One of FIDA's original and most active Board Members, Brig. (Rtd.) Muhammad Aslam Khan, addressed a crowd of local residents and district representatives at the inauguration of FIDA's water filtration plant in Village Yarak. This plant will provide clean, accessible water to residents throughout the village.

In order to kick off Hand Washing Week 2010, FIDA and IRD hosted a seminar at Government High School Kachi Paind Khan, D.I.Khan. Participants shared their experiences and highlighted the importance of hand washing in perspective of Islamic teachings and beliefs.

FIDA is pleased to announce that Mr. Imran (Field Coordinator, Tank) has been awarded an "Appreciation Shield" by 39 AK Regiment, HAT Battalion. The shield was given on behalf of "CO and All Ranks of The Tank Busters."

Major Ahmad Farooq Mella (2 IC Commandant) presented the shield to Mr. Imran in the presence Mr. Barkat Ali, Mr. Asif Wazir and Pir Mushtaq Ahmad of FIDA. Major Mella voiced his appreciation for the role of Mr. Imran and FIDA for assisting IDPs in Tank. All FIDA members present thanked 39 AK Regiment for considering a FIDA employee for this honorable recognition.

As part of its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project with IRD, FIDA has provided support to the District Response Unit (DRU) in Dera Ismail Khan. The DRU plays an integral part in responding to disasters, such as the IDP crisis, and FIDA was pleased to support the DRU in their efforts.



For press clippings from the handover ceremony, please click here.

FIDA recently sponsored six students from Waziristan, Khyber and Karak to participate in the Young Leaders' Conference (YLC) hosted by the School of Leadership in Karachi.

"YLC is a 6-day residential conference where youth from all over Pakistan and abroad, interact and network with each other and leading personalities from the world of business, development, academia and culture. Participants engage in activities and simulations that facilitate learning of essential leadership skills needed to excel in our challenging and fast-changing global environment."

This year's theme was “Suno Kay Mein Hun Jawan,” which the organizers describe as,

"the realization of and journey towards self-actualization. It facilitates youth to step out from confusion and harness their potential that enables them to contribute to the world. Youth empower themselves to become young leaders through greater responsibility, discipline, vision, creativity and commitment. They look into their hearts and minds and discover the essence of who they are. It is about they pursuing dreams with faith, mindfulness and passion!"

For more information on YLC and SOL, please go to http://www.ylc.sol.edu.pk/

As a part of a Health and Hygiene promotion campaign in the surrounding areas, FIDA arranged a debate competition for school children in Tehsil Paharpur of District D.I.Khan. Eight students from four different schools participated in the final competition.

The following students won prizes for their participation:
    1st Prize - Noman Shah (Model School)
    2nd Prize - Sanullah (City Science School)
    3rd Prize - Muhammad Riaz (Gov't High School No. 2)
The debate competition was followed by a town clean up activity with the participation of all the school children.

To see the news report on this activity, click here. To see newspaper clippings, click here.

FIDA celebrated Hand Washing Week with 4,685 students in public and private schools in Dera Ismail Khan. The students participated in question & answer sessions and learned proper hand washing methods through pictoral charts and interactive games. FIDA’s Public Health Promoters led students through a physical hand washing and nail cutting exercise.