Our Story: A Responsibility Born
Uraan Foundation was founded by Mohammad Imam, who witnessed firsthand the stark disparities during repeated trips from Canada to Pakistan. Growing up with stable access to global education made these contrasts impossible to ignore.
Alongside his mother, Saba, the journey began simply: donating uniforms, notebooks, and essential stationary to neglected public schools in Karachi. As local trust deepened, the scope expanded organically to building playgrounds, washrooms, computer labs, and establishing permanent scholarship tracks.
Why Girls Education
25M
Out of School Children
Approximately 25 to 26 million children in Pakistan remain out of school, with girls bearing the heaviest brunt of exclusion.
10-14
Critical Drop-out Age
Most girls are pulled from education between ages 10 and 14 to assume household labor, domestic expectations, or due to unsafe transport.
The Cost
Economic & Generational
Denying girls education drives higher community poverty, lower public health outcomes, and compromises generational potential.
The Reality Girls Face
Across Pakistan, approximately 25-26 million children aged 5-16 are out of school, with girls disproportionately affected particularly in low-income and underserved communities. Girls are more likely to leave school due to:
1
Financial pressure on families
Where boys' education is prioritized, leaving girls with fewer resources and less opportunity to stay in school.
2
Unsafe or inadequate school facilities
Including the absence of washrooms, which makes daily attendance unsafe and unsustainable for many girls.
3
Long or unsafe travel routes to school
Distance and danger become insurmountable barriers when families cannot safely send daughters to school.
4
Early domestic responsibilities and social expectations
Girls are often expected to take on household labor and care work, making it difficult to continue learning.
For many girls, leaving school between the ages of 10 and 14 becomes permanent. Once education is disrupted, the opportunity to return is rare.
The Cost of Exclusion
When girls are denied an education, the impact extends far beyond the classroom. Communities experience:
1
Higher rates of poverty and economic dependence
Without education, families remain trapped in lower-income cycles and rely more heavily on external support.
2
Poorer health outcomes for families
Uneducated girls are less equipped to manage family health, nutrition, and hygiene, leading to long-term health gaps.
3
Increased vulnerability to early marriage and child labor
Girls without education are more exposed to exploitation and less able to advocate for their own protection.
4
Lost potential for social and economic progress
Education is not only a personal right; it is a foundation for public health, economic stability, and long-term development.
The Ripple Effect of Educating Girls
When girls are educated, the benefits multiply across generations. Educated girls are more likely to:
1
Become economically independent
Education opens pathways to better work, higher earning potential, and greater autonomy over personal and family decisions.
2
Raise healthier, better-educated families
Educated mothers are more likely to prioritize nutrition, healthcare, and education for their own children.
3
Invest back into their communities
Educated girls are more likely to contribute to local economies, mentor younger peers, and support community development.
4
Advocate for education and opportunity for others
Educated girls become powerful advocates for the next generation, helping create a culture of learning and equality.
A single girl completing her education has the power to shift the trajectory of an entire family and, over time, entire communities.
Why Uraan Focuses on Girls
Uraan Foundation's focus on girls is intentional. By prioritizing those who face the greatest barriers, we work to create the greatest long-term impact.
1
Safe infrastructure
We address the physical conditions that make learning possible, from safe facilities to essential services like washrooms.
2
Nutrition
We support the basic well-being that allows girls to focus on learning instead of hunger or fatigue.
3
Learning resources
We provide the materials, tools, and support systems that help girls stay engaged and motivated in school.
4
Sustained support
From scholarships to school upgrades and our future model school, every initiative is designed to keep girls learning, growing, and thriving.
URAAN
Where Dreams Learn to Fly. Empowering children, specifically underprivileged girls, through high-quality primary and secondary education in Pakistan.
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