Academic Successes and Laurels for Saba Home Girls
“Thanks to Allah SubhanuhuWa’taalah, our daughter Quarrat-Ul-Ain Anwar has obtained the coveted first position in the Bachelor of Commerce examination this year,” says an elated Saghir Aslam, LA’s well-known philanthropist, who has founded the Saba Homes, a state-of-the-art facility, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Spread over a covered area of 65,893 sq.ft. the expansive campus provides much more than basic lodging and boarding to the young inmates who have lost their parents and found a cushy abode with household comforts enjoyed by middle- and upper middle class strata of Pakistan society. What matters most is the abounding affection of Mama Bushra and guidance of Papa Saghir that light up the life of the girls. They live in stimulating conditions especially suited for character-building and academic pursuits.
“We are extremely thankful to Allah SubhanuhuWa’taalah that our efforts to bring up the girls as our own daughters are beginning to bear fruit. Our cherished dreams are coming true.
“MashAllah, Qurrat beat her peers, came out at the top in her class, and secured first position in the college exams holding her head high and earning laurels for Saba Homes. Rightly, she thanks Allah ST to have blessed her with such crowning success.”
“Qurrat-ul-Ain Anwar is one of our daughters who wants to join the Army,” informs Mama Bushra approvingly. The young girl has ambitions. She is not content with a mere commission in the Army. She is keen to make history. Several women have served as generals in the Army’s Medical Corps. Why not be a general who enjoys ascendancy over all others? “Insha Allah I will be the first woman to be the Chief of Staff,” she expresses her fervent resolve. “I will be disciplined, I will work hard, reaching new milestones to prove women are the best.”
Qurrat-ul-Ain Anwar has a great deal to recall about her setbacks and successes in life:
I have been in Saba Homes for the last ten years. I have a sister and 3 brothers. My father died in a road accident and after his death it seemed that everything was lost. My mother could not afford our education. I was good in studies and was keen to continue my education. After some time, my uncle informed my mother about Saba Homes. It was a very delicate situation, a critical moment, but my mother decided to bring us here because she wanted to provide us good education. Soon, I found myself in Saba Homes. Saba means a breath of fresh air and the home lived up to its name. There was hope. My life changed dramatically.
It was difficult for me to adjust in the beginning and I used to cry. With the love, affection and care of Mama (MrsBushra Aslam) and Papa (MrSaghir Aslam) I was able to adjust. Love and affection are the basic need of every human being and a balm for torturous times.
I began to find Saba Homes like my own home. It became a family for me. I made many friends among the Saba sisters. I gained insightful knowledge about deen and dunya at my new dwelling.
Mama and Papa have played a vital role in building our character. They encourage us to love and respect everyone regardless of their religion, race or country. We share their vision of working together and eliminating prejudice and hate.
I was admitted in Grade 3. Today, I am in the final year of Bachelor’s. I have always excelled in my class and recently secured the first position in college exams. Mama and Papa are very happy with my progress as they consider it the personal triumph of their endeavors. They want to see us excel in our studies like shining stars. They celebrated my success with a large party. It was a memorable day.
As everyone has a dream in life, my dream is to join the Pakistan Army. My second career option is to become a banker. I am working hard to achieve my goals and all credit for my progress goes to the encouragement and care of our beloved Mama and Papa.
I am thankful to Allah S.T. that He has blessed me with this great opportunity. Papa has taught us that we are born to serve. And this is a place where I am ready to serve. May Allah S.T. shower His countless Blessings on Mama and Papa and give us the strength to realize their dreams (Ameen!).
Besides school, we have many opportunities to visit the neighboring sightseeing attractions like Murree, Kashmir, and Abbottabad as well as historical places like KillahRohtassMardan, Taxila Museum, KalarKahar, and Badshahi Mosque, Shalimar Gardens, Minar-e-Pakistan, etc. in Lahore
With Mama and Papa, we often go to McDonald, KFC, Ice Cream Parlor, Hardees, etc. We also go on a walk with Papa to Ayub Park and Bahria, which concludes with a feast of HalwaPuri delicacies.
Mama has played a great role in our lives by imparting us the true teachings of Islam and reminding us of the great advices of our Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) and telling us about Khualfa-e-Rashadeen and the Prophet’s wives. The way Mama patiently works with us since the very first day - to guide, advise, taking us to school and bringing back - is indelibly etched on my mind. Her kindness, I will never forget. Nor her strenuous efforts to teach us to cook and attend to routine daily chores of work-a-day life. Papa, whose fitness is the envy of many in his age group, has taught us yoga and other exercises. In all these strivings, the Saba Home Pledge to respect and love everyone in this world is unwaveringly repeated and practiced every day. We have learned the real Islam, a faith of peace and love.
Besides, Saba Girls repeat the motivational lines daily while looking in the mirror. They express gratitude to Allah ST for all His Blessings, smile and repeat:
1) I am brave and the best,
2) I can do that no one can do in this world,
3) I will get first position in the class,
4) I will promote the name of Saba Homes and my country Pakistan and make it like “Madinatul Munawwara”,
5) I will lead the world, others will follow me,
6) May Allah S.T. bestow upon our Papa and Mama and our two sisters Aisha Aslam and Sima Aslam His Blessings and keep them always happy, prosperous and healthy with a long life.
What makes Saba Homes Unique?
Why should we treat orphans like orphan, just because their parents have passed away? Saba Homes respects and honors the orphans as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. The desire of the Founding Chairman and his wife to establish Saba Homes was to ensure that children in this unique institution will receive the love, respect and attention they deserve and their cultural and personal aspirations will be nurtured in a safe and modern environment.
The inspiring outcome of these sustained efforts are:
ü 17 of Saba girls received A+ and A
ü 2 girls received AA++, one girl got 100% marks
ü 1 girl got admission to University in Masters of Commerce on merit
ü Most Saba girls are prefect in their class
The 2008 account of an administrator testifies to the success story of Saba Homes:
“I was at home on Eid vacations along with the rest of the staff and our little angels. The day after Eid my phone rang and I found a guardian at the other end. ‘When are you going back to Saba Homes? My daughter wants to come home with you’. Then came another phone, and another, and yet another, with each caller relaying the same message: the girls are crying , they want to return to Saba Homes now, everyone begs me to go back to Saba Homes as soon as possible. I was literally shocked that so many guardians called and each one invariably said the girls missed Mama and Papa. We had never received such love and affection in our lives. We want to come home, hold and embrace Mama, Papa, and spend our Eid with them. There is no Eid for us without Mama and Papa. They have given us true love and respect,” the girls said.
Such a show of affection and endearment is not surprising. At Saba Homes, Mama and Papa spend time with the girls, discuss their issues, listen to their concerns and ideas, observe and help them when needed. Mama sleeps with a daughter when she is sick and in need of special care and even with her diabetic condition she gives the youngest orphan girls bath and gets them ready like any mother would. Family hours is the time when the girls sit with Mama and Papa to discuss issues and find solutions to them. Most importantly, every girl receives special care. If needed, Mama accompanies them to a doctor. The girls are not left alone and Mama ensures she is always accompanying them to school.
Perhaps, Mama surpasses Papa in all respects and performs her duties above and beyond the call of a real mother.
Character building in the light of the teachings of Islam enjoys primacy in all teaching programs at Saba Homes. The girls are taught:
1. Taqwa (refraining from evils and undesired actions with fear and love of Allah S.T.)
2. Islah (reform)
3. Akhlaq (good relations) Good relations with others are as important as Taqwa and Islah. “I heard the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) say: The believer reaches by his good manners the ranks of the person who spends every night standing in prayers.
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