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Our Story

About SAWS

From a passionate idea to a thriving educational community — learn how Step Ahead Welfare Society came to be and what drives us forward.

The Origin Story

Born from Compassion,
Built by Students

Step Ahead Welfare Society was founded by Dr. Fatima Khaliq alongside the dedicated students of Batch 44 at Rawalpindi Medical University. What began as a heartfelt desire to give back to the community evolved into a structured, impactful organization.

Recognizing the vast gap in educational access for underprivileged children in Rawalpindi, the founding team established an outdoor teaching camp at Liaquat Bagh — transforming a public space into a classroom of hope.

Today, SAWS runs with over 400 dedicated volunteers, serving more than 60 enrolled students, with plans to expand and reach even more children across Rawalpindi.

Founding medical students of SAWS

Batch 44 — Rawalpindi Medical University

The founding team that started it all

Mission & Motto

Our Mission

To provide free, quality education to underprivileged children in Rawalpindi, empowering them with knowledge, skills, and confidence to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

Our Motto

“Share a Word, Build Someone's World!”

A simple truth that underpins everything we do — sharing knowledge is the most powerful form of generosity.

Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Camp Active · Mon–Sat
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Liaquat Bagh Physical Camp Setting
Where We Teach

Liaquat Bagh Outdoor Camp

Our teaching takes place at the iconic Liaquat Bagh park in Rawalpindi. The open-air setting creates a unique, welcoming environment where children feel comfortable to learn, explore, and grow.

Location

Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan

Format

Outdoor classroom sessions with structured curriculum

Summer Timings

4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Winter Timings

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Frequency

Daily sessions, Monday to Saturday

Our Program

The 4-Step Educational Journey

A carefully designed progression that takes every child from initial assessment to academic readiness.

01

Enrollment & Assessment

Every child who joins SAWS begins with a warm welcome and a careful learning assessment. Our coordinators evaluate reading ability, numeracy, and general knowledge to place each child at the appropriate level.

  • Parent/guardian orientation session
  • Individual learning level assessment
  • Personalized learning plan creation
  • Assignment to appropriate teaching group
SAWS volunteers reaching out to local families

Step 1 — Community outreach & enrollment drive

02

Foundational Literacy & Numeracy

Children at the foundational level focus on developing core reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. Volunteers use creative, interactive methods to make learning engaging and effective.

  • Urdu and English alphabets & reading
  • Basic mathematics and counting
  • Story-based learning sessions
  • Interactive worksheets and activities
03

Skill Building & Critical Thinking

As students progress, we introduce more complex concepts, encourage independent thinking, and build the confidence they need to thrive in formal schooling environments.

  • Advanced reading comprehension
  • Problem-solving and logical thinking
  • Science and general knowledge
  • Group discussions and presentations
Students proudly wearing SAWS school uniforms

Step 3 — Uniforms & school integration milestone

04

Academic Excellence & School Integration

The final stage prepares students for formal school enrollment or transition to higher academic levels. We work with families to ensure continued educational support.

  • School readiness assessments
  • Formal school enrollment support
  • Progress tracking and reporting
  • Continued mentorship and follow-up
A proud student reflecting academic excellence

Step 4 — Progress & Academic Excellence

Enrollment & Transparency

60+

Enrolled Students

400+

Total Volunteers

3+

Years Running

100%

Donation Transparency

Financial Transparency

SAWS is committed to full financial transparency. Every donation received is logged and allocated directly to student education — covering stationery, books, uniforms, and operational costs for our outdoor camp. Donors are regularly updated on how their contributions make a difference.

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Our Team

The People Behind SAWS

Our multi-tiered team of passionate leaders, coordinators, and executives keeps SAWS running every single day.

Zahra Amer

Zahra Amer

Executive Director

Leadership
Laiba Farooq

Laiba Farooq

Executive Lead

Leadership
Saghir

Saghir

Executive Officer

Leadership
Haroon Rashid

Haroon Rashid

Executive Officer

Leadership
Emaan Mehmood

Emaan Mehmood

Executive Officer

Leadership
Amna Idrees

Amna Idrees

Head Coordinator

Coordination
Adina Munir

Adina Munir

Program Coordinator

Programs
Abdullah Hassan

Abdullah Hassan

Field Coordinator

Field Ops
Wajiha Ali

Wajiha Ali

Community Coordinator

Community
Naeem Murtaza

Naeem Murtaza

Finance Coordinator

Finance
Sr. Executive 01

Sr. Executive 01

Senior Executive

Senior Exec
Sr. Executive 02

Sr. Executive 02

Senior Executive

Senior Exec
Sr. Executive 03

Sr. Executive 03

Senior Executive

Senior Exec
Sr. Executive 04

Sr. Executive 04

Senior Executive

Senior Exec
Director — Finance

Director — Finance

Finance Director

Finance
Director — Content

Director — Content

Content Director

Content
Director — Outreach

Director — Outreach

Outreach Director

Outreach
Director — Graphics

Director — Graphics

Graphics Director

Graphics