Thomas Doe
Social WorkerNulla totam rem metus nunc hendrerit ex voluptatum deleniti laboris, assumenda suspendisse, maecenas malesuada morbi a voluptate massa! Hendrerit, egestas.
Nulla totam rem metus nunc hendrerit ex voluptatum deleniti laboris, assumenda suspendisse, maecenas malesuada morbi a voluptate massa! Hendrerit, egestas.
American Friends of Sunbeams School System, a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit in the US, supports Sunbeams School System in its mission to provide education to underprivileged and marginalized children across Pakistan, where over 22 million children remain out of school. Financial barriers and a lack of access to quality institutions prevent millions from receiving even the most basic education. Without intervention, the gap continues to widen, leaving generations without the skills they need to shape a better future.
Our journey began in 2014 when a group of passionate educators came together to bring change to Pakistan’s education system. On August 14, 2014, the first Sunbeams school opened in a small village near Lahore. It started with a simple dream; to make education accessible to all.
At Sunbeams School System, we believe that education should not be a privilege reserved for a few but a right for all. We focus on creating self-sustaining schools which begins with raising initial funding through individuals and organizations who share our vision. With this support, we establish schools in underserved areas, ensuring that children who need education the most have access to it.
Sustainability is the foundation of our model. With a sliding fee structure, families contribute based on their financial capacity and the schools gradually become self-sufficient within two to three years. Once stable, they continue to operate independently, expanding access to education and creating opportunities for more children in the community.
To provide a future where every child in Pakistan has access to quality education, breaking the cycle of illiteracy and creating a self-sustaining learning ecosystem.
Our mission is to achieve 100% literacy in Pakistan by 2047, making education accessible to every child and shaping a more informed and educated generation.
Sunbeams works in remote villages and underdeveloped peri-urban areas where there are no affordable quality schools. We enhance access to quality education for children marginalized by distance and poverty.
Our schools foster community development thus helping to bridge the rural-urban divide, enhance equity and stem the flow of migration to the cities!
For a complete list of Sunbeams schools, click here.
Our Impact Till Date
$10/month
$22
$80/month
$180 – $370
Sunbeams School System is guided by a dedicated board of directors and a passionate leadership team, bringing years of expertise in education. Their vision shapes our mission, while our teachers work tirelessly to equip children with the knowledge and skills to excel.
Shaz Akram is currently the Founder and President of HerPivot, a storytelling platform for mid-career and executive level women. Prior to starting her own work, she was the Executive Director of the Women’s Foreign Policy Group (WFPG), the Deputy Director of the Fulbright Association (FA) and the Assistant Director at the International Services Office, and the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center at Mississippi State University. In these roles, she has led growth of membership and developed young professional networks, introducing career counselling and social innovation projects, produced large Fulbright Conferences and TEDx salons; multiplied organizational fundraising, communication and operational capacity; and spearheaded programs like the Fulbright prize (2019) that honored Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, Germany. At WFPG she led various foreign policy panels, developed programs with UN Women and the Diplomatic community in DC. She is also a prolific fundraiser with a track record of growing organizational portfolios.
Shaz, a Nigerian-born Pakistani, began her career working in the Civil Superior Services (CSS) in Pakistan before moving to the US. A skilled foreign affair professional, with a career in public service and international affairs, Shaz has built an impressive network of foreign leaders, diplomats and connections within the higher education, government, and non-profit world in the US and abroad. Shaz Akram currently serves as a Governor of DACOR, Inc. & Trustees of DACOR Bacon House Foundation, Program Chair, DACOR, board of directors of the Public Diplomacy Council of America and Development Chair and also Chairs, the Embassy Dialogue Committee (EDC) Member Interest Group (MIG) of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA).
Javed Patel is an entrepreneur, mentor, and community advocate dedicated to fostering innovation and giving back. His focus is on mentoring young entrepreneurs and supporting philanthropic initiatives.
Actively engaged in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment efforts both in the U.S. and internationally. Javed is also committed to interfaith and cultural initiatives that promote inclusivity. He serves on the board of Sunbeams USA, is a member of the Saratoga Rotary Club, a charter member of OPEN (Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs), and participates in various local community service initiatives.
Rafia brings her expertise in finance and leadership to her position on the Sunbeams board. She is currently an executive at a wealth management firm and has over two decades of experience in the corporate sector. She is passionate about Sunbeams’ mission and believes that education will be the catalyst for opportunity and upward mobility for impoverished children in Pakistan. She lives in Chicago with her husband and three daughters.
Thank you for your interest in Sunbeams. We’re always looking for committed individuals for full-time, part-time and work-from-home positions. There are many ways to contribute. If you are interested in volunteer positions, please fill in the form below with your interests, and we will contact you shortly.