Dear Reader,

Soon after I joined TCF, I got a chance to visit TCF School-Engro Campus in Daharki. It was there that I met little Abdul Shakoor, a Class IV student. An extremely bright boy, Shakoor belongs to a very poor family of cattle farmers. He is studying on scholarship. I went to Shakoor’s house with the Principal so I could write a story about him. Shakoor’s house painted a stark picture. Surrounded by filthy sewers and manure, it was a tiny, dilapidated three-room place inhabiting 18 people, a buffalo, several chickens and goats; all in the same premises. Shakoor went to school on his own strong insistence- his father considered it a waste of time and often refused to pay the small token school fee. Everyday, young Shakoor would walk several miles to school in the scorching heat of Daharki. Little did I know when I went to write that story, that Shakoor’s bright eyes, and his ‘inspiring’ declaration of wanting to be a famous scientist when he grows up, would teach me something truly unforgettable about a child’s ability and optimistic streak to conquer the worst possible economic and social circumstances to succeed in life. TCF has complete faith in millions of children like Abdul Shakoor and the power of education to help them beat the odds and achieve their dreams. I request you to remember this each time you look around at the poverty and hopelessness surrounding us. For it is only optimism and faith that has enabled TCF to make a difference in the lives of thousands of children like Shakoor and help them dream of a better future.
 

 Rays of hope
TCF students - our real pride and joy! Over the years, these courageous children have resiliently progressed ahead to prove that their circumstances are in no way barriers to their ability to succeed. This year, TCF’s graduating students in both Sindh and Punjab obtained brilliant results in their Board Exams. Each one of the 46 students from 4 TCF Secondary school units in Punjab, appearing in the Lahore Board of Matriculation Exams passed, giving TCF a 100% passing rate as compared to the overall 60% rate in the province. Almost 60% of the candidates attained A+ or A grades - 42 of them were girls. The two highest achievers in the exams were also girls: Asia Ashfaq and Nazia Anayat of TCF Secondary School – Shirin Sultan Dossa Campus III, Minhala, Lahore.

Matric results this year for TCF schools in Sindh also made us extremely proud. We are delighted to announce that the passing rate among the 200 students graduating from 10 TCF secondary school units was 88%, surpassing the average passing rate of 72% for the province. All these students graduated in the Science group and 26% achieved an A+ or A grade. Nearly all the schools in this region performed better than the previous year; the first graduating batch of TCF Engro Campus, Daharki especially showing outstanding results, a direct outcome of the relentless efforts of the students and school faculty. More than 45% of the Sindh graduating class was represented by girls, thus maintaining an equitable gender ratio in the student body.
Higher Secondary Pilot Project
An additional feather in our teachers’ cap was the brilliant results of the first TCF Higher Secondary (College) Pilot Project for girls, taking them up to Class XII (FSC/ Intermediate). This project was launched for them in the premises of TCF School-Shirin Sultan Dossa Campus XI, Minhala, Lahore. It started upon strong insistence from the community in Minhala. This community had no colleges in its area. 15 girls enrolled and appeared in their Class XI Board Exams and successfully passed. Saba Hameed was the highest achiever, securing a fantastic 83.3%. The project is aimed at giving TCF female students a chance to continue their higher education. Its success has proved that our children truly deserve this chance. A similar project has also been launched this year for both girls and boys in TCF Campus in Mauripur, Karachi. TCF congratulates its students, teachers and its Education and Regional teams for these outstanding achievements, a laudable culmination of their year round efforts.
 
