JAMMU: You will definitely get inspired by this exclusive online interview conducted by Editor-in-Chief of JK Monitor (www.jkmonitor.org) , Ajmer Alam Wani with a true change-maker from the picturesque region of Kashmir, Kupwara. Refat Wani, the dynamic Chairperson of Kashmir Servers Foundation (KSF), shares her extraordinary journey and the remarkable impact her organization is making.
Kashmir Servers Foundation, comprising of passionate and peace-loving boys and girls from Kupwara, has set its sights on sustainable development and breaking the chains of poverty. Their mission is to liberate the people from the shackles of government job dependency and revolutionize their society. Through their three pivotal domains of Education, Empowerment and Livelihood, the KSF is creating a wave of transformation that promises a brighter future for all.
Refat Wani, a visionary leader, has a personal message for everyone. She implores us to believe in ourselves, embrace a peaceful nature, nurture unwavering determination and never cease our thirst for knowledge. Encouraging kindness to oneself and the awe-inspiring creation that surrounds us, Refat reminds us of the divine social responsibilities we bear as humans.
Undeterred by the hurdles faced in pursuing honest and like-minded endeavours, Refat passionately believes that honesty and hard work, though challenging, are never in vain. By setting examples of resilience, unwavering willpower, and unmatched valour, she inspires others to overcome obstacles and create a lasting impact. In her eyes, success knows no shortcuts; even if attained, it lacks sustainability.
With a fervent appeal to fellow social welfare organizations, Refat calls for a people-friendly approach and the bridging of trust gaps between individuals and organizations. She advocates for honesty and urges the creation of professional platforms that empower passionate youth, enabling them to learn, explore, and break the monotony of conventional work cultures.
Representing JK Monitor, Ajmer Alam Wani delves deeper into the awe-inspiring story of Refat Wani and the exceptional work of the Kashmir Servers Foundation (KSF). Their relentless pursuit of sustainable development and their unwavering commitment to empowering the people of Kupwara (Kashmir) serve as shining beacons of hope and inspiration.
This captivating interview will leave you motivated to make a difference in your own corner of the world. The question and their answer go as below.
Q1: Can you briefly introduce yourself and what motivated you to establish the Kashmir Servers Foundation?
Answer: Well, my name is Refat Wani. I belong to Handwara, Kupwara. I am married with two kids. Basically, I am a social-work Post-Graduate which makes it clear that I had aspirations for Social-work since long. Hence, I used to volunteer social work and now it has been 13 years for me into social work. I have worked as a teacher earlier and later, I switched to professional social work which I started with Action Aid India and Jammu and Kashmir Yateem Trust.
After pursuing volunteer social-work for about 11 years, I was privileged to be felicitated by JK Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha sir in the month of September 2021 by Young Leadership Award 2021 on the occasion of Kashmir Leadership Summit at SKICC Srinagar which encouraged me to launch Kashmir Servers Foundation (KSF) in November 2021, right after a couple of months after being acknowledged at UT level.
Q2: Can you tell us about the mission and objectives of the Kashmir Servers Foundation (NGO) and what are your main responsibilities as a chairperson?
Answer: Kashmir Servers Foundation is a group of like-minded boys and girls of Kupwara who are peace loving. Basically, Kashmir Servers Foundation aims of sustainable development of our society to break the chain of poverty and change dependence on the government job culture among our people, in regard of which we operate through our three main domains which are Education, Empowerment and Livelihood.
As a Chairperson of Kashmir Servers Foundation, it is my obligation to make sure that our team is able to operate our set domains of work fairly, professionally, rationally and generously.
Q3: Can you share some of the key initiatives’ projects undertaken by the Foundation to address the pressing issues in Kashmir, and how it is making a difference in the lives of people in the region?
Answer: Well, Kashmir Servers Foundation has been really active to address the issues that have been alarming nowadays. Be it substance abuse, Health Education, Intimate hygiene of women which has been a reason to grave and widespread issues about women’s well-being like PCOS, PCOD, Infertility, Inflammation or be it gender equality, or preserving cultural heritages, environmental education, domestic violence, youth integration and peace initiative etc.
Referring to the sub question that how our initiatives make difference in the lives of people, Kashmir Severs Foundation believes that the education and awareness are the important factors for eradication of any issue prevalent in the society. Or we say education is a step-stone towards a change and prosperity and our programs press mainly on education to make people to understand and comprehend about any issue or an option.
Q4: How does the Kashmir Servers Foundation collaborate with the local communities, government bodies, and other stakeholders to bring about positive change?
