Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation

Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation is a Charitable, non-profit organization run by several board members and staff, on a gratis basis. It is a trust that operates as an entity in its own right. It is both non-profit as well as non-partisan. The Primary focus areas are Healthcare, Education, Sustainable Development through Social Enterprises and Emergency Relief.

History

The foundation was established on January 9, 2003. Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation is a non-profit charitable foundation based in Pakistan. The Foundation was established by Mr. Jahangir Siddiqui, an entrepreneur, and his wife Mahvash Siddiqui. The Foundation is a major donor to philanthropic causes in Pakistan.

Partners

The foundation has partnered with internationally known organizations that share the same concerns and a common motive, vision, and mission. These include:

• The United Nations (UN)
• Provincial Disaster Management Authority Sindh
• JS Bank
• National University of Singapore
• Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar
• UN Habitat for Humanity
• World Food Program (WFP)

Programs

Education

Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation is involved in various educational projects and running schools in rural areas for handicapped and special children too. The Foundation is focused on supporting:

• Higher Education University Grants
• School for Disabled Children
• Mainstream Education
• Vocational Training

Higher Education University Grants

Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation have granted funds to LUMS (School of Science and Engineering), Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL) and Institute of Business Administration, University of Karachi (IBA) for institutional development.

JS Academy for the Deaf

JS Academy for the Deaf has been operational since 2004. It is a specialized school in Karachi for deaf and hearing impaired children to read, write and communicate effectively. It has 165 students of which 18 students are from other cities of rural Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa province.

Summer Program in National University of Singapore

Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation and Sajjad Foundation (a charitable foundation based in Singapore) provides 14 annual scholarships for a summer program in entrepreneurship at the National University of Singapore for Pakistani university students. The students are selected after a rigorous national merit competition. The program completed its fifth year in 2012 with 58 universities participating from different cities of Pakistan, 18 students were selected for this program this year. The Nation (5 July 2012) said that Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation and Sajjad Foundation (Singapore) sponsor students for a Summer Program in National University of Singapore (NUS). The NUS Summer Program focus upon Economic and Enterprise Development. This program hosts undergraduate students from universities in various parts of the world and is an opportunity for participants to learn AbOUT Singapore.

Health program at Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar

Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation sponsors students for the Global and Public Health program at Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar. This is a four weeks medical program being held at the Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar. This is the first year of this program. This program will help students to learn about the latest research being undertaken in the field of improving Global and Public health, success of the Qatar health policies and how this nation in the Middle East transformed itself into a modern city-state with excellent health facilities to cater to the needs of its citizens.

Lahore University of Management Sciences

Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation granted PKR 30 million (approximately US$ 500,000) to LUMS to build the Jahangir Siddiqui Hostel, a dormitory for male students as part of the development of the School of Science and Engineering at LUMS.

Vocational Training

Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation with the Public Private Partnership Unit of the Planning & Development Department, Government of Sindh has opened a Vocational Center at the FIF School Mirwah Gorchani.

Health Care

Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation participates in making donations to the health sector through their Zakat Fund and are considered as one of the largest donors with continuous annual commitment to a number of large hospitals. Zakat Funds are used for the most underprivileged patients at these hospitals who cannot afford healthcare. It supports a lot of big hospitals like NICVD and Karachi National Hospital along with others.

The Cardiovascular Foundation

The National Institute of Cardiovascular diseases (NICVD) has added 30 bed to its cardiac emergency ward. Cost of this project was 15 million rupees. Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation contributed Rs.11 million for the cause.

Karachi National Hospital

The foundation built a fistula unit at the Karachi National Hospital in 2008 with many patients having been treated to date. Operating costs are estimated between Rs. 350,000 to 380,000 per patient. All the deserving patients are treated free of charge under this program and have access to the reputable urologists and gynecologists of Pakistan. Following are some other programs which have been contributed and served by Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui foundation:

• Patients’ Behbud Society for the Aga Khan University Hospital
• The Medical Aid Foundation
• Burhani Blood Bank and Thalessaemia Centre

Social Enterprise and Sustainable Development

Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation have commitments to various foundations and are involved in the active development of the community through different projects. Grants create dependency and to alleviate poverty, the ultimate solutions are the projects that are economically productive and sustainable. Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui foundation have a 5-year commitment to the Acumen Fund in Pakistan, which is an affiliate of the Acumen Fund, a leading global sustainable development organization. In Pakistan, the Acumen Fund has been responsible in providing support and capital to organizations such as Kashf Foundation and Khuda ki Basti.

Acumen Fund

The Foundation has granted US$1 million to the Acumen Fund. The Acumen Fund is a non-profit global venture capital fund founded in 2001 to address the issue of global poverty by investing in companies that bring critical goods and services to the poor.

