Bruce Wayne Supports Thaakat Foundation

In the last year we started seeing donations come in from a person named “Bruce Wayne,” though I pondered for a moment I thought, nah, its totally possible for that to really be someone’s name.

Then I started seeing donations popping up from Bruce Wayne on different campaign pages for Thaakat. When I emailed him to find out where I could mail a thank you package, he emailed me back–

“If you could donate a small sized Jersey Strong shirt instead to a homeless shelter in New York I would appreciate it”

What a kind gentleman. With candor he continues to be a beam of support that flickers in the night. He continues to be our Thaakat.

Over the last year he has donated almost $400 to the cause. Bruce, whoever you are and wherever you are, thank you.

Volunteer With Us!

We Are Bananas for Aydin- URGENT APPEAL

Nabiha and Aydin at his birthday party.

This year, Thaakat Foundation launched a campaign called ‘Break the Silence‘- the goal being to bring awareness to the increasing instance of violence against women worldwide. As a pledge to this, we had vowed to find people and causes that we could empower- specifically women.

Recently we had the opportunity to cross paths with Nabiha Shaikh. Here is Nabiha’s story

“My name is Nabiha Shaikh, I have a four year old son named Aydin. Since he was born Aydin and I have been attending school at Baylor University. He’s a brilliant child, full of energy and spunk. He can talk about any and every subject as if he was a college grad himself. Four years ago when I had Aydin as a senior in High School, I would have never imagined achieving everything that I have thus far. With Aydin by my side I was able to receive an Air Force ROTC scholarship, become Vice President of my sorority, President of my school’s Model Arab League and work two jobs to build up my resume. I can’t say it was an easy journey. We left an abusive relationship behind and still have connections to it. Now, four years later, Aydin’s father wishes to gain full custody of him and I am left fighting a custody battle in my last semester of college. Having already racked up thousands of dollars of debt from lawyers fees I am in desperate need of financial assistance. The only hope I have of keeping my son with me is to get a lawyer that can represent me in court.”

We met Nabiha when we came across her fundraising page ” I’m Bananas for Aydin” on Facebook. For the last few months, Nabiha has been attempting to sell handmade loaves of banana bread to raise money to cover her monthly expenses as well as court fees.

These are Nabiha’s monthly expenses. If you would be willing to donate to cover any it would be SO APPRECIATED. If not, any amount is appreciated, there is no such thing as a small donation. [PLEASE DONATE HERE]

Rent:$466.00
Car Payment: $270.00
Car Insurrance: $150.00
Electricity: $100.00
Water: $50.00
Daycare: $250.00
Gas:$100.00
Food/Tolietries/Misc: $100

MORE IMPORTANTLY, if you know of a lawyer in the WACO, TX area that can help her, please contact us at thaakat@gmail.com immediately.

Nabiha plans to graduate in May and we need all the help we can get. If you would be willing to launch a crowdrise page to support her, well..that would be just awesome. Currently, we have reached just 7% of our donation goal and NEED all of the help we can get. Nabiha is graduating THIS month.

The Thaakat Insider l April 2013

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Congratulations to Sumaira Khalid, An Exceptional Woman!

International Women’s Day is annually held on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. In honor of this day we launched a contest for folks to nominate a woman who works hard to give back to our communities. The top 3 nominees, chosen by our guest panel, received $100 to donate to their charity of choice and a Break the Silence shirt. We are excited to share their inspiring stories.

 

Sumaira Khalid was nominated  by Hajera Azam. Sumaira is an elementary education teacher and through this opportunity has become inspiration and mentor to many people throughout her life.

 

What helped you to decide your career path in life?

I think in some way I always knew I would be some kind of teacher.  My grandmother, mother, and aunts were and some still are involved in education.  I remember playing school in the yard with the neighbors when I was young, and I always seemed to be the designated babysitter growing up.  I also was lucky to be given many opportunities to work with kids in summer camp programs and pre-school settings.  I think this profession sort of picked me, as it just came easy and everything just fell into place.  I started in high school volunteering after-school and in the summer, and have been teaching ever since! 

 

At what point (or experience) in your life did you feel that it was important to give back to your community?

It is always important to give back to your community in any way that you can.  I don’t think there was any one experience or moment that occurred which influenced that for me.  It’s one of things where you don’t realize what you’re doing is important or making a difference until a child or his/her parents you taught, say, 10 years ago, comes up to you and tells you what a difference you made in their life.  I have been teaching at my school for 14 years now and luckily am still in touch with many families, some of which I now call friends, and it is so gratifying to see those once 5 year old little ones to what they have become now.  I also enjoy seeing that growth in my three nephews.  I try to influence them in any way I can, because one day, they too will be influencing their community.  

