Citi and the Citi Foundation have provided USD 35,000 to join hands with the Sarhad Rural Support Program and The Hunar Foundation, to sponsor students in Pakistan, for attaining vocational training and post-secondary education. This training, which combines theoretical classroom curriculum, coupled with hands on workshop training and internship placements will focus on Electrician, Welding, Plumbing, Refrigeration/Air-conditioning and General Fitting trades. This project will help decrease unemployment in Pakistan and provide greater incentive to low-income groups to attain education, as it is likely to result in improving livelihoods.

Part of the funding will also be used by the Sarhad Rural Support Program to separately fund post-secondary education for Pakistani students. This will help reduce the drop-out rate after secondary schooling (which currently stands at 30%).

Mr Masood ul Mulk, CEO, Sarhad Rural said, ‘We are very proud of this initiative with Citi and the Citi Foundation, with whom we enjoy a longstanding relationship. Apart from this particular program, we are also working with Citi on flood relief and rehabilitation projects, including rehabilitating a Health Care Unit, a drinking water project and a women's vocational centre in Swat. We are grateful for their support to Sarhad and for their consistent involvement towards various community-based endeavors in Pakistan.'

Mr Aslam Khaliq, CEO, Hunar Foundation said, 'Citi Foundation's support has been instrumental in helping Hunar deliver its social objectives, especially in its initial stages of launching in Pakistan. This collaboration has resulted in providing vocational training certifications and work placements for several young Pakistanis. We have also provided internships to these students, as part of this Citi-Hunar program, so as to provide a more hands-on experience to the students.'

As Citi Pakistan completes 50 years (1961-2011), the Citi Foundation has provided almost $200,000 to Pakistan over just the last year to invest in microfinance, financial asset building and vocational training. This is in addition to the USD100,000 that the Foundation has provided for flood rehabilitation last year.

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Media Contact
Citi

Saba Karim Khan
Country Public Affairs Officer
Citi, AWT Plaza, I. I. Chundrigar Road
Karachi, Pakistan
Direct: ++9221 2213627
Fax: ++9221 263-8211