TCF’s Young Artists
Irfan Yousuf and Naveed Akhtar, students of TCF School – KFC Pakistan Campus, Karachi, won 3rd prize recently in the prestigious Unilever International Art Competition 2006. It was held in Karachi. The awards ceremony marked the end of a two-day exhibition. 150 different schools participated this year with several thousand entries. Of the 250 pieces that were short listed, 25 belonged to TCF students. The theme for the competition this year was “Dreams and Reality”. Children were encouraged to express themselves using any medium or material they liked. Irfan and Naveed, participating in the 15–18 year age category, made creative use of a Chatai (mat woven with jute) as the canvas for their beautiful painting on "World Peace". Other creative and inspiring entries made by TCF children included a model on “Life in Outer Space”, a primary student's project on “How to be safe from Dengue Fever”, a painting titled “I dream of a world free from corruption” and a beautiful truck model titled “I dream of being a world-famous truck artist”. Sydney Picasso, daughter-in-law of the legendary artist, Pablo Picasso, was the final judge for the competition. It’s important to note that TCF students have been winning prizes in the Unilever Art Competition since its launch in 2001, competing against students from various top schools of the country.
 
Initiatives in TCF Education Program
During this academic term, TCF Primary schools have been academically sub divided into Pre-primary and Primary levels to provide focused and specialized academic support needed for each level. Activity-based teaching is being implemented at the Pre-primary level whereby teachers base their assessment on observation of student performance as opposed to grades. After a thorough review, a need was also felt to revise the curricula with clear-cut objectives. Work has begun on Mathematics and Urdu syllabi from Kindergarten to Class V. Furthermore, TCF is collaborating with Hamqadam Foundation to identify and work with TCF students with learning difficulties. Two Hamqadam resource teachers are currently working with TCF teachers to help these children.

TCF believes that identifying and addressing learning difficulties at an initial stage can go a long way in resolving children’s learning disabilities. To keep abreast with latest teaching techniques, the “Eureka” animated educational software, focusing on Science and Mathematic concepts from Class I to XII has also been introduced in two TCF schools in Karachi and Lahore on a trial basis. This software provides excellent audio-visual demonstrations of complex concepts. Training is an essential part of the TCF program and our education team is always looking for ways and means to create opportunities for the continual development of its faculty. Recently, a professional teacher-trainer, Zeba Savage conducted a 2-day-workshop for 60 Primary School teachers in Karachi. ‘Tailor-made’ to TCF teachers’ needs, the whole exercise was based on Zeba’s field of specialization – Mathematics.

Initiating change without monitoring and evaluation is ineffective. Hence, TCF Education teams have been carrying out extensive school visits to improve teaching techniques wherever necessary to improve quality of education. To further facilitate the education program, Cluster Education Officers have been designated in all the four Regions with the primary responsibility of monitoring schools and faculty and the quality of education delivery in the classrooms.
 
 Annual Awards Ceremony
The 3rd Annual TCF Awards Ceremony was held in November 2006, to once again laud the efforts of the dedicated female teachers who make our education program in far-flung villages and neglected urban slums possible. This year, the ceremony was held in five cities (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Khushab and Faisalabad) to accommodate our expanding faculty base.

TCF’s Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and guest speakers paid rich tributes to the committed teachers and principals. As Mr. Ahsan Saleem, TCF’s Chairman said in his speech at the Karachi event, “Ten years ago when we first talked of establishing 1,000 schools, many were skeptical of our dream. Some mocked us by asking us how we would ever get the teachers to teach in these schools. Today, the total number of teachers in TCF schools would not even fit in this arena!”

Awards were given out in categories of Long Service, Excellent Results and Attendance. There were 87 teachers who were awarded for their 100% attendance. There were 14 teachers who were rewarded for their 10 years of dedicated services and 97 teachers for their 5-years span. The Shirin Sultan Dossa Campus VI, Karachi and the Engro Campus, Daharki were the recipients of Excellent Results awards in Sindh. In the North region, the Shirin Sultan Dossa Campus II in Roranwala, Shirin Sultan Dossa Campus X in Pind Waraichan and Shirin Sultan Dossa Campus XI, Phengali received awards for 100% results, while Shirin Sultan Dossa Campus III, Minhala Kalan received awards for both 100% and Excellent Results.