 

In the same regard, with this race I am doing later this month, it benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), and the team that I am training with have a “mission moment” at the beginning of each session.  Someone tells us about a loved one or themselves that is battling a blood cancer and it makes us all come together and realize that there is a bigger race out there.  We never know how or what we do will affect others, but we can make sure we affect them in a positive way.  

 

You are one of our inspiring women, but who was or has been an inspiring woman for you?

There are so many inspiring women out there.  Like I mentioned earlier, my grandmother, mother, and aunts have influenced my route to education for sure.  They also are strong women and clearly led their children and families to become leaders in some way.  We all have our own personal spin on it of course, but we all know where we get it from – which parent, aunt, uncle, or grandparent.   Also, I have to mention the many strong women I have met through my work.  Most of these women work full time, demanding jobs and are able to balance an amazing family life.  I can see it in the kids I have had the privilege to encounter everyday in my classroom for years.  I try to take a little bit from all these women and adapt it in the way I teach, think, and treat others.  

 

Why do you feel it is important to SPEAK UP against violence against women?

It is so important to speak up against violence against women for so many reasons.  First of all it is sad that in 2013 we are even discussing this.  It seems that in news reports every so often we heard about violent acts against women and children being committed here and around the world….still.  But for those many women being abused, there are just as many, if not more, speaking up and fighting for them.  We also see that in news reports all over the world, and that is step in the right direction.  It isn’t easy by any means, but it’s happening.  

 

I thank you for the honor of being chosen one of many Exceptional Women….I couldn’t have done it without the women (and children) in my life.

 

To donate to Sumaira’s fundraising page for the LLS, Please click HERE

 

 

Congratulations to Dr. Zafar, An Exceptional Woman

International Women’s Day is annually held on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. In honor of this day we launched a contest for folks to nominate a woman who works hard to give back to our communities. The top 3 nominees, chosen by our guest panel, received $100 to donate to their charity of choice and a Break the Silence shirt. We are excited to share their inspiring stories.

Dr. Aisha Zafar was nominated by Dr. Shahid Yousuf of APPNA. It was the breadth of work that she has done for her local and global communities that really highlighted her as a winner. Despite having her own practice, Dr. Zafar continues to lead charitable projects and bring light to issues that others remain silent on. Congratulations Dr. Zafar, we are so proud of you.

 

How did you know what career path you wanted to pursue?

Both of my parents were doctors, they didn’t have a lot of females in the medical profession in Pakistan where I grew up. My parents felt this was the best possible field for me and I kind of went in that direction knowing that this is what they wanted for me.

What experience was it that helped you to realize you wanted to serve people in need?

Once I got into medical school in King Edward in Lahore, there was no system of a blood bank and there was always a shortage. A group of students got together and formed a blood bank and asked people to donate blood. It was really the first thing in my life that got me into charity. When I got married and came to the USA, I was so busy with work that I didn’t have time to pursue this passion of mine. Once I finished my training I was so involved in my practice and became overwhelmingly busy in this. But once I had more time I became involved in APPNA I experienced the earthquakes of Pakistan in 2005. I joined the social welfare committee to help. A lot of people lost their limbs and we had a lot of people that needed help. It was one project after another and soon I got involved in the Citizens Foundation. I also was involved in an eye camp in Pakistan through LRBT (it’s a hospital system based in Pakistan that works from charity and they have a branch that helps with restorative eyecare). Through LRBT I was able to organize 12 restorative eyecare camps.  Charity became something that was naturally a part of my life and I enjoyed giving back my service.

In the past I have worked with a shelter for women in Indianapolis. I got involved here and realized that it was not just Muslim women in trouble; it was victims of human trafficking that had come from India, Nepal and many areas of South Asia. I am also working with an organization that raises money for refugee camps in Bangladesh. I recently started scholarship funds for deserving students. I also started post graduate scholarship funds to help students with their residency interview and travel.

Is there a woman that inspires you?

My mother is a physican as well and she was my inspiration for me. I was very lucky because I lived a very comfortable life. My mother came from a very conservative family, she was the first female in our family that went through college and medical school. My mother was the first woman to do a Phd in pharmacology overseas from Pakistan. She was the one who always told me that I needed to be financially independent and that I needed to study. I really didn’t have the need when I was younger because I had a very nice life. She got us to the point where she said you have to be independent no matter what you do. I realize now how important this is now. It gives me confidence to be able to help others and to have my own career.

Why do you feel like it’s important to SPEAK UP?

