The gleam in the eye, the glimmer of hope, the warm smile on the face, the happiness within is all refreshing as he steps into the gates. His gait is confident, his interest inspiring as he runs up the stairs. His black boots covered with a thin film of dust; his trousers neatly tucked up — he straightens his green woolen sweater as he enters the door.The door of his class at school, the school that he looks forward to attending and learning from.Living in the nearby urban slum since the last 30 years, his family moved in from Muzaffarabad.

Mohammad Umayr, age six, comes from Akhtar Colony in Karachi where lack of electricity, cooking gas, tap water and garbage collection is rampant. The colony has a high-population density, very poor environmental services and low socioeconomic status.

Like most families in the area Umayrs' household expenditure is the highest on food, housing and other needs.

Food prices have escalated sharply, for instance the price of 1kg of wheat flour has doubled and lentils have increased three fold in the last one year — and the wages have remained more or less constant.

Engulfed with rising expenses, low income and increased consumption his father works at a garment factory bringing back approximately Rs20,000 (US$210) to feed a family of 13.

His mother, who runs the house on a tight schedule and budget, gently nudging, calmly understanding and thinking positively, is a constant in the house.

With such tight budgets, the demand for education in low income groups is not present because of the opportunity cost of educating children. Parents often prefer that their children work to supplement household incomes, help with chores or attend to a sick family member. Opportunity costs make even free schooling unaffordable for some families.

Being uneducated themselves, Umayrs's parents Mohammad Saeed and Farzana appreciate access to free schooling. They consider education a potential way out of their poverty, vulnerability and poor living conditions.

When asked what they thought of education his mother happily replied “ Taleem bahut qeemti cheez hai ” (Education is very precious).

Energised by his parents encouragement and support Mohammad Umayr, is one of the 400 children attending The Citizen's Foundation (TCF) school in Qayyumabad, Karachi.

TCF came in their lives about a year-and-a-half ago when they decided to pull out their older child from Jinnah Public School and put him in TCF. They were paying Rs400 per month for their older child Mohammad Zubair.

Both the brothers are hardworking students and work diligently at school. They look forward to spend their time at the campus and rarely miss school.

The Shirin Sultan Dosa campus was built in 2006 and can accommodate up to 500 students. The current principal is Mrs Ghazala Faruqi who has been with the TCF team since the last 14 years.

TCF provides the children formal quality education. It practices a pay-as-you-can-afford system where a parent can pay as low as Rs10 per month. Ninety-five per cent scholarships are provided to all deserving students, with books and uniform heavily subsidised and available on easy installments.

TCF is not only providing free education to the children but also developing and sustaining the entire community.

Developing for a brighter, educated future and sustaining social reform!

The darkness of illiteracy is abysmal — lack of education is calamitous!

We, as educated citizens have to ensure that their lives along with the families of 92,000 children across Pakistan are illuminated and enlightened forever. Let's indoctrinate Pakistan!

Let's not starve them of their right to live and dream. Let's join hands and hearts to educate the not-so-fortunate ones so that they can become better and responsible citizens of Pakistan.

For more information log on to www.thecitizensfoundation.org