2020

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ABOUT US

Talitha KUMI Welfare Society (TKWS), commonly known as “Talitha KUMI” is a non-profit
organization. The purpose of organization is to help the marginalized, underprivileged &
oppressed women who are victims of various forms of violence and who find it very difficult to
pursue the injustices done to them in a male-dominated society in Pakistan. Talitha KUMI was
envisioned and founded in year 2000. Dr. Rev. Khushnud Azariah, Ms. Shunila Ruth and other
likeminded ifounded Talitha Kumi Welfare Center back in the year 2000. Now more than 15
dedicated staff work for Talitha KUMI. There are many volunteers from diverse backgrounds
supports Talitha KUMI.

“Empowering women to overcome various forms of violence” is our mission statement. Talitha
KUMI trying to empower women through economic empowerment programs to help them
become economically independent and through awareness building programs to promote
women rights, gender-related issues to counter various forms of violence, done against
women.
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SUMMARY
The year 2020 has been the year of difficulties and challenges. The year started with spread of
covid-19 pandemic and death of one of our committed staff member Mrs. Joyce Bhatti who
served Talitha Kumi for 18 years. In March 2020 Government of Pakistan has imposed
restrictions and stringent changes in the rules and regulation for non-profit organization and
trusts who get foreign funds. Now there are several Departments with which Talitha Kumi has to
registered or renew our registration as non-profitable organization. These department are as
follows.
1. Office of the Joint Stock Companies, Lahore under Society Act.1860
2. Social Welfare Department, Government of Punjab
3. Punjab Charity Commission
4. Home Department, Government of Punjab
5. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) (Dept. that dealt with withholding/tax etc.)
6. Economic Affairs Division, Government of Pakistan
Because of these restrictions, we did not get any foreign funds and faced hardship to carry on
regular activities and effective response to Covid-19.
Talitha Kumi regular activities remained suspended because of Covid-19 lockdown and lack of
funds. In October 2020, Economic Empowerment Program (Sewing/Tailoring & Midwifery)
resumed its daily classes. Education/Awareness Building Program & Legal Aid program were
not carried out as planned.
Thanks to local donors who supported COVID-19 response initiatives to reach to the poorest of
the poor amidst of lockdown.
We would also like to thank and appreciate Talitha Kumi Staff who was serving without monetary
remuneration.
We hope and prayer the matters related to the EAD (Economic Affair Division) will be resolve
soon and in the meanwhile world will overcome this pandemic.

Team – Talitha Kumi

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COVID-19 IMPACT
The Coronavirus pandemic is the greatest crisis of this century that has turned the
world upside down. Covid-19 has put the globe on halt. These are extraordinary times.
Economies all over the world, including Pakistan, have come to a screeching halt.

First confirmed case of COVID-19 positive reported on 26 February 2020 in Pakistan.

All schools, colleges, universities and madrassahs closed throughout the country on
5 March 2020. The Government imposed a nationwide lockdown order from March
15, 2020 to contain the Covid-19 outbreak. The restriction has imposed on the
movement and gathering at religious, sport, social and cultural events. While public
and business premises remained closed. All international and domestic flight
operation and Pakistan Railways services suspended.

A grinding economic lockdown has particularly hit nearly 25% of the country's over
200 million population, which lives below poverty line.

Laborers and daily wage workers are the worst hit. Livelihood of poor has been badly
affected by the lockdown these include small stall owners, tailors, barbers,
construction workers, rickshaw driver, donkey-cart rider, street hawkers & and many
others. Their immediate worry is food for their families.

Pakistan already suffers from a higher level of hunger that is considered serious in
Global Hunger Index 2019. This scale of hunger is likely to further deteriorate from
serious to alarming aftermath of COVID-19 outbreak.

Talitha Kumi Response

Talitha Kumi suspended all its activities after the lockdown. After carefully observing
the situation, Talitha Kumi took initiative to meet urgent requirements to ensure the
delivery of life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable communities.
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Talitha Kumi supported the community by scaling up life-saving activities including but
not limited to, distribution of meal packets, staple food packets, hygiene kits, and
provision of cash to families.
Food staple packages distributed to the socio-economically marginalized
communities.

Covid19- Response Unit Number of

Initiative Distributed Beneficiaries

Meal Packet Distribution 2640 120 individual

(per day)

Staple food Package 250 250 families

Face masks/Soap/Sanitizer 240 240

Cash Transfer 150 150 families

We thank our donors for providing material/cash for these initiatives:

1. Sarwar Foundation

2. Community World Service

3. Christian Fellowship of Pakistan

4. Mr. Khalid Mehboob

5. Mr. Peter Calvin

6. Ms. Shunila Ruth

PICTURES: MEAL DISTRIBUTION

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PICTURES: STAPLE FOOD DISTRIBUTION

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Meet Ashraf Masih,

a sanitary worker. He and
his wife lost their jobs
during the coronavirus
lockdown. Ashraf lives in a
rented dark and dingy
single room in Bahar
Colony, Lahore with his
wife Sonia and a 6 years
old kid “Adan”. Ashraf
income was dried up and
he was worried he might
lost their room. But
Talitha Kumi timely
intervention helped Ashraf
with cash and food.

“If I didn’t have this

help, I probably
would have a
mental breakdown
with stress, ‘’Ashraf
said. “I’m not going
to let my kid go
hungry. If I have to
just eat once a day,
that’s what I have
to do.’’