News
Children's Benefit Concert 2011
17 Mar, 2011
Karachi, March 17: Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF) organized its 11th Annual “Children’s Benefit Concert” on March 17th at the PAF Museum grounds. 5,000 underprivileged and special needs children from 65 institutions and schools in Karachi were the VIP guests.
The goal of this yearly event is to provide a memorable experience for children who do not otherwise have such opportunities. It also creates an inclusive situation as children who are “differently-abled” mingle with mainstream children.
The event began with MTV’s Faizan, the concert compere, informing the audience that special guest artists would perform, yet their identity would be a secret until they came on stage, keeping the children in eager anticipation to see who it would be!
The 3 hour concert began with the international show team, HeartBeat!, who had the crowd moving with their lively English and local language numbers. Then Shazia Khushk and her entire show troupe, with musicians, dancers, and fire-breathers took the stage! No one sat still as her famous song “Dana Ba Dana” echoed through the venue! Najam Sheraz and his live band closed the show, singing his famous hit songs and mixing with the crowd to sing and dance with the children.
A highlight of the event occurred when 15 students from Deaf Reach School, run by FESF, amazed the audience with their dance performance on stage of the well known hit “Taare Zameen Par.” Although totally deaf, they danced in perfect rhythm to the music, giving a heart touching interpretation of the song.
Over 100 volunteers from local high schools, colleges and universities worked tirelessly alongside FESF staff to serve the children complimentary snacks, cold drinks and ice-cream during the concert. Upon leaving, each child received a beautiful gift bag full of a variety of stationary and clothing items, as well as a healthy boxed lunch!
It is noteworthy to mention that in spite of the large numbers, the whole event was very well organized, beginning and ending on time, and with all the children being seated, served and cared for in an orderly fashion. Title sponsor, The National Bank of Pakistan, and co-sponsors, Makro, and Airlift Int’l, and many other corporate entities all contributed to make the occasion a huge success.