Kiran Flagship Program

Bridging the Gap

A one of a kind educational parenting model that empowers the children and their caregivers through consistent long-term financial, academic, social and emotional support. It starts with our unique Ibtedai program which is a mother and child trauma informed preparatory preschool program further leading to admissions at reputable schools all the way to university. This program aims to bridge the socioeconomic gap through providing equal educational and networking opportunities to the students in mainstream private schools. They take the positive and soft image of Lyari out into the bigger world and bring back hope to Lyari. They perform the task of being the Ambassadors of Change. They lead their community through breaking barriers and create diverse networks for growth and progress.

Kiran Ibtedai School

This is a concept that has been nurtured and pampered like a newborn baby and implemented with the true passion of a mother’s love. This holistic, trauma informed mother and child preparatory preschool is designed to broaden the horizons of families through their child’s admission into mainstream private schools. We develop positive habits in children from a young age, with the aim to nurture them into kinder, more mindful individuals, aspiring to become empathetic leaders. Kiran Ibtedai School was established in 2006 in a congested street in Lyari inside a narrow building which today stands as our flagship Kiran Ghar, with the integral support of the Khatri Family, and two community champions, Haji Nazir Baloch and Sohrab Darzada. This became the first mother-child preschool of its kind, where children at risk of being disenfranchised by adverse-childhood experiences and their mothers, who went through severe domestic violence were given a safe and nurturing environment to heal into well-rounded individuals. This pioneer preparatory preschool program made it mandatory for mothers to educate themselves alongside their children to get ready to take the leap of applying to mainstream schools outside Lyari.

Kiran Ambassador Program

We believe that when children are given access to mainstream education and a diverse network of friends, they have the power to turn their circumstances around and unlock the doors to a world of opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. We have been able to take 145 children from Lyari to main-stream schools and colleges like St-Michael Convent, Haque Academy, Dawood Public School, Habib Public School, Habib Girls, Reflections, Generation, Happy Home, Aga Khan School, Origins, Nixor College, Cedar College and DA Degree College since 2008. Every day, these children dare to step out of their comfort zone and challenge the expectations people have from Lyari. Living in two different worlds is extremely challenging. These students reflect as positive ambassadors of Change for Lyari taking the Kiran message of love to the world. Every year more children are prepared to apply to mainstream schools and colleges. After school, the Ambassadors are supported at “Kiran Ghar” for evening classes where they are given consistent academic, social, and emotional support through academic tuitions and enrichment programs, in-house as well as out-sourced. Mental health support is also provided if needed.

Testimonials

Laraib Darzada

15 years
KAP Ambassador
PROGRAM

My father’s mindset was challenged by Kiran.

“At Kiran we, as a family learnt to take responsibility and most importantly, believe in ourselves. One lady who we called “Maa” Changed my life. At first, I thought she was from another world; how can we always be hopeful? How is it possible for education to change your entire life? Those were the questions I asked 8 years ago. Today, I can see it alive. Today I have hope! Today, I’m in class 10 at Habib girls’ school and I hope Lyari, my home continues to change.”

Nargis ALvi

Headmistress
HABIB Public School

“Sabina Khatri’s intention of starting work in Lyari to educate the children as a means for social uplift was interesting as well as inspiring. She requested that her students be considered for admission at Habib Girls’ after she had prepared them to sit for the admission test. I had my doubts but Sabina convinced me and since then a number of girls have cleared the admission test and were enrolled I feel a sense of great satisfaction when I see these young girls doing so well in every field.Their language skills are exceptional considering that they come from homes where English is not spoken at all.I congratulate Sabina for dreaming big and achieving even bigger.”

Every day, these children dare to step out of their comfort zone and challenge the expectations people have from Lyari.

Living in two different worlds is extremely challenging.

Kiran is their home, their safe space, their sanctuary.

External Academic Enrichment Programs

Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF)

ACF was created with a vision to assist marginalized or forgotten communities, animals and humans alike, to be rescued and rehabilitated, to improve their quality of life, for everyone to have a fair chance to live their lives with dignity and respect.

ACF is popularly known as ACF Animal Rescue; the first initiative ACF started was the first-of-its-kind animal shelter in Pakistan, based in Karachi for injured and unwell stray animals such as dogs, cats and kites and working animals such as donkeys, horses and camels.

Kiran Ambassador Program nurtures these children and gives them wings to fly, so that they can soar above the societal differences and bridge the gap.

Kiran Ambassadors Outreach Program

With the spirit to give back and contribute towards the betterment of their community, Kiran Green Society was started by 5 Kiran Ambassadors when they were 9 years old.

Kiran Green Society reminds us that you’re never too small to make a big difference. They have done many different projects over the years, such as

The Kiran School System should not only be hailed for leveling the playing field and providing the same opportunities to these children that are often available to only a narrow strata of society. But, the true extent of its success can be gauged from the fact that regardless of their background, the Kiran Foundation, its founder, Sabina Khatri and her unwavering group of supporters have been able to instill in each child a confidence, self-awareness and sense of pride that is comparable with any one of our own children. In class, these children have exhibited the same enthusiasm, hard-word and creativity to fully embrace the fun-filled and thought-provoking exploration of a new subject matter each month. The kiran ambassador program and kiran foundation’s efforts are only eclipsed by the children’s own determination to use the exposure and grooming to create a tradition of success and achievement in their respective families and neighborhoods. It is the happy ending every child deserves.