Create a society
where the transgendered are treated as equal citizens without prejudice
or discrimination.
Mission
To alleviate poverty the plight of the transgendered by building a support
system using Zakat funds that empowers them socially, emotionally and
economically.
In line with Akhuwat’s main vision of creating
a poverty free society built on the principles of compassion and equity,
the organization has launched a special initiative with Fountain House
for a very special subgroup of society – the transgenders or khwaja siras
of Pakistan.
The khwaja sira community is arguably the most disadvantaged group in
Pakistan, suffering exclusion in the spaces of social and cultural life;
economy; and politics and decision-making processes, yet, it is also the
most neglected in terms of social interventions.
Drawing on the principles of social justice and brotherhood,
Akhuwat strives to empower the transgendered by building a
support system using Zakat funds. The program has several intended
stages, starting with social engagement and provision of a small income
supplement (Rs.1000) to the most vulnerable. In its final form, Akhuwat
and Fountain House hopes to be able to reintegrate the khwaja siras it
works with back into society as equal citizens. The intended program
stages are as follows:
Zakat donations for this initiative may be sent to the following bank account:
Account Title: Akhuwat Takaful Pool
Account Number: 0222-03600000079
Bank Name: Meezan Bank Limited
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
The first stage of the program is to reach out to the khwaja sira community in order to better understand
the unique culture, ideas, emotions, and social make-up of this unique subgroup. With this objective,
Akhuwat aims to register at least five hundred transgendered individuals by the end of the first quarter of
2012.
Due to difficult access to transgendered individuals, Akhuwat has adopted a peer-based outreach
technique for socially engaging khwaja siras. After making an initial effort to build connections within
the transgendered community, the program now relies on registered khwaja siras to bring more members
of their community to Akhuwat. As an incentive, a small referral bonus is given if a referred individual
meets our criteria of vulnerability. Transportation allowance and lunch is also given to interviewees.
Interviews, preliminary screening and registration are done at Fountain House by a team of trained
psychologists on a rolling basis.
INCOME SUPPORT
In the second stage, vulnerable transgendered individuals are identified on the basis of seniority in age,
economic isolation, and lack of access to social networks and registered for a small monthly stipend of
PKR 1,000. An additional hundred rupees is provided to cover transport costs of stipend collection.
This stipend, which serves as a gesture of amity, is allocated from Zakat contributions and imposes no
restrictions on its use. It is provided with the intention of bringing some economic relief and happiness
to a subgroup of this marginalised community that can no longer even afford basic human requirements
such as clean undergarments, hygiene products, etc. On a broader level, Akhuwat hopes to use this
monthly stipend to build a relationship with this group for the next stage of interventions.
MENTORING / EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Akhuwat’s main interest in establishing an income support mechanism for the transgendered is to be able to create a social support network, where such individuals can feel part of a collective, have an opportunity to share their burdens and distress, and be treated with compassion. In essence, Akhuwat aims to reinforce their self esteem, emotional support, mentoring and advice.. For this purpose, the facilities of Fountain House are used, where each month on the 15th, a half-day long event is organised to disburse funds. On this day, attending khwaja siras are provided mentoring on a wide range of topics including health, ethics and religion, entertainment, gifts and lunch.
HEALTH SERVICING
One component of the social support net created for khwaja siras will be the provision of basic healthcare. Under this programme,
registered khwaja siras will be provided free medical check-up facility, treatment of chronic illness, and free diagnostic facilities and
medicines. Transgendered individuals will also be given access to free medical outdoor for addressing day-to-day medical problems.
In addition to primary healthcare, if khwaja siras require indoors facilities or hospitalisation, they will be linked with an appropriate
public or private institution for sustainable treatment. During each month’s funds disbursal event, qualified professional will provide
guidance to attending khwaja siras on the prevention of disease, with a special focus on hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and other sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs). Lectures will also be given on hygiene, nutrition, and other important health-related topics.
Since mental health is an extremely important area of concern in khwaja siras, psychologists and psychiatrists available at Fountain
House have been made available on a regular basis for this programme. These professionals will be responsible for dealing with their
emotional distress, depression and other psychological disorders.
ECONOMIC REHABILITATION
Akhuwat’s major intervention is provision of microfinance or karz-e-hasna facility to the poor and needy. The organisation does not
believe in doles and charity. Rather, it inspires the poor to start a business of their own and help themselves to come out of poverty,
without compromising on their self-respect and honour.
Keeping the same principles in mind, Akhuwat has made a comprehensive plan to encourage khwaja siras to take loans and establish
businesses of their own. The financial access provided by Akhuwat will give them an opportunity to earn their livelihood without
resorting to charity. Initially, three khwaja siras have been provided with this loan facility. They are now running successful
businesses. Gradually all those registered under this program will be guided and motivated to start small businesses – individually or
in partnership with one another. This financial infusion will open new windows of opportunity for this extremely marginalised group.
Akhuwat’s small loans programme to the khwaja siras is a unique intervention and has not been practiced elsewhere in Pakistan.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC REINTEGRATION
All interventions being executed under this programme have been designed with the purpose of helping transgendered establish
themselves in society as equal citizens, who are treated without prejudice or discrimination.
The major contributor to the plight of khwaja siras, in addition to societal bias against their gender, is their economic dependence on
others. This dependence, which usually come about due to missed childhood opportunities (such as schooling, skills training, social
interaction, etc), forces khwaja siras to take up economic means that degrade their self worth, and be stigmatised. By immersing
khwaja siras in an environment that accords them respect, compassion and love, as well as economically establishing them on their
own feet, Akhuwat hopes to restore their self esteem. By demonstrating that khwaja siras can function as fully contributing member of
society given they are provided opportunities, Akhuwat hopes to initiate a bigger change that will allow people to be more accepting
towards them and remove a bias that exists due to no fault of their own.
::
Our Board of Directors,
whose persistent efforts
have made Akhuwat a
success story.
Primarily, Akhuwat is dependent
on donors to meet its
financial obligations, some of
our major supporters are listed
in our team section.
If you like our model, we
invite you to replicate it,
join us in this philanthropic
venture.
Take a look at how Akhuwat
has influenced people's life
through micro finance.
