Houston, Texas.- Rotary Books for the World Project, The Second Wind Foundation, and the Hashoo Foundation, and Rotary Club of Islamabad Margalla signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the Rotary Books for the World Booklegger Summit in an effort to join forces to provide needed books to girls and boys in Pakistan. Under this program books, and educational materials, are donated and shipped without charge to participating parties at various locations in the world.
Books are scarce in Pakistan and few adults or children have access to them. Most poor Pakistani children and young adults want to learn English to improve their education and help their families break a vicious cycle of poverty. These books will bring positive changes, hope and encouragement to all who use them.
Cristal Montañéz Baylor, Executive Director Hashoo Foundation USA, Charlie Clemmons, President Second Wind Foundation and Barbara Clemmons, Secretary Second Wind Foundation
The books are a charity donation by USA and Canadian citizens to aid literacy efforts in Pakistan. Second Wind and Rotary Books for the World is the network by which these donations are transferred from the donors to the Hashoo Foundation and the Rotary Club of Islamabad Margalla, who agree to distribute the books to the selected schools and institutions across Pakistan without charge.
According to Cristal Montañéz Baylor, executive director Hashoo Foundation USA, “the books donated by Rotary Books for the World Project will be a great resource for both students and teachers. These books will help promote literacy and education in Pakistan, and at the same time encourage intercultural awareness, collaboration, and understanding. These factors underscore a positive relationship between the US and Pakistan at time when the two countries continue to develop their strategic alliance.”
On April 26, 2011, Rotary Books for the World Project and The Second Wind Foundation shipped a forty-foot ocean freight container filled with approximately 20 tons from the Port of Houston destined to the Hashoo Foundation, and Rotary Club of Islamabad Margalla in Pakistan.
The Second Wind Foundation has the administrative and financial responsibility for the Rotary Books for the World program.
Video Clip Part 1 Link to video Video Clip Part 2 Link to video
Books for the World Booklegger Summit II Hashoo Foundation Presentation
The Books Arrived in Pakistan!! - Update from Hashoo Foundation
Islamabad, Pakistan.- On June 30, the container carrying thousands of books arrived in the Dry Port Islamabad. The Hashoo Foundation team was thrilled to receive the great diversity of books which includes used school books, children’s books for girls and boys of all ages from toddlers through young adults and university textbooks.
Dr. Zahoor, Hasho Foundation Health Manager and member of the Rotary Club of Islamabad Margalla, said “we started sorting and categorizing the books on Friday, July 15, at the Umeed-e-Noor building with the help of 15 volunteers. President, Ex Chairman and Board of Directors members of Rotary Club of Islamabad Margalla visited the site and inspected the books and education material. In the next two weeks, we plan to complete the sorting and make a joint action plan for distribution of books. We will report on the progress of this important program as it develops.”
The books will be distributed among the Hashoo Foundation Educational Programs, including Umeed-e-Noor - a center for girls and boys with multiple disabilities, other schools, institutions, colleges and universities.
“The future of any country lies in the education of its people. Quality education and literacy are greatly valued as the means by which individuals and communities can improve their lives and play an important role in reducing poverty and conflict risk in developing world,” expressed Ali Akbar, Hashoo Foundation Country Director.
Back in Houston
Sunny Sharma, Rotary International District 5890 Governor, congratulated Cristal Montanez of Hashoo Foundation, Rotary Club of Islamabad Margalla, Pakistan, and PDG Charlie Clemmons of Second Wind Foundation for a successful partnership benefiting hundreds of children in Pakistan. Miracles happen when we partner and work together.
According to Charlie Clemmons, "The Second Wind Foundation and the Bookleggers of Rotary Books for the World are very pleased with the trouble free transition of the first container of books sent to the Rotary Club of Islamabad Margalla and the Hashoo Foundation. We look forward to the impact of this 20 tons of primarily math books and to the efforts they will have on the youth of Pakistan. We hope to send another container as soon as the distribution plan for the first container has been executed".
"Literacy is one of the six areas of focus for Rotarians worldwide in bringing world understanding with Goodwill and Peace. “No Preschool children should go to sleep without having parents read a book to them every night”. Let us continue to Build Communities and Bridge Continents as we Reach from Within to Embrace Humanity by making sure that all children of the world have access to books. Please join Hashoo Foundation and Rotarians worldwide to build a better, bolder, and brighter future through Literacy in Pakistan" concluded Sharma.
***Promoting Literacy and Education in Pakistan
Hashoo Foundation has established 13 primary schools throughout Pakistan that offer quality education to 1,563 enrolled students (66% male and 34% female) in very poor areas. These schools are a viable alternative in the absence of public schools in these remote areas.
More than 300 girls and boys with special needs are enrolled in Umeed-e-Noor. Our Youth Development Centers host 347 youth females and males who are getting access to quality education and learning soft skills, and our Human Development Centers provide vocational and professional training to over 8,000 young men and women.
Bahadur Shah, Parent of a Hashoo Foundation’s student in Reyonti, Murree, said, “It is hard to believe that there is still no Government school close to our village. The Hashoo Foundation School is a true blessing for our family, as we watch our kids blossom in this remote area which is still probably, unknown by many.”
Thank you for your continued interest in improving the life of the girls and boys, and young people in Pakistan.
Sincerely,
Cristal
Hashoo Foundation USA Executive Director
cristalmontanez@hashoofoundationusa.org
9575 Katy Freeway Suite 490
Houston, TX 77024
Phone: +1 713 483 4990
www.hashoofoundationusablog.com
About the Partner Organizations
Hashoo Foundation USA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization leading the way in human development and poverty alleviation by implementing viable economic development, educational and capacity building programs. Hashoo Foundation is also focused on the needs of children with disabilities and provides care and support services to unprivileged and vulnerable members of society. http://hashoofoundation.org/
Rotary Club of Islamabad Margalla
http://www.rotarydistrict3272.org/tag/rotary-club-of-islamabad-margalla
The Second Wind Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization which is the financial and management arm of the project. Trucking cost from the donor's site to the warehouse, from the warehouse to the port, the purchase of the containers, and the shipping are all expenses to the project. The project is funded by Second Wind through grants from the Rotary Foundation, donations and private grants-of-aid. Please continue to support this vital effort with your contributions to The Second Wind Foundation. http://www.rotarybooksfortheworld.org/SecondWind.html
Books for the World
The USA effort has spread well beyond Texas in its tenth year. Rotary Clubs in sixteen states have contributed to the project. The number of the shipments over the years has increased from three per year to three per month. February, 2006 saw a dramatic increase in shipping capability when Mclean Cargo Specialists started hosting the shipments. McLean was a professional Freight Forwarder owned by Rotarian Angie Jimenez. Problems with paperwork which had troubled the project from its beginning have been solved by McLean. Mr. Jimenez has sold his business in 2008 and the new owners did not wish to donate their services as Mr. Jimenez did.
The Project is now hosted by Exel Corporation in its La Porte, Texas location. We have learned that a professional warehouse and shipper are necessities for the transport of donations-in-kind. Volunteers are absolutely necessary to make the project work but supervision of loading the containers and processing the paperwork needs to be professionally done. The Rotarians of District 5890 and 5910 have provided a reservoir of volunteer help at repackaging the books for optimum loading and shipping. Click here for information on the preparation of books for shipping. The Rotarians at the Wisconsin and New York collection sites are particularly good at preparing the books for shipment. http://www.rotarybooksfortheworld.org/USA.html
Books for the World Video
The Books for the World Project has distributed books to qualified institutions for over a decade now. More than 6 million books have been distributed.
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