When I was asked to join the shelter I help at in Indianapolis, it was because they wanted me to raise some funds. When I went there I was amazed at the number of women from South Asia and the Middle East. When I talked to the different communities, and asked people to do something about it the men and especially the women would say, “Don’t talk about it- it will bring a bad name to the community.” What we don’t realize is that we are essentially destroying the women who were dealing with something like this and also the children. The sons grow up to be abusive because this is what they see growing up and the daughters grow up expecting that this is how they will have to live. I used to do fundraising and I had a hard time getting people to contribute at first but finally a lot more people have been coming to light. Living in this country, this is the least we can do. It is not the lack of response from the men that bothers me so much but it is when the women refuse to acknowledge there is a problem, that it really bothers me.

What can youth do to help bring a voice to this issue?

I think as youth we need to address the issue. You will find women of your own decent and you need to support these women so that they can become financially independent. They need to learn how to speak and drive and learn the language. They need to have a place to go to. We need a better network so that women can connect with resources that are here. We helped a woman that we had come across and we helped her do a course to become an ultrasound technician. She eventually went back to her husband but it has improved her relationship and she has the confidence now to support herself.

Dr. Aisha Zafar chose to donate her $100 gift to Thaakat Foundation in support of our ‘Break the Silence’ Campaign.

 Read more about the contest Nominate an Exceptional Woman

I would like to…

I would like to take a moment to recognize Ayesha Lodhia, President and founder at Thaakat Atlanta. Ayesha was nominated for our “Nominate an Exceptional Woman” campaign and I can attest to the fact that she is EXCEPTIONAL. She has set standards at Thaakat- from leading the MVP of all fundraising teams in their inaugural year, to creating their own annual report and blog, launching the most diverse group on campus, committing to the most volunteer hours over a semester, to really leading with her heart. Unfortunately, Thaakat folks were exempt from an official win, though she won me over long ago!

Over the last few years with Thaakat, she has been an inspiration to me and to others. She has shown what the fruits of hard work can be and has brought to life the words- that nothing is impossible.

Thank you Ayesha for all you do as a team mate and for all you are as a person. Ayesha is GOOD for Life.

Much Love,

Uzma Bawany
Executive Director@Thaakat

Our Guest Panel Speaks UP!

In honor of International Women’s Day we launched a contest for folks to nominate an exceptional woman who works hard to give back to our communities and/or goodwill. The top 3 nominees will receive a $100 contribution towards a charity of their choice and a Break the Silence shirt. Their story will also be featured on our blog.

We have 4 guest panelists who are currently judging the heartfelt nominations and can’t wait to reveal our winners!

We did however want to shed some light on our very humble panelists who wanted to eagerly help the cause. See below on why each of them feels its important to SPEAK UP against violence against women.

Lak Rana: Actor, Writer, Producer and Director. Recently featured in Grey’s Anatomy and Castle.

What Lak had to say about the campaign:
Lak was a huge supporter of our campaign from the moment we contacted him. Recently having taken a trip to India during the time of when news of the Delhi gang rape came to light, he felt disheartened and wanted to be a voice. “To end violence against women, we must first believe we can create change as individuals.  Every voice does matter.”

Albert Chan: Manager of Shelter Operations, New York Women’s Asian Center

What Albert had to say: Albert works day and out at NYWAC with the women and children who are affected most. He rises to the occaision to do whatever he can to bring a smile to their faces. Every year we work with Albert and his team to uplift the peace garden they have at the center’s backyard. NYWAC supports these women, whether it be standing with them at the steps of city hall to demand justice or to help them find a voice of courage. “Because domestic violence is viewed as a private family matter, some ethnic communities are often silent in response to abuse. This perception ends up condoning violence and discouraging women from speaking out or seeking escape. When some of the victims do try to seek help, they are often punished with blame, stigma and shame. With a shared understanding of the nuances of domestic violence in our culture, we are the advocates for the victims and this will send a clear message that violence against their mothers, sisters and daughters will not be tolerated. We will inform the survivors of their rights and the available assistance and encourage them to seek help.”

Paiy Hans: International Model and showstopper, to be taking the runway in Italy later this year.

What Paiy had to say about the campaign:
As a young girl I had once heard my father recite a verse from the Guru Granth Sahib, it said…
“From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad or disrespect her? From her, kings are born. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all.— Guru Nanak,

“500 years later, We see women suffer, having two daughters of my own I set examples for them as a role model in women empowerment. I would like to see more respect for women considering the huge role they play from a Stay at home Mom, to a Soldier, Doctor, Explorer, a Hero, an Entrepreneur and so on.  Women struggle and suffer pain to ensure the continuation of the human race and have in the past decades proven to be tougher and courageous soldiers in all aspects of life. Women should be celebrated, respected, honored and commemorated.”

