Assisting indigent children

 The hallmark of CEENA is the establishment of Empowerment Centre for Children with Social Disadvantages. This centre is unique and single centre in the entire Gilgit-Baltistan which provides accommodation, education, healthcare and other amenities of life to the most deserving and destitute orphaned children.

The centre currently houses 103 children, all came from impoverished and precarious backgrounds. These children are now showing incredible performance in curricular and co-curricular activities. With the conducive learning environment, proper nurturing, care and guidance; these children are shaping their future careers which will not only lead to a prosperous life for their families but also be befitting for the region as they would be in a better position to contribute for the development and prosperity of the area.

Saving innocent lives

Another unaddressed area is the rescue and protection of abandoned babies throughout the region. These babies are the most vulnerable as they are left abandoned or mercilessly killed due to social taboos and restrictions.  

Securing and protecting the lives of unwanted and abandoned babies and children is a massive challenge particularly in Northern Pakistan.  In these areas, individuals or members of a society are better known through their ancestral roots and tribe lineage. Birth of a baby outside of wedlock of the couple is a serious taboo and considered a dishonor to the family.  As a result many innocent babies are killed or abandoned in order to preserve family and tribal respect.  CEENA ensures their protection, proper care and nourishment.  

CEENA also facilitates their adoption into loving homes. The entire process is carried out with full compliance of all the relevant legal and statutory requirements (i.e.) the Court of Guardian and Ward Judge is the sole authority in deciding the placement of such babies. CEENA provides transitional shelter until the completion of the adoption process.

Since inception, the Center has saved 67 precious lives and has successfully placed all these babies for adoption. CEENA keeps regular communication and follow-up with the adoptive parents to ensure that the adopted babies are in caring hands.  By placing these children in loving adoptive homes all over the world, these babies will enjoy a life of endless possibilities.

Support for out-of-school children

One of the key challenges in Gilgit-Baltistan is the low literacy rate and lack of educational facilities. In many of the isolated areas, schools have been established but parents are not in a position to bear the cost of their children’s education. For this purpose, Ceena conducted a survey of out of school children and provided support to the neediest students in terms of their school fee, uniforms and books. Some of these children have been accommodated at CEENA’s Empowerment Centre; now they are continuing their education with hope and optimism.

Medical Relief Services (MRS)

In the beginning, CEENA provided medical relief services to the neediest patients coming from different villages of Gilgit-Baltistan. In this regard, CEENA pays the hospital charges, medicines and consultation fee. With special focus on needy women from far flung areas, CEENA has so far catered to the needs of hundreds of patients coming from different valleys.

1.     Patients’ Referral Service (PRS)

Given the fact that medical services in the Northern Areas do not suffice to the needs of the area, patients need to travel to other parts of Pakistan for treatment. In this regard, CEENA has provided referral services to a number of patients and all their expenses have been borne including travel.

2.     Life saving drugs for needy patients

As indicated above, a large portion of the population in these mountainous areas lives in extreme poverty. For them purchasing medicines is a tall order. CEENA has been providing assistance to many patients who needed expensive drugs to save their lives.

Established first Blood Bank 

CEENA has the credit to establish first Blood Bank in Gilgit-Baltistan. This service was initiated at such a time, when there was no concept of blood donations. The members of CEENA donated blood to many patients which not only helped saving precious lives but also helped in raising awareness about blood donations. 

Health Awareness Programs

Lack of awareness about health has been one of the major causes of diseases in the Gilgit-Baltistan. Since the beginning, CEENA has organized a number of health awareness programs in different isolated locations of Gilgit-Baltistan to raise awareness about emerging issues and assist communities in health related matters.