In 2011, in order to develop community outreach and advocacy on newer grounds of sustainability for the society, FFC management approved creation of SONA WELFARE FOUNDATION (SWF), officially registered as Non-Profit Organization (NPO) and ever since then has been an implementation partner for the parent in matters of sustainability and social welfare.Taking the name from our brand name “SONA” and having sense of deep gratitude and compassion for the nation it serves, having recognition from Pakistan Centre of Philanthropy and running mega social welfare projects nationwide. An overview of some of the projects of SWF are numerated below: -
In collaboration with Akhuwat Micro Finance has started a project in which underprivileged communities are being provided interest free small revolving loans for sustainable development of entrepreneurship. It’s a matter of great pride and satisfaction that the system adopted is ensuring 99.97% return rate.
During the COVID 19 pandemic, widening economic inequality due to lockdowns, climate crisis, just to name a few, these complex challenges intertwine and overlap, providing financial support amid an economic crisis. Standing with the nation SWF initiatives. In order to cushion the impact of the crisis on these segments, and to ensure their access to essential daily ration items, realizing the need SWF prepared a relief program on emergency basis.
Under its Scholarship program, SWF provides many scholarship opportunities to deserving students across the country.
This program is specifically launched to support higher/Post Matric education of wards of farmer community holding less than 50 – acres of land. Every year 67 students across the country are provided with scholarships with special focus on students belonging to FATA and Baluchistan. This program was launched in 2006.
SWF provides need based scholarships to deserving students across the country. 20 Scholarships are exclusively provided to deserving candidates of Rahim Yar Khan area every year. This program was launched in 2013
SWF also has extensive programs for promising students through collaborations with other recognized NPOs, details are as under: -
i. SWF sponsors 36 higher education scholarships and 6 diploma courses in Engineering education in collaboration with Al- Mujtaba Trust.
ii. Every year minimum of 8 x student’s ex-Sona Welfare Society (SWS) securing good positions in the board exams are sponsored for higher education through Cadet College Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo.
SWF has comprehensive school adoption program which extends infrastructure, education, study aid and other admin support to Govt schools and colleges in selected area. Currently the program is working in Goth Machhi, Sadiqabad area where 5 x Govt schools have been adopted benefitting 1930 x students by providing qualified teachers, teacher training, provision of books and stationary items, library facilities and other admin support to the school.
SWF provides assistance to Govt Schools in building of necessary infrastructure, rehabilitation and upgradation of its facility like provision of furniture, books for libraries and other necessities for good running schools to provide learning environment to students in far flung areas around Mirpur Mathelo and Goth Machhi Plantsites. More than 200 Schools have benefitted from this program so far.
School has been established with an aim to provide quality education to the poor and needy children of Mirpur Mathelo and surrounding areas of District Ghotki. Present strength of the students are 1021. As compared to the other local institutes free of cost education is provided to 500 x students out of the present strength and rest of the students at subsidized fee structure held on yearly basis.
SWF Health Program is designed to look after the marginalized and poor communities. Our health program exclusively focuses on surroundings of Mirpur Mathelo and Goth Machhi area.
Yearly donation to HBT catering to civilian population of approx. 35,000 with following facilities and services.
i. A 25 bedded facility equipped with Eye Ward, X-Ray, Labs and outdoor patients (OPD).
ii. Free consultation and other medical facilities at no profit no loss basis.
iii. Provision of medicine for Hepatitis to workers and local population.
iv. Eye surgery at very low rates.
SWH is SWF’s flagship health initiative, which is serving the underprivileged and deserving community of Mirpur Mathelo with mostly free of cost as well as subsidized health services. SWH has state of the art facilities, and a special unit for Mother and Child healthcare under the supervision of a dedicated lady doctor. Annually, over 14,000 patients are being treated at the facility which is a stamp on its reputation as one of the best medical center in the area.
District Ghotki is also the worst hit district in Pakistan due to Hepatitis C, with over 17% of the population suffering with Hep C. SWF assisted the treatment of poor patients who could not afford Hep “C” medicine.
To raise awareness across the globe on Breast Cancer, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) conducts campaigns for maximized reach out and awareness. For this, they requested SWF to partner for the cause in a program scheduled at Sona Tower Mall Road, Rawalpindi which included illumination of Tower Building in Pink, donation for the treatment of patients at SKMCH&RC and awareness campaigns for communities of Goth Machhi and Mirpur Mathelo were also carried out.
Besides helping people in need on humanitarian grounds directly, SWF actively seeks productive collaborations for assistance to needy in health related projects, during the current year Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to procure state of the art mobile blood donation vehicle.
Being a responsible organization, SWF is undertaking different measures to mitigate environmental degradation not only astride its Plantsites but all over in Pakistan. During the year thousands of trees were planted in and around the plantsite areas under three well planned tree plantation drives. This aspect is a continuous feature of our SWF Program and contributes to reducing environmental burden on our infrastructure and society.
Sport is also an important enabler of sustainable development. SWF recognizes the growing contribution of sport to the realization of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and of young people, individuals and communities as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Accordingly, SWF supports and encourages different sport activities around both plantsite and all around Pakistan.