Answer: As it is believed that Non- Government Organizations between the public and the administration are like bridges to help them correspond firmly with each other. Hence, we are trying to keep intact by collaborating and coordinating with local administrations through our different awareness programs.
We often try to include all the stake-holders like social stakeholders, political stake-holders, religious stakeholders, educationists, civil societies, legal stake holder, law enforcement bodies etc. into the change that they look for through our platforms to make them able to contribute to the society we live in. We make sure that they are being facilitated with the education and awareness by the highly educated, experienced and influential experts.
Q5: Can you discuss any success stories or achievements of the foundation that have had a significant impact on the lives of people in Kashmir?
Answer: Yes, actually we have organized the events like sports activities, mega drug awareness programs and award functions which have seen participation of thousands of people and has aspired many Youths to work for the betterment of society.
Let me put it up here as an example that we organized a cricket premier League which was played by around 32 teams across District Kupwara. And this event drove many aspirants to play more and believe in the power of a sport to a healthy life. For which District administration felicitated us on the last republic day.
Moreover, we organize felicitation programs which turn to be the step stones to the empowerment and encouragement of so many people out there. Like we have been organizing felicitation programs on past women’s days where we celebrate women coming from different walks of life.
Like the recent felicitation ceremony was held in Kupwara where we chose to celebrate the unsung and un-noticed women of District Kupwara who seldom come out of their villages. Among them was a girl with 100% disability who was earning her livelihood to run her family which was extremely inspiring. This program was one more reason for local and district administration bodies to shower appreciations and praises on the entire team of Kashmir Servers Foundation.
Q6: What are the main challenges that the Kashmir Servers Foundation faces in its work, and how do you overcome them?
Answer: Well, there are challenges in every field so are there in social work, and coming across with an experience through the challenges of life is a treasure to keep for a better rationality of a person or organization.
See there is a trust deficit among public regarding NGOs which is challenging to change yet possible. So, trust deficit and financial constraints are the biggest challenges we face. All through the age of KSF there has been no financial source than our pocket money.
Q7: Can you share any on-going programs or campaigns by the Foundation that aim to promote education, health care, or social welfare in the regions?
Answer: Since, we have no financial security so we are not able to implement our programs of sustainable development. Although we run programs promoting environmental education, Physical and Mental health education both on-line and off-line.
Q8: How does the Kashmir Servers Foundation prioritize the needs of marginalized communities and ensure their inclusion in its initiatives?
Answer: Our main focus revolves around the unserved people only, as the tagline of Kashmir Servers Foundation says, “Let’s serve the deserving”. Besides educative programs we provide statutory support to the marginalized and underprivileged people to avail the varied forms of justice and schemes /services available by government.
And, like I earlier mentioned that we chose women from the far-flung areas of Kupwara who did not have access to exposure or even access to towns, to just make it sure that they are encouraged and given the platform to be aspiring which eventually, will help them voice their agony and needs.
Q9: Can you discuss any specific projects or efforts by the Foundation to empower women and promote Gender Equality in Kashmir?
Answer: Well, for women empowerment KSF asserts on education of women and ensures more participation of women in entrepreneurship and agricultural businesses.
Q10: In what ways does the Kashmir Servers Foundation contribute to environmental conservation and sustainable development in the region?
Answer: Kashmir Servers Foundation runs the initiatives like Go Green, Green Lolab and endorses three Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) to maintain a healthy environment.
Q11: Can you share any collaborative partnerships or alliances that the foundation has formed to enhance its impact and reach a broader audience?
Answer: There are no partnerships or collaborations for now. In past we have allied with district administration Kupwara and district Police Kupwara.
Q12: How do you ensure transparency and accountability in the operations and utilization of resources by the Kashmir Servers Foundation?
Answer: Basically, I don’t need to do much effort about that because I have a best think-tank team and very vibrant volunteers volunteer their time with KSF to help us operate fairly. Moreover, we are clear that we can never compromise with unprofessionalism and misconduct as an organization.
Q13: Can you discuss the role of technology and innovation in the Foundation’s work, particularly in the context of addressing social challenges in Kashmir?
Answer: We all are well known about the role of technology and innovations in the betterment of society and the convenience it has served to the working portfolios. Same is availed by Kashmir Servers Foundation to reach broader audience and provide virtual platforms to people to speak, write or paint about social challenges that are alarming currently
Q14: How does the Kashmir Servers Foundation engage youth and encourage their active participation in community development and social causes?