Almost 2,400 teachers were in attendance in the four events and received gifts especially sponsored by TCF’s supporters, Standard Chartered Bank and Unilever Pakistan. TCF is also grateful to its supporters Mr. Salim Mughal, Mr. Ali Jafari and distinguished literary figure Mr. Amjad Islam Amjad for entertaining the audience with their recitations of literary prose. Popular singers Sajjad Ali in Karachi and Sheraz Uppal in Lahore also made surprise appearances at the events and enthralled the audience with impromptu songs and ended their performance by thanking the teachers.
 
Cellular Support for TCF
Mobilink GSM, the largest local telecom service provider in Pakistan, has joined hands with TCF to build Primary and Secondary Schools in areas of Lahore and Karachi. Mobilink President Zouhair A. Khaliq and TCF CEO Lt. Gen S. P. Shahid (Retd) signed an agreement during a largely attended ceremony in Islamabad.

In addition to building schools, the cellular company has also decided to finance a joint advertising campaign with TCF, advocating TCF’s cause for education. An sms-donation campaign through Mobilink’s cellular network will also be a part of the promotional campaign.
 
Taking Our Children Forward
An area of deep concern for TCF is the future of its students. After graduating from TCF Schools, the acquisition of further education for these students becomes very difficult. There are many reasons including the lack of guidance, counseling, opportunities and financial constraints. With this in view, a Student Placement Program was initiated last year. Through this, we have started a Scholarship Program, which has received tremendous support from both individual and corporate donors. Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) has signed an agreement with TCF to provide scholarships to 600 TCF graduates of Class X initially, to further study and complete their Bachelors degrees. Each year, SCB will increase the number of scholarships for TCF students. It will also donate 200 computers to TCF primary schools, and sponsor twelve teacher-training workshops for TCF faculty each year. Commenting on this agreement, Mr. Badar Kazmi, CEO, SCB Pakistan said, “We understand that contribution towards supporting the students at this crucial stage will ensure continuity of education for all those talented students who otherwise are constrained due to paucity of funds”.

The bank also organized a ceremony to launch this partnership, in which six students from the TCF School - Cowasjee Campus Higher Secondary Pilot Project - were awarded scholarships.
 
New Funding Options
TCF has introduced several new funding options to enance its education program and gear itself for future expansion. Brief details of these new schemes are given below.

Educate-a-Child till Matric
The “Educate a child till Matric” Fund will provide for the education of one child from pre-primary to matriculation (Class X). The cost of setting up this fund for one TCF student is Rs. 98,000 ($1,700), which will be placed in an Endowment Fund that will fully support the primary and secondary schooling of a child throughout his or her years at a TCF school.

 Stock-a-Library
Who can imagine a school without a library? Bearing that in mind, TCF has created a special fund to equip its schools’ libraries. These books, selected after careful research by our curriculum experts, cover a wide range of subjects from children’s fiction to history, science, personality development and general knowledge. The library books-upgrade cost has been ascertained at a minimum of Rs. 50,000 ($850) for a primary school and Rs. 75,000 ($1,250) for a secondary school.

Target International, through their local office in Pakistan (Target Sourcing Services/AMC) has provided a grant to fund 12 TCF libraries. The Target International Grants Program supports accessible, quality educational opportunities for children and youth all over the world. Moreover, TCF has received a commitment from ACCA Pakistan to stock 6 primary libraries for TCF schools being built in the earthquake affected areas. Both the organizations have given a significant boost to TCF’s plan of developing its libraries.

Staff Vans
Due to various cultural restrictions - one being the presence of male faculty - many communities don’t send their daughters to school. In order to promote girls’ enrollment, TCF inducts only female teachers. Thanks in part to this policy, TCF is proud to report an equitable gender ratio in its schools. As many of our campuses are in remote rural or urban localities with little or no access to public transport, TCF has taken up the task of providing transport to all its teachers to ensure their regular attendance. TCF's staff vans are a vital part of TCF’s Education Program; they ensure safe and dependable transportation for our dedicated faculty as well as foster their sense of commitment to the students! A donation of Rs 450,000 ($7,600) can provide a van for teachers of one school unit.
 
