Khadimabad Welfare Trust


 

 

Partner institution: Khadimabad Welfare Trust

Website: http://www.kwtrust.co.uk/

 

Contributors (2013):

Ifza Bano Shakoor

 

Instructions:

Contributors: Ifza Shakoor

Contents: 

Placement Information

Accomodation

Transport

Social life

Things to do, things not to do

Useful Contacts

Before you go

Costs

Placement Information

The orphanage was located in a temporary building whilst I was there as the new school building was being built. There were 28 orphan girls currently boarding at the school. Their timetable was very long, with the average school day beginning at 5am and ending at 8pm. The majority of their education was religious with 3 hours per day allocated to formal education. I had to take a translator with me, as I had difficulties with the language. The Pupils level of  English wasn't very high either

 

 

Accomodation

 

I was lucky enough to have my Dad's villa to live in and round the clock workers there to cook, clean and to wash my clothes. Howver if you are to rent, accomodation prices vary depending on the size and what type of accomodation you decide to live in. A 2 bedroom flat can cost around 4000 - 6000 rupees which is between £25-40 per month whilst a villa will obviously cost a lot more. Compared to England, rent prices are very cheap so you can afford to treat yourself and live in luxury! Eating out for 2 people in local restaurants costs around £10 per meal if you have a starter and main, plus drinks. It's best to know someone locally to guide you as the shopkeepers and locals can try to rip you off if they know you're a foreigner.

Transport

Getting to Kashmir, I had to book a ticket from London Heathrow airport to Islamabad airport for £515 with Gulf Air, then organise a driver in advance to drive me to Kashmir which cost around 5000 rupees/ £30. MY journey was long as the plane stopped in Bahrain for 5 hours. A shopping mall and McDonalds helped time pass! Be warned, the GBP holds barely any value in Arab Countries, so you don't get much for your money. Return tickets are available from £500 if you book in advance. Booking late means ticket prices can go up majorly! Booking a single ticket does not save you any money as it costs around £450, so it makes more sense and saves you a lot of money to book a return ticket. A visa can be pretty expensive, costing around £100 and having to go to the Pakistan Embassy in Birmingham. An 8-hour direct flight with PIA would have made much more sense and been an easier journey. I already have a 10 year nationality card made, which saves me from having to buy a visa, as I regularly holiday in Kashmir.  All of the main airports in England fly regularly to Islamabad, Pakistan, however there is no direct flight to Azad Kashmir, as their is no airport there. Crossing the border via car does not generally result in any problems, and it is relatively easy. Be warned - there is a police checkpoint and you may have to stop and have the usual checks done on you. It is generally hassle-free flying into Islamabad airport than getting out, as the workers hassle you for bribes and money to allow your luggage to go through. You have to be very on-the-ball and sharp to not allow this corruption to happen to you.

I had a car and a motorbike available to use due to having family of my husbands living in Kashmir. Rental prices for a relatively new Toyota Corolla hatchback start from 1500 rupees a day which is roughly £10 in English money. Public transport available there was local taxis and suzukis (highly decorated vehicles with the back open, presumably for fresh air as it can get humid if vehicles do not have air conditioning) 

Social life

 

 

 

Things to do, things not to do

 

You can easily exchange money in the money exchange bureau's or banks. Check the exchange rate and count your money before leaving. Whilst I was in Kashmir the exchange rate was 1GBP = 149 Rupees.

Visit the local beautyspots. I can see why Kashmir is known as Heaven on Earth. Parts of it are breathtakingly beautiful.

Go on a speedboat in a river or sea. (costs around 1500 Rupees or £10.Mangla Dam is a very popular location with tourists for this.

 

Useful Contacts

Manawar Mohammed (Chairman) - 07980704007

Email - manwar@kwtrust.co.uk

 

 

Before you go

Get vaccinations organised through your G.P asap as these can take time. Depending on the time of year you go, you may need to take anti-malaria tablets and antidiarrheal drugs with you as prevention.

 

 

Costs