Answer: Kashmir Servers Foundation has not set any boundaries for youth to not be able to involve in social-welfare and peace-making activities as long as the youth is peace loving. We focus on the youth participation of our programs and get them educated about the importance of peace and sustainability of skilled education. Moreover, Drug abuse and conspirations by vested and anti-peace elements to target youth into this disaster is mainly focused by Kashmir Servers Foundation. The importance of youth for the development of a nation is highlighted to make them understand how a big responsibility of the sustenance of their country they carry. Sport is a source to the well-being of Physical and mental health. Further through sports they develop the interests to maintain peace, communal harmony and brotherhood.
Adding to it, I would like to mention here that anyone who has been interested in working with us just needs to submit a membership form and that is it. Moreover, we felicitate our volunteers on every program to appreciate their efforts and encourage them for more.
Q15: Can you highlight any projects or initiatives by the Foundation that focus on promoting peace, harmony, and inter-faith dialogue in Kashmir?
Answer: Every initiative that Kashmir Servers Foundation has taken or will take-up in future is and has been revolving around integration of the youth of Kashmir with Peace. Like, KSF organized a Cricket tournament with District police titled Lolab Premier League to commemorate the police Martyrs for sacrificing their lives for public safety and maintenance of peace.
Q16: How does the Kashmir Servers Foundation advocate for the rights and welfare of vulnerable populations, such as children, refugees, or internally displaced persons?
Answer: I think for the children we must advocate for their quality education and balanced nutrition to ensure their social, physical and mental well-being and sustainable development. Child labor which is prevalent in the society and being justified conveniently, needs to be sternly checked to make children enjoy their right to live and seek education There is a need to have shelter houses for such vulnerable people to prevent trafficking and crimes against children and women.
And for the refugees and internally displaced people we must train the society to be welcoming and inclusive to them. Manage their peaceful relocation, education and livelihood. Moreover, we write about it on our face-book page, or hold virtual sessions.
Q17: Can you discuss any specific initiatives or programs that address mental Health and Well-being in Kashmir, considering the socio-political context of the region?
Answer: The socio-political effect has taken toll on the lives of youth of Kashmir which has developed and spread the mental health issues among the youth of Kashmir. Almost every person suffers from anxiety. To tackle which, Kashmir servers’ foundation tries to engage them with sports and also facilitate them with mental health education.
Q18: What role does the Kashmir servers Foundation play in promoting cultural heritage, arts, and crafts of Kashmir, and preserving the regions rich traditions?
Answer: Kashmir Servers Foundation conducts the events at the places which are culturally and environmentally rich to help people explore the tourism potential and extend the prominence of tourist places. Further, Kashmir Servers Foundation celebrates the programs highlighting the importance of cultural ethos, traditional richness and cultural heritage of Kashmir. In addition to this Kashmir Servers Foundation makes the fair use of electronic media and social media to voice about it and promote it.
Q19: Can you share any future plans or visions of Kashmir servers Foundation that our audience should look forward to?
Answer: With Almighty Allah’s help and help of you all I wish & believe that KSF would be able to break the chain of poverty in Kashmir, I wish to be successful in making the sustainable development of my society and a progressive and youthful nation with zero abuse and crimes. I wish that our people do not need to ask for alms and fund raising rather they are able to generate employment for others as well along with them.
Q20: What are your long-term goals and aspirations as the chairperson of the Kashmir servers Foundation, and how do you envision the future impact of the organization?
Answer: Kashmir Server Foundation envisions to meet the aim of Sustainable Development, a poverty free Jammu and Kashmir, a peaceful and a youthful Jammu and Kashmir.
As I see presently the impact of Kashmir Servers Foundation on the youth of Kashmir and how they are aspired of its work, I can see a bright and Insha-Allah, I can hope of a more progressive and socio friendly Kashmir Servers Foundation in future which would not only work for the under-privileged people but would also be able to create employment for its members who have entrusted their trust to KSF.
Q21: Finally, what message and advice would you like to convey to individuals and organizations who are passionate about making a positive difference in their communities?
Answer: To the people out there I would personally like to advice rather request that please believe in your-self, be peace- loving, determined and never stop learning. Be kind to your-self and God’s beautiful creation that we are surrounded with.
We as humans are entrusted with divine social responsibilities that we need to realize and fulfill. There are obstructions in every honest and a like-minded job that one aspires to pursue but it is never impossible/futile to be honest and hardworking though difficult. To overcome the hurdles by setting examples of strong will-power and valor is worth the struggle. Moreover, we all must remember that success has no short cuts. Even if you attain it by a short-cut, it does not have sustainability.
To the passionate social welfare organizations out there, please be people friendly; bridge the gap of trust between people and organizations. Be honest and please create the professional platforms for the youth who are passionate and help them to learn and explore to change the mundane work- culture around us.