Ghaaran Jo Melo – Family Festival — a celebration of self-reliance initiatives introduced by Heritage Foundation that included the distribution of 50 toilets which are being finished by the household themselves, and the provision of skill training for chulasto the local community. This CSR event was a joint venture by the Heritage Foundation Pakistan and STARLINKS PR and Events.
Representatives of various print and electronic media and bloggers were welcomed at Makli by Khalifa Shakeel Ahmed, the custodian of Hazrat Ashabi Shrine. Ms. Shanaz Ramzi, CEO STARLINKS PR and Events and Board Member of Heritage Foundation Pakistan gave an introduction to the initiative. Shehighlighted the transformation in the lives of the beggar community of Makli, which is now involved in constructing toilets and chulas as a means of livelihood. She stressed on the need for appreciating the taking-up of such self-reliance initiatives by local, impoverished communities.
The attendees were then treated to an endearing performance by local street children. The highlight of the day was a special performance by well-known TV and film star Tipu Sharif, who performed pro bono for the villagers of Makli and surrounding areas. Tipu Sharif accompanied by a guitarist gave an amazing acoustic performance for the villagers –a first-in-their-lifetime experience as no one had ever performed for them before. Tipu enthralled the local community as well as the media with his melodious renditions and everyone appreciatedhis gesture of coming all the way to Makli to perform.
Awards were given to community role models to honour their work towards self-reliance. MrNaeem Shah, Humanitarian Manager of Heritage Foundation, gave the Vote of Thanks. After which the guests were taken around the local village, where CEO Heritage Foundation Yasmeen Lari also announced the gifting of a small adobe to the oldest resident of the village, a hundred year old elderly woman. This was followed by a tour of the Makli Necropoliswith a detailed briefing by CEO Heritage Foundation, Yasmeen Lari, and lunch for the visitors.All in all it was a unique experience for both the guests and the local community.
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