TCF Golf Tournament
TCF Golf Tournament was successfully held for the third time in a row at Karsaz Golf Club, Karachi on December 23–24, 2006. The exciting golf challenge attracted a high turnout - all for supporting the cause of education. Each player’s participation fee will pay for one child’s education at TCF for an entire year. 225 supporters participated this year.

The Tournament, as the previous two, was hosted by Karsaz Golf Club and TCF is truly grateful to the KGC management committee for their support. KGC has decided to make the TCF Golf Tournament part of its annual calendar. Main sponsors for the event this year included Atlas Asset Management and Askari Commercial Bank Ltd. A host of other sponsors also pitched in to make the tournament a success.

Golfers from all walks of life participated in the categories of amateurs, seniors, veterans, ladies and juniors. Apart from individual contestants, the event also hosted teams from local and multinational corporations. The main team event was won by the Pakistan Navy team.
 
 TCF Relief Program-An Update
TCF Relief Program has embarked on its rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. 6,300 insulated winter shelters were built in over 42 villages and 60,000 survivors were provided protection from the harsh winter till such time that their permanent homes are reconstructed. Work has commenced on a comprehensive program of assisting communities in building seismically designed permanent homes, supporting infrastructure and water supply schemes.

This reconstruction and rehabilitation project is based on a capacity building and training program for creating self- sustainability. It is a community-based, owner-driven project, with an objective to train the affectees to build their own homes and also to empower them with skills for their livelihood.
Construction of 990 houses in 18 villages is already underway. Detailed surveys were carried out to determine the beneficiaries and extensive sessions with village locals to explain to them the technical and social aspects of the program and to obtain their feedback. Locals are building their homes with material, training and on-going support from TCF.

Two TCF training centres, each with their own block-making sites have been established at Muzaffarabad and Mansehra here villagers are given extensive workshops on basic and seismic construction techniques. They are given training in making blocks and the different stages in construction from safe site selection to vertical re-enforcement. Skills like carpentry and masonry are also taught to help them in the construction of their homes.

As part of our reconstruction efforts, we have also planned around 20 TCF schools in the area to help rebuild the devastated education system. Construction of schools commenced in October 2006 after gaining approval from Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and work on many has advanced through initial excavation into plinth building. These schools are designed to be zero-tolerance structures built as per quake-resistent technology.
 
 
Credit Suisse Group Foundation to help build TCF School in Mansehra
The Credit Suisse Group (CSG) Foundation recently approved a grant to support TCF’s education program in the earthquake affected areas by funding the construction of a primary school in District Mansehra to be operational in the 2007 academic session. Credit Suisse is one of the world's leading banks and the CSG Foundation supports charitable and community development programs throughout the world. Its grant to TCF reflects Credit Suisse's commitment to improving the educational opportunities for the children of Pakistan and will contribute to the rehabilitation and reconstruction initiative launched by TCF for the victims of the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005. The grant agreement was signed in Hong Kong by the Chairman of the CSG Foundation, Mr. Renato Fassbind and Mr. Charles Naylor, Member of the Board of the CSG Foundation. Mr. Shahzad Alam, one of our supporters based in Singapore and a Vice President of CSG played an important role in mobilizing this partnership
 
Fonetography
Recently Nokia and HP sponsored a series of 10 charity auctions of beautiful photos taken by professional photographers through the Nokia Mobile N90. TCF was the chosen non-profit for the auction held in Lahore last month. Proceeds from this event were contributed towards TCF Education Program.
 
