Birth and Early Life:
Abdul Sattar Edhi was born on February 28, 1928, in Bantva near Junah Grah, Gujrat (India). His father’s name was Abdul Shakoor Edhi, and he was a merchant. He belongs to a middle-class family. Abdul Sattar Edhi always used to play the role of leader. He used to encourage his friends for fun and other work. His mother used to give him two paisa(پیسا). He spent it one on himself and the other on the needy persons. His mother plays a vital role in shaping the life of Abdul Sattar Edhi. At the age of eleven (11) years, his mother got paralyzed and later on got mentally ill. He started to support his mother. He did all his mother’s work: medical care, feeding, washing her dress, cleaning, and bathing. At the age of 19 years, his mother died due to spending most of their time caring for his mother. Abdul Sattar was unable to complete his high school education. But, he become the real teacher and doctor for millions of people. After the partition of the Sub-Continent in 1947, Abdul Sattar’s family migrated to Pakistan. To live, Abdul Sattar became a commission agent and sold cloth in the wholesale market in Karachi. In 1965, he was married to Bilqqis, a nurse in the dispensary.
Foundation of Edhi Foundation:
In 1951, Abdul Sattar Edhi laid the foundation of the Edhi Trust. Before he worked with the collaboration of his community people, they started a dispensary. He has a vision to support the helpless, orphans, patients, and other needy people. His vision is very tough because before him no one could done this. However, he paid attention to his vision and started fundraising for the trust. People support his vision and collect 200,000/-. With the support of the people of Edhi Trust a maternity home was established and emergency ambulance services were started in Karachi. He daily rounded the city to help people. If he found any patient or injured person, he took them to the hospital for treatment. He was also driving the ambulance.
Angel of Mercy
The confidence of people in him increases, and more people support his trust. People used to call him the “Angel of Mercy.”
Services of Edhi Foundation
There is a wide range of humanitarian services offered by the Edhi Foundation:
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Ambulances Services:
Edhi Foundation operates the largest ambulance services network in Pakistan and foreign countries. About 1,800 ambulances operate efficiently in around 300 cities in Pakistan 24 hours 7 days non-stop.
2. Hospital
Edhi Foundation runs free hospitals, dispensaries, and clinics that offer free treatments, medicine, surgeries, and maternity services to the needy, especially in backward areas.
3. Children Services
Provide care and shelter to abandoned and homeless children, offering a safe environment for their development.
4. Edhi Homes & Orphanage Centres
Shelters for orphans, homeless, and mentally or physically challenged individuals who have no one to care for them.
5 Helpline Service
A 24/7 emergency helpline provides immediate assistance for medical emergencies, missing persons, and other urgent issues.
6 Educational Services
Offers free education to underprivileged children in various parts of Pakistan to help them gain the skills they need for a better future.
7. Graveyard
Manages burial services for unclaimed bodies and those who cannot afford burial expenses, ensuring dignified funerals.
8. Missing Persons Service
Helps families find missing loved ones and reunite lost individuals with their families.
9. Refugee Assistance
Provides support to refugees, offering food, shelter, and other necessities for those displaced by conflict.
10. Marriage Bureau Service
Assists in arranging marriages for individuals who cannot afford the process or are struggling to find a match.
11. Langer Service (Free Kitchen)
Provides free meals to the needy through various Edhi centers across the country
12. Charitable Shop
Sells donated items to raise funds for the foundation’s charitable activities.
13. Edhi Animal Hostel
Takes care of stray or abandoned animals, providing shelter, food, and medical care.
14.Edhi Rikshaw “Rozgar” Scheme
Offers rickshaws to unemployed individuals to help them earn a living and support their families.
15. Rehabilitation Center
Provides rehabilitation services for drug addicts and individuals with other issues, helping them reintegrate into society.
16. Welfare Centers
Spread across Pakistan, these centers provide multiple services, including medical care, emergency relief, and social support.
17. In-House Bakery
Produces bread and other bakery items for distribution at Edhi centers and those in need.
18. Kitchen
: Prepares meals for distribution to the less fortunate at Edhi homes and centers.
19. Rooti Plant
Produces breads and distributes free of cost to the needy.
20. Workshop
Repairs and maintains ambulances and other vehicles used by the foundation.
21. Edhi Mourge
Provides free mortuary services for families who need a place to keep the deceased before burial.
22. Online Qurbani Service
Facilitates online Qurbani services and distributes meals to the needy.
Awards and Achievements of Abdul Sattar Edhi
The most important award to anyone is trust and becoming a hope in anyone’s life. The big achievement is that he saved thousands of lives, and brought happiness on the faces of millions.
National Awards:
- Silver Jubilee Shield: This award was presented by the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1962.
- Nishan-e-Imtiaz : Abdul sattar edhi was awarded by Pakistan Highest Military Award Nishan-e-imtiyaz in 1989.
- Social Worker of Sub-Continent: The Government of Sindh awarded Abdul Sattar by Social Worker of Subcontinent in 1989.
- Pakistan Civic Award: From the Pakistan Civic Society in 1992.
- Jinnah Award: From Jinnah Society of Pakistan in 1998.
- Shield of Honor: From the Pakistan army for his contributions to the country.
- Khidmat Award: This award is presented by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences.
- Human Rights Award: This award was presented by the Pakistan Human Rights Society.
- Person of the Year: From The Express Tribune in 2013.
International Awards:
- Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service: This award was presented in 1986.
- Lenin Peace Prize: Awarded by the Soviet Union in 1988.
- Paul Harris Fellow: Awarded by Rotary International for his work in humanitarian services in 1993.
- Peace Prize: Awarded by USSAR in 1988 for his contributions to American earthquake disasters.
- Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services: Awarded by UAE for recognizing his services in 2000.
- International Balzan Prize: Awarded by Italy for recognition of his work for peace, humanity, and brotherhood in 2000.
- Seoul Peace Prize: Given in Seoul in 2008.
- UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize: Awarded in 2009.
- POSCO TJ Park Prize: For his works for humanity in 2009.
- Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize: For his work in 2010.
- Honorary Doctorate: Received honorary Doctorate from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi in 2006.
- Honorary Doctorate: Received honorary Doctorate from the University of Bedfordshire in 2010.
- London Peace Award: In 2011.
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