Access to quality education remains one of the most pressing development challenges in Pakistan. In remote areas like Tharparkar, Sindh, geography, poverty, and harsh weather conditions often keep children away from classrooms.
To bridge this gap, Zong has partnered with the Alkhidmat Foundation to establish climate-resilient community schools. This initiative focuses on creating safe, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments so children in underserved areas can enjoy uninterrupted education.
Bringing Classrooms Closer to Home: The Chownra Schools
For many children in the remote villages of Tharparkar, formal education was once a distant dream. Through this partnership, Zong and the Alkhidmat Foundation established Chownra Schools in areas like Chopni Wasai Pota in Mithi and Sono Ki Dhani in Islamkot.
Following detailed community assessments, the project focused on building and renovating local educational infrastructure to withstand local climate challenges. The initiative didn’t stop at building walls; it provided:
Comfortable school furniture and vibrant learning materials
Proper sanitation facilities to ensure health and hygiene
Secure boundary walls to create safe, child-friendly environments
Today, these schools serve approximately 80 students from underserved backgrounds, boasting an impressive attendance rate of nearly 85%. By bringing classrooms right to the doorsteps of these communities, the project has successfully broken down barriers to learning and significantly boosted school enrollment, particularly for young girls.
Aligning with Global Goals for Lasting Impact
This initiative directly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). It serves as a powerful blueprint for how corporate-NGO partnerships can drive equitable development and foster long-term community resilience.
“Zong strongly believes that access to education is a catalyst for inclusive growth and sustainable community development. Through our partnership with Alkhidmat Foundation, we are enabling access to safe, resilient and quality learning environments in the underserved areas of Tharparkar. This initiative reflects our commitment to empowering children, especially girls, through education, while fostering long-term socio-economic progress and more resilient communities.” — Nabila Yazdani, Head of Strategy, Communications and Sustainability at Zong
A Shared Vision for Community Empowerment
The collaboration between Zong and the Alkhidmat Foundation has evolved into a deep, multi-faceted partnership dedicated to upliftment across Sindh through healthcare, education, and welfare programs.
Dr. Syed Tabassum Jaffri, President of Alkhidmat Foundation Sindh, highlighted the value of this ongoing relationship:
“Zong’s continued support for humanitarian and community development initiatives reflects a strong commitment toward inclusive growth and sustainable impact. The establishment of these schools marks an important step in strengthening access to quality education in remote areas and empowering communities through long-term development.”
Looking Ahead to an Equitable Future
By investing heavily in primary education, Zong is doing more than just building schools—it is building a foundation for long-term social impact. Through these strategic partnerships, the company continues to champion the cause of underserved populations across Pakistan, paving the way for a more equitable, empowered, and digitally inclusive tomorrow.
