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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.

Where We Teach

Liaquat Bagh Outdoor Camp

Our teaching takes place at the iconic Liaquat Bagh park in Rawalpindi, breaking barriers to bring quality education out in the open. 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

Liaquat Bagh Physical Camp Setting
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.

View Donation Details

"SAWS was built on a simple belief—that every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves a path to a brighter future through education."

Dr. Fatima Khaliq

Founder & Mentor, SAWS

Batch 44, RMU

Our Team

The People Behind SAWS

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

Zahra Amer

Executive Director

Leadership

Laiba Farooq

Executive Lead

Leadership

Saghir

Executive Officer

Leadership

Haroon Rashid

Executive Officer

Leadership

Emaan Mehmood

Executive Officer

Leadership

Amna Idrees

Head Coordinator

Coordination

Adina Munir

Program Coordinator

Programs

Abdullah Hassan

Field Coordinator

Field Ops

Wajiha Ali

Community Coordinator

Community

Naeem Murtaza

Finance Coordinator

Finance

Sr. Executive 01

Senior Executive

Senior Exec

Sr. Executive 02

Senior Executive

Senior Exec

Sr. Executive 03

Senior Executive

Senior Exec

Sr. Executive 04

Senior Executive

Senior Exec

Director — Finance

Finance Director

Finance

Director — Content

Content Director

Content

Director — Outreach

Outreach Director

Outreach

Director — Graphics

Graphics Director

Graphics