Citi celebrates 50 years: in Pakistan Citi Foundation gives $35,000 for vocational training

As Citi Pakistan celebrates 50 years in Pakistan, Citi and the Citi Foundation have provided USD 35,000 to join hands with the Sarhad Rural Support Programme and The Hunar Foundation, to sponsor students in Pakistan, for attaining vocational training and post-secondary education.
This training, which combines theoretical classroom curriculum, coupled with hands on workshop training and internship placements will focus on Electrician, Welding, Plumbing, Refrigeration/Air-conditioning and General Fitting trades. This project will help decrease unemployment in Pakistan and provide greater incentive to low-income groups to attain education, as it is likely to result in improving livelihoods.
Part of the funding will also be used by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) to separately fund post-secondary education for Pakistani students. This will help reduce the dropout rate after secondary schooling. Citi Pakistan's Country Officer, Arif Usmani said, 'Citi is proud to complete 50 years of commitment to Pakistan's financial services sector, as well as to our communities, based on our principles of responsible finance. We hope that by sponsoring these vocational training and education programmes, we contribute in a small way towards improving livelihoods and increasing employment opportunities in Pakistan.'
Masood ul Mulk, CEO, Sarhad Rural Support Programme said, 'We are very proud of this initiative with Citi and the Citi Foundation, with whom we enjoy a longstanding relationship. Apart from this particular programme, we are also working with Citi on flood relief and rehabilitation projects, including rehabilitating a Health Care Unit, a drinking water project and a women's vocational centre in Swat. We are grateful for their support to SRSP and for their consistent involvement in various community-based endeavours in Pakistan.'
Aslam Khaliq, CEO, Hunar Foundation said, 'Citi Foundation's support has been instrumental in helping Hunar deliver its social objectives, especially in its initial stages of launch in Pakistan. This collaboration has resulted in providing vocational training certifications and work placements for several young Pakistanis. We have also provided internships to these students, as part of this Citi-Hunar programme, so as to provide a more hands-on experience to the students.'-PR