World Blood Donor Day 2013

Thank you.

Thank you to those of you who have voluntarily donated blood to give the gift of life. This June 14th marks the tenth annual World Blood Donor Day, which was begun to create awareness about the need for blood donations.

One donation can save the lives of up to three different people, and through voluntary donations, millions of lives have been saved around the world. In the year 2011, an astounding 83 million voluntary, unpaid blood donations were collected around the world, which is an increase of 8 million from 2004.

Still, there is progress to be made. Only 60 countries in the world are able to sustain their national blood supplies with voluntary blood donations. Forty countries are entirely dependent on family and paid donors. Voluntary donations are key to a sufficient, efficient, and safe supply of blood.

This guy has donated blood 1,000 times and has saved 2,000,000 lives! Can you match that?

Google and Quora Hold Drives On-Site! #gettinginvolved

Reblogged from Make Me Stronger:

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Google and Quora join forces with Asian American Donor Program (AADP) to raise awareness around the severe shortage of  Asians and other minorities in the registry.

Both companies are holding drives this week for 3 patients in urgent need of a bone marrow match. Nina, William and Rajesh. Sharing their stories, hoping to help them find a match in time.

Read more… 130 more words

The National Bone Marrow Registry has less than 5% of minority registrants. That means, as a minority in need of a lifesaving match, you have a 1 in 20,000 chance of finding someone. Thank you Google and Quora for encouraging the conversation on awareness!

SNEAK PEEK: New Partner, New Cause

On our Facebook Page, we gave you a teaser on an upcoming global project we’ll be supporting in Ghana. Here’s a little more about our partner organization to whet your appetite.

Tanobaose, Ghana has seen an influx of people moving into the area. They come to do odd jobs in the community so that they may support their families. Their children usually do not go to school. Clement Opoku Boamah watched this happen, and he had a dream that these children could one day attend a free school. And he strived to make that dream come true. Perhaps that is how he earned the name Righteous.

Righteous began his school with just two kids. Now he has 50. Righteous and the children make the best with what they have. He offers the students rides to the school at six in the morning. Class starts at seven with breakfast and a morning prayer. Righteous teaches his students to read and write English in a small dusty classroom. Konadu Basic School is named after his mother.

Well, what do you think about Righteous’ Cause? Are you on board?

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