SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS ACT AS THE CHANGE AGENTS FOR SOCIETY.

ISLAMABAD, 8th December – Problems faced by the developed and developing countries in the area of welfare services demand radically different approaches. Whereas, the developed countries are putting the responsibility primarily on the government, the developing countries are still struggling to mobilize their own resources. Rather than leaving societal needs to the government or business sectors, social entrepreneurs are now finding what is not working and solving the problem by changing the system, spreading the solution, and persuading entire societies to take new leaps.

Looking for innovative solution to society’s most pressing social problems, the Edhi Foundation, the largest welfare organization in Pakistan has signed a MoU with SAMAA TV, one of the leading Urdu news channels to jointly work on creating more awareness on the issues of the vulnerable communities in Pakistan.

The signed partnership between the both organizations is a remarkable initiative and also the first time ever that a media organization has signed up for taking ownership for social improvement in the country.

Speaking to Mr. Faisal Edhi, he said that “Media is probably one of the strongest players in today’s society and has a great platform through which we can make a positive contribution to our people”. He also said that “Edhi's vision is to create Pakistan as a modern welfare state, which provides a safety net for the poor and needy while providing basic health and education with vocational skills”. He hopes that one day Pakistan will be a model for other developing countries.

Faisal appreciated SAMAA TV for taking the time and feeling the responsibility as a social conscious entity and encouraged other media entities to follow on.

SAMAA will be producing documentaries based upon the success stories of various people who qualified from the institutions managed and run by the institutions under the Edhi Foundation. These case studies will give a deep insight into the prevailing social issues, the efforts to beat the challenges and the outcome as a courage and motivation for others to follow – giving hope of a better future for all.

Mr. Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer of SAMAA TV said that “SAMAA is a company that believes deeply in entrepreneurship and in the power of information. Although, we are facing many issues in today’s society, may it be political, social, economic or religious, we need to join hands and play our positive role in giving our people the fundamental needs, which are their basic human rights”. He further added that “By sharing the case studies of Edhi’s welfare initiatives, we aim at promoting social entrepreneurship among us all. Each contribution, small or big makes a difference”.

This partnership is a role model and also a lead for others with a hope that there is a need for coordinated efforts between the private and public sector. This model will work towards the provision of the needed welfare services through the most economical and efficient use of financial, human and technical resources.

The Edhi foundation is a NON Profit organization which was established by Abdul Sattar Edhi, who has been in the business of providing social services since 1951.The Foundation has been successful in developing a model of welfare services in a large number of areas where the Foundation supplements and supports the government system by mobilizing community resources without burdening the public exchequer..

The Edhi Foundation's activities include a 24 hours emergency service across the country through 250 Edhi centers which provide free shrouding and burial of unclaimed dead bodies, shelter for the destitute, orphans and handicapped persons, free hospitals and dispensaries, rehabilitation of drug addicts, free wheel chairs, crutches and other services for the handicapped, family planning counseling and maternity services, national and international relief efforts for the victims.