USAID Signs Over Half a Million Dollars Partnership Agreement with Saba Homes

USAID has approved a grant application for the construction of a Saba School Project in Rawalpindi, Pakistan that happens to be a revolutionary educational project, the first of its kind in the country.
United States Aid Agency for International Development (USAID) which is one of the leading donor agencies around the world, has some tough policies and procedures to follow. Hence, for an organization to be able to receive a grant and become partners with USAID, it has to go through a tough and lengthy evaluation and assessment process. Competition is also a tough challenge as hundreds and thousands of organizations apply to USAID for grants.
Saba Homes (SH) was thoroughly vetted by USAID for this opportunity to emerge. USAID vigorously assessed all aspects SH operations, including its history and background, HR practices, financial picture, and other metrics, utilizing several teams to cross-check the information. After over two years of detailed audit, Saba Homes was validated as an organization meeting international standards and worthy of being a trusted partner.
USAID technical team examines thoroughly, looks at each and every aspect of finances, including transparency, accountability, internal controls, etc. Multiple teams from USAID visited Saba Homes at different times to evaluate and assess its working from different angles:
1. Program – How the program is implemented and what improvement it is making in the life of the orphan girls
2. Technical – Capacity of Saba Homes in terms of dealing with the technical aspects of its program.
3. Financial - USAID checked all Saba Home credentials, track record, background, history, reputation, and most important of all, the way SH handles finances, reputation and credibility of audit,its transparent, impeccable track record of the past half-a-century.
“Thanks to Allah SWT, the lengthy process of over two years, constant efforts by our staff and several changes in the program framework, the program was approved,” says a Saba Home message. It goes on to add: “Alhamdulillah, our consistent and impeccable track record spanning over half a century was one of the main factors leading to USAID approving our grant request. Each of the USAID team members that visited Saba Homes loved the project as a shining example of what Saba Homes is able to accomplish.”
During one of the visits, the USAID team witnessed how orphan girls are taken care of. They were speechless. One of the team members said, “I have never seen a model like this, it’s unique.” Saba girls told the visitors, “We are orphans no more. We have Mama and Papa who not only love us but actually spend good amount of quality time with us every single day. We have learned so much from our family hour which takes place every single day. We have learned a lot from Mama. Papa takes part occasionally but when he does spend his time with us, we benefit immensely from him as he always motivates us with his knowledge and experience. We are really moved with what he shares with us.
“Papa started an innovative method for us to benefit more from our family hour. Instead of papa giving us advice or correcting some of us, he invited us to appoint three judges from among us. We thought that was truly marvelous. Sometime papa even asks the person concerned that she should tell us what could have been the best method. Above all it was so unique, new, and innovative that we were all excited about and it helped us all tremendously.”
One visitor asked, “Why are you spending so much money per child?” Saghir Aslam’s response was, “If their parents have died, why should they not be treated like we treat our own children? Why should they be treated like orphans?. Our commitment is to give them the best so that they can become peaceful, peace-loving future leaders, and we all know leaders don’t come cheap. We could have hundreds and thousands of children but could we maintain the same quality? No, that would be impossible. This program is about quality, not quantity. It’s a leadership program. Once they go out to serve their communities after completing their education,the few dozen orphan girls will be able to change many other children’s lives in a positive way. They are taught: we are born to serve.”
The total cost of the project is $$632,243 including:
i. USAID grant: $337,243
ii. Land value: $165,000 (donated by Founding Chairman)
iii. Saba Homes share: $130,000
Saba Homes needs to raise the remaining $185,000 as its contribution towards the construction of the school project. Please donate today. Write your checks to: Saba Homes and mail to:950 South Coast Drive, Suite 202, Costa Mesa CA 92626. You can also donate online: www.sabatrust.org
Other Partners: Rotary International, Lions Club, Serena Hotels, LDS Church
All Donations are Tax Deductible – 501(c)3 Tax ID # 33-0716944
Disclaimer:This “Building Saba School” is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility of Saba Aslam Education and Welfare Trust and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

Anti-Fraud Hotline: "USAID/Pakistan has, in cooperation with the USAID Office of Inspector General, established the Anti-Fraud Hotline to provide an avenue for the reporting of fraud, waste, and abuse which may be associated with USAID funded projects in Pakistan. Complaints are handled with complete confidentiality and individuals are encouraged to report when corruption, fraud, waste or abuse may exist in the USAID/Pakistan projects. Reports can be filed anonymously via the easy-to-use Hotline (toll free number 0800 84700); e-mail at complaints@anti-fraudhotline.com; fax at 021-35390410; postal address at 5-C, 2nd Floor Khayban-e-Ittehad, Phase VII, DHA, Karachi, Pakistan; and on the website www.anti-fraudhotline.com."