Acumen Fund has been investing in Pakistan since 2001 in companies such as:

• Kashf, a leading microfinance organization based in Punjab province
• Saiban, a low-income housing development organization with housing communities in Karachi and Lahore
• Micro Drip, a drip irrigation solution company working with the poorest farmers in the Thar Desert in Sindh Province

Kashf Microfinance Bank

The Foundation has invested into Kashf Holdings, the parent company of Kashf Microfinance Bank with co-investors Grameen Foundation, Acumen Fund and Amar Foundation. The Foundation holds a 4.6% stake in Kashf Holdings. Kashf Microfinance Bank is an affiliate of Kashf, Pakistan’s second largest microfinance organization which has over 300,000 women as microfinance borrowers. Kashf operates throughout Punjab province.

Emergency Relief

Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation has made some extensive contributions for humanitarian relief during three previous national disasters; Kashmir Earthquake in 2005, Internally Displaced Persons Crisis in 2008 and the 2010 super floods.

2005 Earthquake

On October 8, 2005, the Himalayas were severely jolted by a massive earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale (USGS). The devastation was widespread in the mountainous area of Pakistan. Spearheading the domestic support and immediately mobilized, the Foundation was one of the organizations that provided rescue, relief and rehabilitation to the distressed by mobilizing itself within 4 days of the catastrophe.

It had a focused approach and it provided support in the following key areas:

1. Immediate relief operations
2. Rapid rebuilding of peoples livelihoods
3. Focus on most vulnerable and socially disadvantaged groups, such as children, women, disabled and the elderly
4. Encourage engagement of the private sector and civil society and fundraising for various relief organizations

2008 Swat Conflict- IDP (Internally Displaced Persons)

In October 2008, following the operation by the Pakistan Army to flush out Islamic extremists from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Swat, large areas of dense population center of the province were evacuated.

M&JS Foundation’s response was immediate. The Foundation provided large scale aid in the form of both Food Aid and Non-food Aid, transportation of IDPs out of the conflict zones, and supporting IDPs in their return to their homes. M&JS Foundation supported the following areas:

1. Logistics
2. Health
3. Food Aid
4. Rehabilitation

While the foundation disengaged from this relief effort at the end of 2008, hundreds of thousands of IDPs still live in camps run by the United Nations or with relatives as the military engagement is ongoing.

Flood Relief Campaign 2010

Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation were actively involved in providing food aid in the different areas of the country. After certifying that a displaced person is indeed from an impacted flooded area, food aid would be delivered within 24 hours. Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation had initially set up camps in Southern Punjab (Rajanpur District) and Upper Sindh (Kashmore, Shikarpur, Khairpur districts) which provided shelter, food aid, water and healthcare to approximately 10,000 people. The Sehwan Sharif refugee camp was established on 30 September 2010. The need had risen due to the mass exodus of people from the flooded areas. They were also providing mobile medical services (doctors in a van) that go to camps in Central Sindh and had built a major mobile medical service in Thatta District and were also providing medicines to various healthcare facilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces.

United for a Cause’ Conference – Establishment of a Corporate Secretariat

United Nations (UN), Provincial Disaster Management Authority Sindh (PDMA), International Organization for Migration (IOM), JS Bank and Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation (MJSF) held a joint Conference at Mohatta Palace Museum focusing on developing coordinated strategies to address humanitarian needs of flood hit communities.

Flood Relief Campaign 2011

The current flash floods unleashed by heavy monsoon rains. Death toll raised up to 342 people and injured over 630 in month of September, majority of them were in the province of Sindh. The floods have now affected over 7 million people and destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes across Sindh. 22 out of 23 districts of Sindh have been badly affected. More than 70% of the homes in villages and 30% in urban areas of Badin and Mirpurkhas have caved in, while the district has lost 70% of its crops. Starvation, disease and weakness are widespread and the threat of infections is becoming increasingly intense. Amongst this diarrhea, malaria and water borne diseases are the highest. There is a dire need to minimize the damage which is currently being caused by the lack of basic healthcare and amenities. The primary area of focus of the foundation is to provide food, water and medicine to all those affected.

Phase I

To extend care and support to the families displaced due to the recent flood in Sindh, Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation and JS Bank sent out its health team comprising doctors, para-medical staff, dispensers and helpers along with its fleet of ambulances and food rations for more than 3,000 families, to provide assistance to the affectees. To date, medical attention to 10,229 patients along with food rations, water and basic medical supplies have been provided to an estimated 17,500 people in the affected areas which should last them for a period of 8–10 days. The areas that were covered in the initial phase from 3 September to 12 September included Badin, Mirpurkhas, Thatta, Tando Mohammed Khan, Tando Allahyar and Mithi and the next phase will cover the areas of Sanghar, Nawabshah, Dadu and Khairpur districts.