STCF Pakistan: The Launch of The Last Mughal
In November, STCF invited renowned Scottish author William Dalrymple to Pakistan to launch his latest book, The Last Mughal. The book launch was held in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. A cross section of society ranging from students, academics and intellectuals to senior citizens and young entrepreneurs attended the event in the three cities. Mr. Dalrymple delighted the audience with his recitation of segments from his book, followed by a Question and Answer session and interviews with the media. Proceeds from autographed copies of the book sold at the event were donated to TCF’s education program.

Earlier, STCF has also had the honor of hosting the launch of Mr. Dalrymple’s previous book, The White Mughals in Pakistan in 2003.

This event was a part of a series of avenues regularly used by STCF to advance the awareness of TCF’s mission. Other similar events planned by STCF in the coming months will include the ILMATHON 2007 – an eagerly awaited annual STCF feature.
 
TCF - Around the Globe...
 
 TCF - USA
Communications has been the recent focus of TCF-USA’s program activity. As a part of this strategy, their first Newsletter was emailed to over 2,000 recipients in October. To read, please visit http://tcfusa.org/newsletter.html and forward it to your family and friends. You may also sign up to receive the biannual ‘Newsletter’ - the next issue is planned for April 2007.

Another significant first was the mailing of a print version of the newsletter to about 1,000 additional supporters in November, as part of TCF-USA first direct mail Annual Donation Campaign. Moreover, the website www.tcfusa.org was also enhanced with several new sections and current information.

Fundraising and Administration: Cisco was recently added to a growing list of major U.S. employers offering matching gifts for donations made to TCF-USA.In September, Pakistan-American Friendship Association of Indiana held a fundraiser for a TCF school in the earthquake affected region. Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent in North America (APPNA), also made a grant for a TCF Primary school in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and is in the process of approving a Secondary school in the earthquake region. Building the capacity and efficiency of TCF-USA is a major focus of the Board, for which a full-time staff position has been added at the national office in Chicago for administrative and development functions. Progress is also being made to develop a road map and plan for the next few years.

Community Outreach: The Northeast Region Support Group of TCF-USA has been the most active in organizing events in New York, New Jersey, Boston and Connecticut. Earlier in the year, presentations were made to community groups in Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. TCF-USA also set up an information booth at the APPNA annual convention in Chicago.
 

TCF - Bahrain
TCF Bahrain’s focus has been on raising awareness for TCF’s cause in the Pakistani community based in Bahrain, and on raising funds for its committed support of the operations of two TCF schools every year. Fundraising efforts for this purpose began in September. Given the rise in operating costs of schools, the task was made easier by the continuous support of TCF friends in Bahrain. The response of our regular and new donors was highly encouraging and our target was received in only six weeks.

TCF Bahrain appreciates the generosity of the Pakistani community in Bahrain, and is grateful for the efforts of Mr. Ali Mirza, Mr. & Mrs. Syed Majid Hussain and Pakistani Women’s Association (PWA) Bahrian. We also greatly appreciate the constant support offered by Mr. Qaiser Jaffery and Mr. Asim Meerza.
 
 FTCF - UK
An Evening with Rory Bremner
Through his ever popular television shows Rory Bremner has become firmly established as a favourite in Britain as well as abroad. In its biggest event of the year, FTCF was proud to host an evening with one of Britain’s sharpest impressionists, satirists and commentators. As expected, the event was a resounding success and brought great comedic entertainment to the attending TCF supporters. The funds raised from ticket sales will be used in building and stocking a TCF School library.

The Himalayan Challenge, 2006
In the second fundraising trekking expedition organized by the UK based FTCF and Supporters of TCF Pakistan in the Nanga Parbat region, a group of 28 young British trekkers contributed a sizeable amount to TCF. Each trekker raised at least £2,500, which covered their travel, boarding, lodging and other logistic expenses with the balance going towards TCF’s Education Program.

This was the second successful trek expedition after last year’s 2005 Hindu Kush Trek Challenge, in which 24 trekkers had participated. This year's 11-day expedition was held from June 21 to July 1, 2006 and raised funds to support the operating expenses of TCF schools.
 
