Volunteers In Action
Building Bridges of Care: Dr. Mumtaz Virji’s Visit to FMIC
18 December 2024
Dr. Mumtaz Virji, a seasoned pediatrician with over two decades of experience at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, Canada, recently visited the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC) in Kabul. Her 20-day visit was a deeply enriching experience that highlighted both the challenges and successes of delivering high-quality healthcare in one of the world’s most resource-constrained regions.
From Canada to Kabul: A Nurse's Mission of Care and Hope
26 November 2024
Laila Rafique, a Registered Nurse from Ontario, Canada, embodies the spirit of service and dedication. A proud graduate of the Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi, Pakistan, her journey has been one of perseverance, professional growth, and gratitude. With over 22 years of experience, including a decade in critical care, Laila now helps shape the future of nursing as an instructor in Toronto.
Dedicated to Change: A TKN Nurse’s Mission at FMIC
26 November 2024
Nazleen Somani's inspiring journey spans continents, exemplifying the life-changing power of nursing and volunteerism. Born in Pakistan, she grew up in a resource-constrained household that prioritized education above all else. Her introduction to nursing at Aga Khan University (AKU) was unexpected but transformative. It set the foundation for a remarkable career, one marked by defying societal norms and pursuing her passion against the odds. She earned a diploma in nursing, followed by a Bachelor’s degree and an MBA—achievements that signified the beginning of a career defined by excellence and commitment.
Training the Global CAB System: 10 Years Later
13 August 2024
The peaceful resolution of disputes within the community is of utmost importance, as recalled in the following saying of Hazrat Ali:
“Do not separate yourself from your brother unless you have exhausted every approach in trying to put things right with him... Do not be harsh with your brother out of suspicion, and do not separate from him without first having tried to reason with him... Seek reconciliation with your brother, even if he throws dust at you.”
Highly accomplished Power and Solar Systems Engineer makes significant TKN contribution
8 July 2024
Faruq Vishram, a Power and Solar Systems Engineer based in Edmonton, has served as an exemplary TKN volunteer with AKDN and Jamati institutions over the past several years. This article highlights some of the key projects he has been involved with.
Canadian Dental Hygiene Educator makes key contribution at AKU Pakistan
10 June 2024
The Associate of Science in Dental Health (ASDH) program at the Aga Khan University (AKU) aims to bring awareness to dental hygiene as a crucial goal for the dental team in providing preventive care and patient education, especially in rural areas where access to care is limited. The program represents the university’s effort to improve healthcare outcomes in Pakistan. It focuses on both training skilled Dental Hygienists and raising awareness about the profession’s critical role within the dental team. It also provides the Dental Hygienist with the skills required to perform essential services such as oral cancer screening, examining teeth for signs of oral disease or damage, and educating patients on how to improve and maintain oral health. Dental hygienists are instrumental in the early detection of dental issues, which facilitates referrals to dentists and specialists.
Driving change: a TKN volunteer's dedication to sustainability
28 May 2024
Dr Ashak Nathwani AM, based in Sydney, Australia, is a shining example of dedication and commitment to the Ismaili Community's Time & Knowledge Nazrana (TKN) initiative. His journey as a TKN volunteer is a testament to his passion for service and his unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable solutions.
Advancing Resilience in Naryn Municipal Capacity Through GIS Technologies
28 March 2024
The University of Central Asia (UCA), in partnership with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat and the Aga Khan Foundation and with support from the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) office in Kyrgyzstan, is implementing an innovative five-year “Naryn Urban Resilience Programme” (NURP) in the mountainous town of Naryn in Kyrgyzstan where UCA’s campus is located. The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and AKDN jointly fund NURP.
Path to Excellence: Consultant Pathologist Dr. Zahir Moloo's pivotal contribution at FMIC Afghanistan
15 January 2024
In the bustling corridors of the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC) in Kabul, an unsung hero quietly navigated the intricate world of pathology – Dr. Zahir Moloo, a TKN volunteer and seasoned Consultant Pathologist from Canada. His comprehensive TKN assignment focused on transformation within FMIC's Department of Pathology, closely collaborating with and receiving valuable assistance from Dr. Maseh Haidray, the Head of the Department, and Mohammad Edris Wahdey, Assistant Manager Laboratory. They worked together on an ambitious change strategy that focused on several vital healthcare processes in the institution.
Pakistan’s Crossroads Youth Camp: A Nexus of Formative Experiences
13 October 2023
Based on Mawlana Hazar Imam’s guidance, the Crossroads Youth Camp is designed to nurture pluralistic and ethically grounded youth who can look to their future with hope and become ambassadors for the Jamat. It seeks to cater to the needs and aspirations of youth aged 12 to 14 years who are confronted with multifaceted contemporary challenges in their personal and professional lives.
Rooting for resilience: Restoring coastal lifelines in East Africa
1 October 2023
Coastal ecosystems, often referred to as “nature's green lungs,” serve as a critical line of defense against climate change, while protecting vulnerable shorelines, and sustaining rich biodiversity. This year, the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) recruited Dr Hafeez Jamal on a TKN assignment to help design a community and ecosystem-based approach to coastal regeneration in Kenya and Tanzania.
Dedicated TKN volunteer serves on seven high-impact international assignments
31 August 2023
The University of Central Asia (UCA) is an internationally chartered, secular, private, not-for-profit university with a mission to improve the quality of life of mountain societies. It was founded in 2000 through an International Treaty signed by the Ismaili Imamat together with the Governments of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, ratified by their respective parliaments and registered with the United Nations. UCA’s three campuses, nestled in rural mountainous towns along the historic Silk Road, are at the heart of the economic, social, and intellectual transformation taking place in the region.