Phase II

Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation and JS Bank supported the distribution of medicines and medically treated 22,134 patients from September 20, 2011 to October 3, 2011 in districts of Badin, Sanghar, Nawabshah, Dadu and Khairpur districts as part of their Phase 2 of the flood relief campaign. The areas that were covered in phase 1 included Badin, Mirpurkhas, Thatta, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar and Mithi.

Phase III

Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation and JS Bank supported the distribution of medicines and medically treated 25,976 patients from October 14, 2011 to October, 28 2011 in the districts of Badin, Mirpurkhas, Thar, Tando Muhammad Khan and Tando Allahyar.

Wheelchair Distribution

Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation in collaboration with US Based Walkabout Foundation and assisted by Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP), UNHCR and other NGO’s across the country distributed 300 specially customized wheelchairs to the flood affectees as part of its initial phase at a local hotel in Islamabad. To mark this occasion, Mr. Richard E. Hoagland, Deputy Chief Mission - US Embassy Islamabad, Ms. Carolina Bunster, CEO -Walkabout Foundation and Mr. Ali J. Siddiqui, CEO - Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation, Mr. Ali Munir – a UK based Pakistani investor and entrepreneur, and many other notable dignitaries were present and spoke regarding the initiative. Ms Carolina Bunster, CEO Walkabout Foundation noted, “A staggering 6 million people are living with paralysis in the United States, which is approximately 2% of the population. This number translates to nearly 1 in 50 people, which means that everyone is ONE degree of separation away from paralysis. Additionally, there are 100 million people in the world that need wheelchair but cannot afford one and up to 6% of the population of most developing countries need a wheelchair but cannot afford one. Since inception, Walkabout Foundation has donated over 1,500 wheelchairs to people in countries such as Haiti, Dominican Republic, Rwanda, Malawi and Chile. It is Walkabout Foundation's first time in Pakistan, but these 300 wheelchairs, which are donated and delivered in conjunction with the Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation, is part of a larger project to collectively donate thousands of wheelchairs in the next few years to come”.

Acumen fund - Pakistan fellows program

Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation believes that the path to a better society comes from investing in its leaders. In doing its part to contributing to a better Pakistan, JS Bank and Acumen fund are the pioneer sponsors of this unique and innovative program. The Acumen fund Pakistan Fellows program is designed to bring together up to 20 leaders at a one year leadership development program for people who are leading at social change initiative from different regions, sectors and socio-economic background dedicated to addressing Pakistan’s most critical social problem. The foundation has approved a grant of $500,000 for this initiative.

Acumen Fund and MJSF Host Selection Conference for Pakistan Fellows Program

Acumen Fund, a pioneering nonprofit global venture firm addressing poverty across Africa and in South Asia, held a selection conference on November 30, 2012 in Karachi as part of the process to identify the inaugural class of Pakistan Fellows. In partnership with JS Bank, Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation and the Edmond de Rothschild Foundations, Acumen is working to develop the next generation of social change leaders who are building innovative businesses and strong institutions across Pakistan. This new program is designed to support a new generation of Pakistani leaders who see opportunities where others see only challenges. The year-long program consists of four multiday seminars and two collaborative projects – a regional trip and an innovation conference. The seminars will give Fellows access to world-class speakers, trainers, and mentors who allow Fellows to deepen their skills in leadership, social change, and innovation. The Fellows also have the opportunity to travel within Pakistan to broaden their understanding of social change models. The innovation conference is meant to be a chance for Fellows to put into practice their new skills, as well as provide a platform to showcase their projects to a larger community of leaders. Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation and JS Bank believe that the path to a better society comes from investing in its leaders. Keeping in view the enthusiasm shown by the number of excellent applications received, it shows the hunger and the desire among the many talented people of this nation to seek ways to improve the prevailing conditions and challenge the existing status quo. Pakistan Fellows Program will pave the road to a brighter future of this country by providing the tools and the knowledge required to develop the new generation of Pakistani leaders.

See also

• JS Bank
• JS Group

External links

• "The MJSF Official Website 1"
• "The JS Academy Official Website 2"
• "The Finance Salon 3"
• "The JS Group Official Website 4"
• "The Daily Times Official Website 5"
• The Docstoc 6"
• "The MJSF Official Website 7"
• "The Allianz Website Blog 8"
• "United Nations Pakistan Blog 9"
• "World Socialist Website 10"
• "E-NewsPaper 11"
• “Charity Vault 12”
• “Business Recorder | 14 October 2011 13”
• “Daily Times Newspaper |15 October 2011 14”
• “The Nation Newspaper | 27 September 2011 15”
• “Acumen Fund Blog 16”
• “Civil and Social Organizations 17”
• “University of Sindh 18”
• “Scribd 19
• “On the Ground 20”
• “Flood Relief Pakistan 21”
• “Life Saver System 22”
• “Digi Planet 23”
• “Acumen Fund 24”
• “Express Tribune 25”