Ceena Health and Welfare Services has been working to uplift the most vulnerable sections of society in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral region of Pakistan since 1990. It was first established in Gilgit city as a pioneering blood bank and health service provider. It gave medical aid and referral services to patients from ultra-poor families. Our work expanded with time to respond to the growing needs of our target population, particularly its most vulnerable section, i.e. children.
Today we provide free of cost boarding and lodging, education until completion of university degree, healthcare, clothing and all other basic amenities of life to a growing number of disadvantaged children and youth. Our holistic support enables them to become independent and lead their families out of poverty. Ceena is currently supporting hundreds of vulnerable children including orphans, abandoned babies, ultra-poor children, children with disabilities and disaster-hit children through its projects.
Empowerment Center for Disadvantaged Children
This is a residential facility in Gilgit housing orphans, ultra-poor children and children with disabilities, where they are provided all necessities and facilities of life free of cost. They attend various schools and colleges where their education is supported by Ceena.
University Scholarship Program
This scholarship is for those students who join Ceena Empowerment Center as young children and complete their higher secondary education. Over 60 of our alumni, who had joined us as little children, have grown up, completed their education, rejoined their families and are working in their respective fields. This includes a pilot, a female engineer, a PhD in engineering who was also a Fulbright scholar, an alumna who has recently won a scholarship for her PhD, MBAs, BBAs and many other professionals who are helping their families break out of the cycle of poverty.
Social Welfare Assistance
This fund covers expenses related to shelter, basic sustenance and healthcare for families in need. Ceena has also been holding the weddings of underprivileged youth from such families, arranging for full traditional ceremonies along with dowries.
Educational Support for Disaster Affected Children
Ceena has initiated a crucial project for the welfare and protection of children who are affected by natural disasters. Under this project, children whose families have lost homes or livelihoods due to floods in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral are being provided school fee, uniform, stationery and other school supplies. The aim of this project is to reduce drop-out rates in disaster-hit and poverty-stricken areas.