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A Volunteer
Appreciation Evening was held on April 27, 2002 at Aga Khan University (AKU) to recognize the efforts and honorary services
of its volunteers. These young and old, men and women who have been
giving their time and energies to the operations of AKU and AKUH
- Karachi Lions Blood Bank were awarded gold and diamond studded
pins, as a memento of the University's recognition for their dedication
and selfless service. A total of 249 volunteers received their pins
for their noble contribution to the University during the years
2000 - 2001.
The programme
was organized in the pleasant surroundings of the AKU Sports and
Rehabilitation Centre and was largely attended by volunteers, members
of the AKU senior management, representatives of NGOs and social
workers. Mr. Mushtaq Chhapra, Director of The Citizens Foundation,
was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Speaking on
the occasion, President Kassim-Lakha recounted the laudable social
services rendered by Mr. Chhapra from the platform of The Citizens
Foundation, the Kidney Centre, and as a prominent social worker.
While congratulating the awardees, Dr. Kassim-Lakha stated that
he and the Institution are proud of the volunteers' hard work, commitment
and their selfless services towards a humanitarian cause.
The
present strength of AKU volunteer body is 284, who support activities
of 60 departments at the University.
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Addressing the
gathering, Mr. Mushtaq Chhapra lauded the role of the AKU volunteers
in supplementing and complementing the efforts of AKU staff and
faculty and extending a helping hand to patients and others visiting
AKUH. He also said that AKU's volunteer body is a role model for
others and that NGOs, social workers and other organisations in
the country must emulate the wonderful work of these volunteers.
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gold pin is awarded for each 1000 hours of service. When
a volunteer completes 5,000 hours of service, a diamond
studded gold pin is presented. This year, total awardees
for the various pins were:
1 gold pin 143
2 gold pins 43
3 gold pins 02
Diamond studded gold pins 07
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The awards were
presented on the basis of the number of hours' contributed in voluntary
service. The gold pins were presented by the AKU President and various
members of the AKU senior management. The Chief Guest gave away
the diamond studded pins and the following special awards:
Volunteer
of the Year Award 2001 (AKU volunteers) to Ms. Nasim Amir Ali, member
of the AKU Flower Committee.
Volunteer
of the Year Award 2001 (AKUH-Karachi Lions Blood Bank) to Mr. Hyder
Ali Veljee, which was received by Mrs. Veljee in his absence.
The Chairpersons
of AKU's Gift Shop, Flower Shop and the Snacks 'n' Things presented
to President Shamsh Kassim-Lakha their combined contribution of
Rs. 3.4 million (US$ 56,666), out of the surplus earned during the
year 2001 for the AKU Patient Welfare Programme. Thus far, an amount
of Rs. 28.2 million (US$ 470,000) has been contributed by the Volunteer
Services Department for the support of needy patients.
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