MINGORA: The women living in the local Darul Aman and virtually impaired children have thanked the civil society organisations and local philanthropists for providing daily use items to them.

They received mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits and warm clothes after Deputy Commissioner Amir Afaq paid surprised visits to Darul Aman and blind institute where he found shortage of the required items. The official sought support of humanitarian organisations and local philanthropists to provide those items to the two institutes.

The women in Darul Aman said that there was shortage of mattresses, blankets and hygiene kits due to which they faced difficulties. “About 20 women did not have mattresses and blankets so some would either use old mattresses or two women would share one mattress and blanket. Now the issue has been resolved as every woman got mattress and blanket,” said Tamana, a girl who has been staying in Darul Aman for the last seven months.

Nowsheen, the warden of Darul Aman, said that they did not have towels, soap and other daily use items for every woman so the women would suffer from skin disease. “Now all the 75 women living here got special hygiene kits,” she added. Fifteen children at the blind institute also got mattresses and blankets along with shoes, warm clothes and sports items.

“It is good to have new mattress and quilts in winter but I am personally excited for the geysers as now we get warm water in this cold weather,” said Aurangzeb, a visually impaired boy.

Daniyal Aziz, another visually impaired boy, said that for many days he felt cold as he did not have warm clothes and shoes but then he had both of them for which he felt happy.

Zafar Ali Kaka, who leads a group of local philanthropists, said that it was the duty and responsibility of the entire society to take care of such people and help them to fulfil their needs.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2017