Abir Salim: Great thaakat friend and avid supporter of Break the Silence

What Abir had to say: Abir has been a huge supporter of our campaign since its launch. In the last year she’s donated luxurious pieces of her jewelry line REMIII to help us raise funds for Break the Silence. Abir has been a go to gal anytime we’ve needed her  advise on how to build this campaign from the ground up.

An Interview with Kellie Jo Holly

Who is Kellie Jo?

I am Kellie Jo Holly, creator of the site “Verbal Abuse Journals” and author of My Abusive Marriage…and what i’m doing in it. When I left my abuse-ridden marriage, I had no money, no job, and no insurance. By the grace of God, I found people to help me solve all three problems…eventually.

Kellie Jo, how did You SPEAK UP?

I fell into advocating against domestic violence. The police had threatened my husband with a taser but they had nothing to arrest him on. I had to leave, I had to make that decision to go. When I left and was thinking about things, I realized that there is no way I can write on my blog tomorrow. I was open and honest about my relationship on my blog, the “Verbal Abuse Journals”. I realized that night that if I go back and write on my blog, I did NOTHING, I am responsible for these other women in these relationships who are watching me to see what I do. That sparked me to continue the advocacy. It was tough to leave and if it wasn’t for a few little magical events that happened I might have had to go back to him.

What is the purpose of the “Verbal Abuse Journals”?

I started the website for a safe place for me to keep information. I was learning and wanted to write down what happened. The abuser often times tries to tell the victim that “it didn’t happen.” I started to feel like I was losing my mind. I started a blog and the idea was just to write things down as they happened and I knew he couldn’t get it to it to destroy it. Even if he broke my computer, it was still online. I was surprised when I saw people following my blog. Some people were currently in abusive relationships, some were out and encouraging me.

When did you realize you were being abused?

Even though I talked to my sister about these things and my mom during my marriage, I didn’t understand I was being abused until about 15 months before I left. I thought we had marriage problems, I thought that it was his alcohol, I didn’t comprehend that I was being abused. When that realization hit me, everything started making sense. There is an education that people are missing there. People say things like “it takes two” and we don’t understand that being hit means the same thing as being “abused”.

Were there times when you wondered WHY?

If you are verbally mean to someone you can learn to control that, at least that’s what I thought. I know that if I hurt someone’s feelings I didn’t have to do that. I tried to explain this to him and asked him to be polite, I thought that would work. It turned out that this was not just about him being polite it was his way of controlling me.

What is the best advice you have for those that want to leave?

There is one statement that helps me 100% — Make a plan and get out. After I figured out it was abuse that I was dealing with and I made my appointment at the department of social services I was sitting and talking to the counselor. She was validating that my experience was abusive and panic set in. The counselor told me to slow down. She said to think about what I wanted to do and to make a plan. My husband was more verbally violent than anything and I was dealing with him for 17 years , I felt like I could make it another 6 months, I just needed to figure out what I needed to do to stand on my own. I don’t advise women to stay but I do advise them to think about what the next step will be.

What are your thoughts on setting boundaries?

What are the rules for the way people treat you? If you don’t allow people to call you names, why are you allowing your partner to? Are you doing what you need to in order to protect yourself? You need to form those boundaries to empower yourself. It’s not about arguing with the abuser ; this is reactive. You need to set boundaries to keep these arguments from happening. You need to help yourself realize that you are too good for this.

If you had an “ASK” for the general public what would it be?

I would ask them to read a book about domestic violence and educate themselves on the symptoms that the victims experience. If you have no idea of what abuse is, you can’t help yourself. Also if you have friends that are going through it, it is frustrating to deal with them because they want out and they want back and it’s difficult to help them. Help them find the first step but don’t try to save them, THEY NEED TO FIX IT. (see my page on “how to help a domestic abuse victim”). Advise them to call a hotline and give them the information they need.

What is the “Emergency Fund”?

Smaller cities don’t offer counseling for women that have left abusive relationships. I couldn’t afford counseling and I needed it. I’m trying to do something to help these women ( and/or men) that need it through the emergency fund. The goal is to financially aid domestic abuse survivors who left their abusers. The charity will support payments:
-   to counselors specializing in post-abuse therapy and
-   to cost of living expenses for up to 6 months after leaving the abuser (i.e. rent/deposit, utilities, vehicle expenses related to attending therapy and domestic violence groups, etc.)

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Nominate an Exceptional Woman Today!

International Women’s Day is annually held on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.

In honor of this day we are accepting nominations for an exceptional woman who works hard to give back to our communities and/or goodwill. The top 3 nominees will receive a $100 contribution towards a charity of their choice and a Break the Silence shirt. Their story will also be featured on our blog.

Thank you to our corporate contributors for helping to make this possible.

Please NOMINATE now through March 17, 2013!