Other Events
In July, FTCF organized a Walk for its loyal band of supporters in Newcastle. The walk was organized at the Allen Banks and Steward Grange Park. The event, which has become an annual feature due to its popularity, was sponsored in aid of TCF. The setting was a park maintained by the English Heritage, with a trail running through the woods alongside a meandering river. In November, FTCF UK invited passionate footballers to take part in its annual 5-a-side Football Tournament at the Goals Soccer Centre, Alperton Lane, Wembley. The competitors created an exhilarating atmosphere, enjoyed by the participants and their supporters alike. Participation fee proceeds went to TCF’s education program.
 
TCF - UAE
TCF-UAE would like to thank all its supporters for their immense generosity and support, more so during Ramadan. Especially acknowledged are Mr. Rashid Ashraf and family, Mr. Amjad Ali Khan, Mr. Shahid Umerani and Mr. Zaigham Khattab for donating a School each to be built in 2007. We are also deeply appreciative of the support from Sharjah Charity International, which signed an agreement with TCF in November 2006 to re-construct a village in earthquake affected area of Pakistan.

TCF-UAE played host once again to an exciting day at the Jebel Ali Go-Karting Club in Dubai on November 24, 2006, the second successful go-karting event held by the chapter this year. This time a larger number of enthusiasts from the multicultural Dubai expatriate community donned their jumpsuits and helmets to raise funds for TCF schools. Drivers, young and old, could not wait to get their turn at the famous track. Also in November, Khurram Badr, a TCF Volunteer, organized a fundraising cricket match for TCF between the Youth Committee of the Professionals' Wing of Pakistan Association and the Young Pakistan Expatriate Society at the Zabeel Cricket Arena, Dubai. Friends and family members turned out in large numbers to cheer for their teams in the exciting match.

An engaging book reading by renowned Pakistani writer Moni Mohsin was held at Magrudy's book shop in Dubai in December, organized by members of the TCF Ladies Group and other Dubai-based supporters. Scores of enthusiasts came to listen to Ms. Mohsin read extracts from her debut novel The End of Innocence, who also spoke about the significant role and contribution of TCF in the field of education in Pakistan.

One of the main goals of TCF UAE this year was to maximize media coverage for TCF. As part of this goal, Danish Mumtaz, a Dubai-based filmmaker and avid TCF supporter took an international film crew to Pakistan to shoot TCF's new advertisement. The ad was played without charge on all of ARY networks, courtesy ARY Digital’s CEO Mr. Salman Iqbal and Mr. Rizwan Farooq, as well as Pakistan-based TV channels Aaj TV and TV One.
 
TCF - Canada
We are immensely proud to report that TCF Canada Chapter has set up its first office in Toronto. Our heartiest congratulations go out to our Canada supporters on this achievement, who also celebrated the chapter’s 1st year anniversary earlier in the year with a dinner at the Granite Club. This was attended by over hundred prominent guests. TCF’s Director, Mr. Mushtaq Chhapra made a presentation at the event outlining TCF’s ongoing initiatives in the field of education. The Chapter also received commitments for construction and operating support for two TCF schools at the event. Since its inception, the Chapter has been instrumental in the construction of 5 TCF schools. It is also supporting the operations of two other primary schools. Fulfilled in such a short time, these achivements are truly commendable.

In September, the Chapter organized a fundraising dinner followed by a thoroughly enjoyed stand-up comedy act by two renowned comedians, Sabrina Jalees and Azhar Usman. More than 450 people attended the full-house event which was also attended by the Consul General for Pakistan, Mr. Ghalib Iqbal, Consul General for USA, Mr. John Nay, several Municipal Councilors and the Vice President, Public Affairs of Magna International that has pledged to construct a TCF school in an earthquake affected area. At this event the Chapter received several commitments to fund school units and libraries.