Aziz and Claire, our co-founders, were talking one day in early 2023 about what could be done to help children in Pakistan’s Tribal Areas (the former FATA Region). They had been coming back to this topic for several years, and kept touching on the subject of children in the area needing additional resources to succeed and thrive. The history of conflict in the Tribal Areas means that many children have lost one or both parents, and have been left with trauma. Additionally, insurgent groups destroyed many of the area’s schools, leaving children without an education. Aziz and Claire originally considered finding a way to help the area’s orphans, because they need help the most, but without access to an education the orphans would have few opportunities in life. They also considered helping the schools, because education would open doors to all children in the area, but without proper clothing and school supplies to be able to attend classes, the orphans would not benefit.
Eventually they realized that because of the area’s complex history, a holistic approach to aid was needed– by helping orphanages and schools at the same time, they could ensure that all children in the area, including orphans, have the opportunity to lead healthy and successful lives. Every Child A Scholar was born from the idea that helping orphans and helping schools are interlinked. We believe that by focusing our efforts on supplies, clothes, educational infrastructure, and orphanages, orphans and all children in the Tribal Areas will benefit.
Every Child A Scholar is made up of a dedicated team of volunteers who source resources for orphanages in Pakistan’s tribal areas. We are made up of Pakistani expats, Pakistanis from and living in the tribal areas, and Americans. Every Child a Scholar is co-chaired by Aziz Shoukat and Claire Quin. We are staffed entirely by volunteers, and 100% of the donations we receive are sent to orphanages or put towards shipping costs for supplying Pakistan’s tribal area orphanages with donated goods. We are currently seeking 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.