Written by: Haroon Shuaib
Posted on: May 31, 2021 | 
Shahid Khan Afridi putting shoes on for a child in Balochistan (Photo Credits to SAF)
Few command the level of stardom and excellence in Pakistan as the legendry ‘Boom Boom Afridi’. Shahid Khan Afridi, also affectionately called ‘Lala’, a Pashtun term of endearment for elder brother, is an all-rounder cricketer and ex-captain of national cricket team. Afridi is primarily a fine leg spinner, but it was his forceful batting that won him unparalleled adulation throughout his 22 year cricketing career. His fans and critics alike knew that no target was unattainable, as long as Lala was on the crease.
A world record holder for the fastest century in a One Day International (ODI) for 17 years, which included 11 mighty sixes; his ability to turn around unfavorable situations on the field, his disarming smile and his unquestionable love for the country, made him a household name. Although he announced his retirement from international cricket in 2018, and has participated in only league matches since, Afridi remains an icon for millions of Pakistanis.
Along with cricket, Afridi never shied away from contributing his time, resources and influence towards philanthropic causes. In 2014, he formally set up Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF), a non-profit organization with an aim to improve the conditions for the underprivileged for education, healthcare, access to water, sports and emergency relief. The legendry squash player, Jahangir Khan, serves as the president of the foundation.
Villagers excited to get water supply through a hand pump in a remote village of Sindh (Photo Credits to SAF)
Speaking exclusively to Youlin Shahid Khan Afridi said, “My parents were particular about instilling a sense of charity in us siblings. I never saw a needy person leaving our house empty handed. During my cricketing career, I was involved with many charity organizations and got a chance to visit destitute communities in Sindh and Balochistan after some natural disasters. I realized that it was important to pay back for the love and respect that I was given by the people of Pakistan. There are still a lot of Pakistanis without access to basic facilities of education, health and clean drinking water, and we all must play our part to bring relief to them. We started small, as I did not believe it was the best use of available funds to hire experienced and qualified development professionals. I had to build my team by engaging youngsters and giving them sustained training.”
Through its various interventions, SAF has brought healthcare to over 170,000 patients, out of which about 38,000 are children and 83,500 are women. The foundation’s flagship Sahibzada Fazal Rehman Charity Hospital is the only charity-based, high-quality healthcare provider in Tangi Banda, Kohat.
SAF Medical Camp at Sahibzada Fazal Rehman Charity Hospital, Kohat
“The first initiative we took on was setting up the hospital, which proved to be quite challenging as doctors were not available locally, and the experts were unwilling to relocate to remote areas. Sometimes even reaching far flung areas with relief goods is a challenge, but I must appreciate how much the Pakistan army helped us by ensuring that we could reach these areas with relief goods,” Afridi explained.
So far, the foundation has set up 14 schools to enroll over 4100 students with a focus on providing educational opportunities for girls, where public sector facilities for education are unavailable or inadequate. To foster a favorable culture for girls’ education, the foundation takes initiatives such as family counseling sessions, co-curricular activities, medical camps and capacity building trainings for the teaching staff. The SAF Tirah School, SAF schools renovation drive in Azad Kashmir, and 8 schools renovated and refurbished in Karachi, have added value to the educational infrastructure in the regions.
A SAF School in Sindh (Photo Credits to SAF)
Realizing that millions of Pakistanis have limited or no access to water, SAF is currently playing its part to procure and provide water facilities; also installing solar panels where electricity is unavailable or breakdowns are a norm. To this end, 25 water tanks have been built and 186 hand pumps installed across 75 villages.
“Responsible citizens with means must come forward in developing economies like ours, where the state is unable to bring basic necessities to all its citizens. Similarly, in times of disaster, it is important for those with the resources to step forward and actively help vulnerable segments of population.” Afridi opines.
SAF's 'Donate Kero Na' Ration Drive in Chakar Khan Goth Winder, Balochistan
SAF has also initiated various sports events and healthy opportunities in Kohat and Tirah to benefit over 3000 young individuals. Bagh Aman (Peace) Mela, SAF T10 Charity Match, adoption and rehabilitation of a sports ground in Kohat, sports camps, and distribution of sports goods is helping spread hope among the youth of these regions.
For Afridi partnership in this charity work is very important. “SAF has formed many partnerships with other charitable organizations. We worked with ENGRO to establish a mother and child health facility in Sindh, and also many schools across the country in collaboration with Green Crescent Trust and CYTE – Changing Youth through Education Foundation.” he stated.
Foundation’s relief efforts are more global in their scope. From ration drives during the month of Ramadan in Pakistan, Australia, US, and Canada, to Grenfell Tower relief in London, Montreal floods, Caribbean hurricanes, Australian bushfire, the Foundation has remained actively involved in relief activities. The Foundation’s donation drive in the wake of the pandemic has catered to over 37,000 families. A special ‘shoe drive’ is helping protect underprivileged children against disease and infection by providing durable shoes they can use to walk to gather clean water or go to school, especially in Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. With the ‘Save Karachi’ initiative, in response to the unprecedented rains that submerged many areas of the city, they reached out with food supplies, extending to interior Sindh to support families who not only lost their livelihood, but also their homes and family members due to the floods.
Shahid Khan Afridi receiving prayers from villagers
“We have regular professional audits of the Foundation, which is important to ensure transparency. We have introduced meticulous management and monitoring systems. When I visit far flung areas and the elderly put their hand on my head and pray for our mission’s success, I am moved. We are building a mother and child hospital in Tirah, which is about a three and half hours’ drive from Peshawar. Imagine an expecting mother or a sick child making that journey for basic healthcare, and the burden it puts on the family. There is not a single suitable health facility for a large population in that area. Imagine the satisfaction I get when I visit a far flung village of Balochistan and put the shoes on the feet of children who walk on a rocky terrain with bare feet. The happiness on their faces and the way they run around with joy with their new shoes on is a very rewarding feeling.” Afridi reflects.
Perhaps nothing encapsulates the mission of Shahid Afridi Foundation better than the slogan of “Hope Not Out!” that it has adopted; literally bringing the first hope for thousands of Pakistanis living across the length and breadth of the country in off the grid communities from Kashmir to Balochistan.
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