"A man who has given up his entire life's saving and retirement period to educate the less privileged children of Pakistan."
Prelude
Times have changed. Education is no longer a privilege, but a right. Pakistan has a literacy rate of 55% according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO) and it stands at 160th all over the world. These are tough times and no nation can prosper without ensuring that every individual, man or woman, child or adult equally benefit from quality education.
Retirement from Military Service - Start of something even better
Wajahat Ahmad retired from his prestigious military career back in 2008 at the rank of a Brigadier General with a heart condition. On retirement, he moved with his family to his farmhouse located on the outskirts of Lahore(Pakistan). However, some people are not made for a quiet living, for just after a few months, he started visiting the local government schools to interact with the students. He was very disappointed and heartbroken over the condition of local schools and instead of complaining, he decided to do something about it himself.
Taking matters into his own hands
Seeing the sorry state of the local government schools, he decided to dedicate the rest of his life to bring about a change in the quality of education, and to ensure that those students who are bright and needy are not financially burdened. Even though he was very well aware of his medical condition, he did not let that come between his new found passion.
One step at a time
Wajahat Ahmed started providing scholarships at his own expense under the name Self Help Foundation(SHF) to the bright yet needy students, whose parents were having a hard time managing their child's education. He found happiness in the smiles of the little children and the thank you look in their parent's eyes. But he still wasn't content, as the quality of education remained the same.
Giving up his own Farmhouse for the needy
In mid-2015, he decided to take matters entirely into his own hand. He gave up his prized farm house and converted it into a school for the underprivileged. He himself drives for almost three hours daily, to get to the school he very proudly named, "Lahore College of Intellectuals(LCI)" and ensures that all the students get the best he has to offer. He continues to provide scholarships to the students in need and bears the burden of the entire school on his shoulders with a big smile on his face.
My Inspiration
Such men are truly a gift from God. For me, I call him my father. He is truly my inspiration and driving force to make a difference in this world. And if God willing, I manage to achieve half of what he did in his lifetime, I will consider myself a success.
Click here to visit the official Facebook page for Self Help Foundation.
Click here to visit the official Facebook page for Lahore College of Intellectuals.