Our Stars

In the congested lanes of lanes of the old town, Srinagar, resides 20-year-old Iqra. Living in the accommodation provided by her aunt, Iqra with her three sisters and mother, dream of a stable future.

After her father passed away in 2012, the family came under our care. "We were kicked out from our father's house and my mother had to start from nothing. It was this Project that became her support. She refused to marry again and worked hard to provide for us with all the necessities," Iqra says with pride.

Presently, graduating in the arts field, Iqra is not just brilliant at her studies but is also a national football player too. She was passionate towards sports in her high school and with assistance from Caravan she was able to train properly. So far, she has played in various states of India, including Mumbai, Haryana, Punjab, and others.

In a barely lit room, Iqra is currently diverting her energy in preparing for the IAS exams. She aims to become an IAS officer, which will not only be a means

to fulfil her dreams but will also assist in securing a home for herself and her family, in sha Allah.

Maroofa became part of our family in the year 2012, when she was only ten years old. The task of educating Maroofa was taken up and we were able to give wings to her dreams.

Grown up into a confident young lady, she is currently graduating in political science. "Everyone has a hard life in one way or another, but one should not give up.

There are always ways. We were provided with financial aid and my hard work and dedication made it possible for me to be who I am today," says Maroofa.

She was a child when her father passed away but remembers the struggle of her mother and their fight with poverty. Despite all the challenges Maroofa has

also managed to complete a diploma in system management. Besides this, she is now imparting her knowledge and education to her neighbouring children. In the year 2019, when Kashmir was mostly under lockdown, she started her coaching classes that helped these children complete their studies. "Seeing the local kids not being able to go to school, I thought to tutor them. I talked to the project team about the idea, and they provided me with all the necessities that a coaching centre requires. Since then, I have continued teaching kids of my locality," she says. Maroofa now aims to do a Master's in Sociology, in sha Allah.

From The Caravan team, we would like to thank our supporters for enabling us to bring hope and direction to our children.

Jazakumullah!

Ufaira Farooq joined the family of Caravan in 2013. Ufaira vividly remembers the struggle of her mother when her father passed away and when they had to leave their home. The life of this mother-daughter duo is nothing but inspirational.

Ufaira was in 9th class when her mother was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine tumour which put her mother on dialysis. In the year 2018, while preparing for her 12th examination, her mother received severe burn injuries in an accident, but Ufaira still managed to pass the exam with 90% marks.

"My life has been about shifting from one rented room to another which has disrupted my studies. But I find ways to manage. I usually do not study during the day because mum keeps cooking and cleaning, so I prefer night. However, that disturbs mum's sleep because I keep the light on," she narrates with a smile.

She further adds that Caravan became their hope in their most difficult time. "Presence of The Shade Trust in our lives feels like there is someone with us and we are not alone in this struggle. My education would have been impossible without Caravan’s support and encouragement." Although brilliant at her studies she cannot move outside for further studies because of her ailing mother. "I want to apply for national and international scholarships, but I cannot leave my mother alone. So, whatever I have to do, I have to do it from here. I am studying hard so that one day I can crack IAS exams" she adds.

Presently, living in a single rented room, Ufaira dreams of becoming financially independent to give her mother a better life. With no stable home, Ufaira's constant worry is the frequent shifting they keep doing. "We keep changing places when rents get high which puts a lot of pressure on both of us. It is both mentally and physically exhausting especially for my mother because of her deteriorating health," she explains.

Despite all the adversities life has thrown at her, Ufaira has grown into a strong woman. Along with her studies, she has a memorised two juz of the Holy Qur'an and she finds refuge in art and painting too.

Caravan has witnessed the journey of these two brave women closely. The Shade Trust feels honoured to be a part of the family and will be with them for as long as needed, in sha Allah. We pray for Ufaira's continued success; she is one of Caravan's beloved members.

Shireen became part of our family in the year 2010 when she was just five. After her father passed away in a tragic road accident, Shireen, along with her two sisters and mother, were left behind. As the lone bread earner of the family was taken away, the family was in great need.

This is when we met the family. Shireen describes this meeting as the "light that appeared in their lives when they needed it the most". Shireen has grown up into a soft-spoken and humble person who is currently doing her PG in English and has completed a computer course. Besides this, Shireen is well versed in the art of sewing which expands her abilities to support her family financially. We are proud to have Shireen as our member and pray for her well-being into the future.

Snober stays busy in her testing lab, wearing the blue apron, she remains immersed in her work. Snober was in the 7th standard when her father passed away after a long illness. In the year 2012, Shade Trust took under its wing, the family of Snober, which began with a monthly financial aid to cover the education of Snober.

Going down memory lane, Snober narrates her journey when she was a kid. "My mother went into clinical depression after my father passed away. Life has never been easy after that. The health of my mother only got worse since then. However, after Almighty Allah, this project became the beacon in our darkest phase. From the medication of my mother to my education, they supported us in everything".

After passing her 12th standard, Snober started working hard to take the NEET exam. But unfortunately, she missed it by a few points. She tried to appear again the next year but had to let go of the opportunity because of her ailing mother.

In the year 2017, she got selected for CET and is presently training as a pathologist in a well-reputed laboratory of Srinagar. Snober aims to do her master's in Pathology. Happy and proud of her journey, Snober terms her immense faith in Allah as the reason which keeps her going despite independently

handling the financial and other burdens of the family. "Alhamdulillah, I never let sadness and hopelessness catch me. Whenever I feel anxious, I just sit on my prayer mat and have a conversation with Allah. I cry, laugh, scream but once I am done, I do not look back. That is my ultimate strength." We pray for all our children to gain such strength and faith.

Airaf, 20, joined us when he was just ten years old. Now, as a quiet and hard-working boy, his mother describes him as a loving and obedient son. The family of Airaf came under our care in the year 2012. After his father passed away in the year 2011, the family was shattered with no financial support.

Narrating the story of their hardships, mother of Airaf terms the presence of our project in their life as a mercy from Allah. "After the Almighty Allah, it's this companionship and support that saved us. I was battling many things at the time. Be it my depression, education of my kids, or other financial necessities, I

was sinking under all these burdens until we were contacted and shown a new hope."

"My mother managed everything. After Abu Ji passed away, she played the role of both parents. She is the real warrior of our struggle," Airaf adds. He recently completed his diploma in Medical Lab Technology and aims to graduate in the same field. We ask our supporters to pray for our children and their families, for their success in this life and the next.