News and Updates

Speech of Mrs. Hashmat Effendi at Pakistan Conference, Harvard University Boston

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die-Edward Kennedy

Pakistan’s future still has hope! On April 4th 2009, some of the brightest minds in the country got together to explore some of the major issues facing our country today and figure out innovative solutions going forward. Students from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and MIT organized a first of its kind conference aimed at identifying causes and possible solutions for the crisis facing our country today in fields such as healthcare, education, technology, entrepreneurship and Governance. The Conference was entitled “Unraveling Pakistan: Frontline Perspectives on Change”

Hashmat Effendi was one of the main speakers for Healthcare reform as well as the Panel Coordinator. Other speakers included Dr. Nasir Qureshi( president of Appna New Jersey Branch) and Dr. Naheed Usmani(Chair of Appna Merit Program and Associate professor of Pediatrics at University of Massachusetts)
Ms. Effendi spoke brilliantly about the Healthcare calamities facing Pakistan Today including the fact that Pakistan has the fourth highest incidence of Cleft deformities worldwide which translates into more then 10,000 children born with this deformity every year. She talked about how easily preventable these diseases were and what could be done to help now. She related her own profound experiences dealing with health issues in Pakistan as well as some startling and heartbreaking statistics relating to Women and Children fatalities. The speech was followed by a lively question answer session and intelligent, thought provoking discussion.

Ms. Effendi dedicated this trip to Harvard to her Uncle Mr. Ghulam Riza who served the Government of Pakistan for 35 years. He worked at the Secretary of the State level as well as a lawyer of the Supreme court. He was even awarded the French Chivalier Medal-order of Merit in 1996 for his services to the French.Agha Ghulam Riza believed in quality education, he thus sent his son Farzan A. Riza to Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the 80's.

The House of Charity would like to also thank the entire team of Pakistan Conference 2009 for inviting us and organizing the conference. Special thanks to Mariam Chugthai and Usman Raza, Chair and Co chair of the conference.

The future of Pakistan lies in its Youth. Right now, our country is in a state of devastation in all aspects. We should not lose hope though because as the House of Charity Motto goes.. “Together, we can make a difference…”

This is the Plaque that The House of Charity is presenting to the members of the conference as a token of thanks the entire team of Pakistan Conference 2009 for inviting us and organizing the conference.Special thnaks to Mariam Chugthai and Usman Raza, Chair and Co chair of the conference.

A Brief Synopsis of the speech…

“ Pakistan has the 4th highest rate of cleft deformities in the world. The incidence of Cleft deformities worldwide is around 1in every 2500. But in Pakistan, this number increases to 1 in every 450 births. That means more than 10 thousand children are born with clefts deformities in Pakistan every year.

I ask myself and I ask you - Why we act as if some lives are more precious than others?

Why some children are treated as if they are worth saving, and others are not?

That's why we need to find a way to get intelligent people thinking about this issue, developing plans and executing them.
John Ruskin has said “When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.”

So let’s today sow the seeds of that master piece by urging all of you to do two things to mark the occasion of this beginning.

First, I hope at the end of the conference you will celebrate by imagining a different future. By believing that life can be better for millions of people who have suffered in Pakistan for too long.

Second, I ask you to commit yourselves to doing everything you can to make that better future happen in which all mothers and children are treated as if they are worth saving. These are worthy goals.”

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"Creating the Garden of hope"

Event: Creating the Garden of hope
      "come make a difference..."
What: Fundraiser
Host: HOUSE OF CHARITY
Start Time: Saturday, April 11 at 11:00am
End Time: Saturday, April 11 at 4:00pm
Where: Healing Home

To see more details, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=67423633599

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