A Unifying Force: SFY and Daar-e-Arqam Join Hands to Ignite Hope Amidst Devastation

It is this shared commitment to action and impact that Principal Zunaira Saleem of Dar-e-Arqam Nankana so powerfully articulates. She emphasizes that “in any flood-affected area, any calamity-ridden area, the menstrual health of female victims matters very much- because their entire lives depend upon (safe menstruation management)!”Principal Saleem further highlights how, “in our society, we do not talk about such topics, do not discuss them [openly], and in comparison with food or shelter-centered relief work, this sort of relief work is overlooked.” Her impassioned advocacy underscores the critical, yet often overlooked, dimension of menstrual health in disaster relief, highlighting the profound humanitarian need that this partnership is poised to address.

Starting this Sunday, August 24th, SFY will intensify its relief drive with the explicit aim of distributing Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) kits to women and girls, as part of our ambitious goal of providing 1,000 essential kits across Buner and Swat. In this first crucial stage, Daar-e-Arqam has stepped in as an active, invaluable partner. The school has committed ten dedicated teachers for three full days to sit alongside SFY volunteers; meticulously sewing procured fabric into sanitary pads, and carefully preparing MHM kits that includes vital necessities like soap, undergarments, and more. Once this foundational work is complete, the next group of passionate volunteers will package these pads and products into full hygiene kits ready to move directly into the hands of displaced women and girls. It’s a powerful pipeline, transforming passion into purpose, and heartfelt realization into tangible reach.

Beyond the Classroom: Teachers as Changemakers

Dar-e-Arqam’s teachers, notably, have also been integral participants in our transformative #LIMEPakistan project, deepening their commitment to community well-being. This particular partnership, undeniably, speaks volumes about the kind of powerful, transformative coalitions that broad-based organizing can effectively facilitate. Our heroic teachers are not only empowering young girls in Nankana through education but will now actively support young women’s access to crucial menstrual healthcare all the way in Buner, a journey of nearly 300 miles. This incredible dedication speaks volumes about the immense potential for a national network of changemakers, stewarded by genuine local ownership and visionary leadership.

This collaboration transcends mere logistics. It is a deliberate and profound statement that education and humanitarian work are not separate spheres but powerfully reinforcing forces. Teachers, typically spending their days shaping minds in classrooms, will now dedicate hours to sewing and weaving, serving as a poignant reminder that leadership is demonstrated as much in selfless acts of service as it is in scholarly lectures. With Daar-e-Arqam’s invaluable involvement, SFY is not only dramatically scaling up its capacity to deliver aid but also profoundly strengthening the moral fabric of the relief effort.

Rebuilding Together: A Pledge for a Resilient Tomorrow

The floods will necessitate years of arduous rebuilding, and in choosing to walk shoulder to shoulder with us, Daar-e-Arqam has powerfully demonstrated that solidarity is a practice—a commitment carried out in hours of labor and in deep, unwavering care for those most overlooked. The Society for Youth extends its’ deepest gratitude for this collaboration. It reminds us yet again, that when people come together with shared purpose, the monumental work of recovery becomes lighter, and the possibility of hope becomes a luminous reality, even in the darkest seasons of devastation.

We are profoundly grateful to Daar-e-Arqam for stepping forward at this absolutely crucial stage. Together, we are not just preparing to rebuild; we are preparing to restore, to reimagine, and to forge stronger, more resilient communities for a brighter tomorrow.