ILMPOSSIBLE: Taking Education to Every Child in Rural Pakistan

In an ambitious PKR 40,499,719 ($182,431 USD) initiative to bring education to every child, Rural Aid Pakistan, in partnership with the British Council, has successfully enrolled nearly 14,000 out-of-school children across Narowal and Sahiwal districts. The ILMPOSSIBLE: Take a Child to School (TACS) project demonstrates how community mobilization and youth engagement can transform educational access in rural Pakistan.

Creating Champions for Education

By May 2021, the project had not only enrolled 13,869 out-of-school children—including 6,217 girls—but achieved an remarkable 99% retention rate. This success stems from a comprehensive approach that turned community members into education champions.

The Power of Community Engagement

At the heart of the project's success lies its innovative community mobilization strategy. Through 14 broad-based community meetings, the initiative engaged over 1,000 community members, establishing 18 education Mohallah Committees (MCs) with 260 members. These committees, comprising parents, teachers, civil society members, and local leaders, quickly became catalysts for change. Their impact resonated throughout their communities as they launched 59 self-help school improvement initiatives, benefiting nearly 10,000 teachers and students. From installing water facilities to constructing classrooms and washrooms to improving playgrounds, these locally-driven projects demonstrated how empowered communities can create lasting change. The Mohallah Committees transformed from simple advisory groups into dynamic forces for educational advancement, proving that sustainable development starts with community leadership.

Youth as Agents of Change

The project trained 958 youth volunteers—675 men and 283 women—as ILMBASSADORS. These dedicated young people led community mobilization efforts, identified out-of-school children, and worked tirelessly to ensure their enrollment and retention. Their work exemplifies how youth engagement can catalyze social change.

More Than Just Enrollment

The project went beyond mere enrollment numbers, implementing the innovative Dosti Sport Program to enhance the learning experience. Sixteen trained teachers conducted sports activities benefiting over 1,500 students across 13 schools, making education more engaging and reducing dropout rates.

Success Through Partnership

Working closely with the British Council and local education departments, Rural Aid Pakistan fostered strong partnerships at every level. Two District Education Task Forces were established, bringing together 49 members from various sectors to support educational initiatives and advocate for improvements.

Looking Forward

This initiative serves as a model for educational transformation in rural Pakistan, demonstrating how community engagement, youth mobilization, and strategic partnerships can create lasting change. The project's success in maintaining a 99% retention rate proves that when communities take ownership of education, sustainable change is possible.

Learn More

Discover more about how this transformative project is changing lives, please read our comprehensive project report.

The ILMPOSSIBLE: Take a Child to School project was implemented by Rural Aid Pakistan in partnership with the British Council. For more information about our work or to support similar initiatives, please contact us at ruralaid.pk@gmail.com