The ZEST Educational Project was founded in honor of Mr. ZakaUllah, a visionary teacher and mentor whose influence greatly shaped the life and work of our founder Mr. Zafar Iqbal, the Chairman of The NGO World Foundation. To pay tribute to his mentor’s dedication to education, our founder designed the ZakaUllah Educational Support & Training (ZEST) program—an initiative aimed at providing quality education and life skills to those in need.

Our Vision

At ZEST, our vision is to empower students by providing access to quality education, practical life skills, and the confidence to succeed in their personal and professional lives. We believe education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.

ZEST Support Includes:

1. Scholarship Scheme: We offer scholarships to bright but financially disadvantaged students, allowing them to pursue their education with dignity, free from the burdens of financial constraints.
2. Non-Formal Education Centers: Our low-cost, Non-Formal Education (NFE) system is designed for out-of-school children, helping them complete their primary education in just three years. After completing Packages A, B, and C, these students are transitioned into mainstream formal schools, where they continue their education.
3. ZEST Model High School: For students who successfully complete our NFE packages, we provide a path to formal secondary education at our ZEST Model High School.

 Our Goals:

Through the ZEST program, we aim to:

• Make education attractive and accessible for children from low-income families, so that sending their kids to school is viewed as an opportunity rather than a burden.
• Reduce dropout rates and improve student attendance by providing an encouraging and supportive learning environment.
• Reintegrate students who have been out of school for years, ensuring they can revive and complete their education.
• Support government and international efforts, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), to improve literacy rates and promote inclusive education for all.
• Inspire teachers to become role models, delivering quality education that motivates and engages their students.

Why ZEST Matters

Pakistan faces a critical education challenge, with an estimated 22.8 million children between the ages of 5-16 not attending school—the second-highest number of out-of-school children (OOSC) in the world. At ZEST, we are determined to change that by providing effective, low-cost educational solutions to the most vulnerable communities.

But we can’t do it alone. We need generous philanthropists and donors who share our vision of creating a brighter, more educated future for all children. With your support, we can expand ZEST and reach even more students in need.

For more information about ZEST please see: https://www.thengoworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ZEST-NFE-Profile_Updated_2.pdf