recently in Southern California. The program was emceed by Dr. Sana Kamdar, a young emerging leader. The program started with Quranic Recitation by Sadia Khan. Next the Guest of Honor, Artesia Mayor ProTem Ali Sajjad Taj, summarized achievements of MGYW through the years and presented a certificate of recognition for "its exemplary work in the field of female education". The Chief Guests, Pakistan Consul General Jabbar Memon and Dr. Shehla Memon also graced the occasion. During his speech, Consul General Memon commended the role of an organization like MGYW playing a positive role in providing educational opportunities for underprivileged young women of Pakistan and by filling the gap left due to limited government resources. He also mentioned that school education is now the responsibility of the provincial governments, who are making great efforts for more children to attend schools.

 

This followed with the welcome and introduction of two new MGYW Board Members, Dr. Tahira Akram & Zeenat Jangda, and youth coordinator Sadaf Lakhia.The MGYW mission, background, and selected projects were introduced by the Board Members including Tasneem Afzal, Sufia Altaf, Iram Iqbal, Dr. Bina Kamdar, Dr. Farhana Mohamed, and Zille Huma Zaman; Board Member Shaista Khan was unable to attend the event. The projects included setup of the Science Laboratory at Hamida Shaukat Ali Girls School, Haripur Education & Transportation, Sagri District Graduation Incentive, Karachi Gift Pack, PFOWA (Pakistan Foreign Office Women’s Association) Student Scholarships, and Society for Educational Welfare (SEW) Grants. In the entertainment segment, Hanif Noormohamed & the LA Supremes Band enthralled the guests with enchanting vocal performances by Hanif Noormohamed & Azra Malik, with Suresh Kumar on tabla. The program was highly successful due to the efforts put forth by all Board Members. The Board is profoundly grateful to the event sponsors, generous donors, and volunteers.

 

Reported by: Farhana Mohamed
Photos Courtesy: Jason Chauder