OAKS annual get-together

Islamabad

They say birds of a feather flock together, but it’s not always the case. Associations; groups; societies – call them what you will – are a great way for people with diverse tastes and backgrounds to remain in touch; learn new things and generally have a feeling of fellowship with other human beings. A popular form of grouping is those that allow fellow students from school and college days to meet every once in a while and renew friendships and kind of relive the ‘good ol’ days! OAKS – formed by students who studied in Kinnaird College, Lahore is one such group. And yes, liberty has been taken with the placing of the capital letters to make a good sounding abbreviation - OAKS – oak trees are known to be strong and stable! 

The annual get-together to let members interact and get a feedback on the association was held at the Pearl Continental Hotel, where the young and young at heart members enjoyed Chinese food and reminisced about the time spent at the college – some of them meeting each other after a long time.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Tina Azhar said funds donated by OAKS sponsored a vaccination programme at Rah-e-Amal school for underprivileged children in Westridge, after which Zehra Fasahat the founder of the school thanked the ladies and said after the vaccinations, fewer children fell ill to various diseases. This was followed by education committee member, Asiya Talha giving an account of where monies collected from members were donated.

It’s not all fun and games with groups such as OAKS – they do their fair share of charity work. Rawalpindi chapter does year round fundraising to donate Rs50,000 each to two schools in Rawalpindi - the Bostaan’ ilm School and Iqbal Foundation. Bostaan’ilm is a non-profit afternoon school for children from underprivileged children. Most of the students work in the mornings to make extra income for their families then come and study in the afternoon on the same premises of regular SLS School in Lalazar.  A bright graduate of Bostaan’ilm School, Aliza, has been given a scholarship by OAKS to continue her education at a private school. Aliza’s father is a driver for someone’s rickshaw and earns a monthly income of Rs9,000.

Iqbal Foundation uses the money it gets from OAKS to give breakfast to the students every morning because most of them come from underprivileged families where both parents are working and their children come to school without having had anything to eat.

Needless to say, ‘selfies’ and photographs were the order of the day; contact numbers were exchanged and the restaurant was alive with the sound of laughter and an atmosphere of goodwill. As new and old friends said goodbye, the well known song of yesteryears came to mind.  “We’ll meet again. Don’t know where; don’t know when but I know we’ll meet again some sunny day!” To which is added God willing/ Insha’ allah!