WHO WE ARE

Opportunity needs someone who stays

Ek Qadam combines access to education, coverage of educational and related expenses, and long-term mentorship for children from orphanages in Pakistan
A mentor and two boys walking toward a cadet college through an origami doorway
OUR APPROACH

Education and someone who stays

Ek Qadam works with orphanages to identify children who have done well in school, prepare them for cadet college entrance exams, and cover their fees and expenses once they are admitted

Each child is also matched with a mentor family who stays involved in their life for years

A mentor supporting a student studying for cadet college
A student crossing an unfinished origami path as supportive hands place the next step
WHY THIS STARTED

Capable children were reaching the end of school with nobody to prepare the next step

Usman Bashir and his family started Ek Qadam after seeing how many capable children in Pakistan’s orphanages finished school with nobody to help them prepare for a competitive admission test or plan for the years after it

They decided to build that support as a proper program, with teachers, funding and mentors all working together

THE PROBLEM WE WANT TO SOLVE

Potential needs more than a place to begin

Across Pakistan, many children in orphanages are bright enough to earn a place at a good cadet college. Getting there takes serious preparation and money for fees, and it helps enormously to have an adult checking on their progress

Most orphan care programs do good work providing food, shelter and basic schooling. Far fewer help a child compete for a cadet college place, and fewer still stay involved after the admission letter arrives

A student progressing across an origami bridge with educational and mentor support
HOW EK QADAM WORKS

One path, four careful steps

Every child follows the same path, from the first conversation with their orphanage to the day they walk into a cadet college
Origami doorway representing Ek Qadam's partnership with orphanages
STEP 1

We partner with orphanages

Orphanages nominate children ready for a bigger challenge
Origami student record representing Ek Qadam's student selection
STEP 2

We select the students

School record, behaviour and circumstances guide every choice
Origami books and clock representing entrance test preparation
STEP 3

We prepare them for the entrance test

Intensive preparation comes before the entrance exam
Origami mentor and student representing support after admission
STEP 4

We stay with them after admission

Fees, expenses and a mentor family continue after admission
WHY MENTORS ARE AT THE CENTRE

Education opens the door A mentor walks beside them

Paying for a child’s education matters, but a child also needs adults who care how the term is going

Mentors follow grades and homework, spend time with the children during school breaks, and build relationships we hope last well beyond graduation

Mentor screening, training and matching procedures are being finalised and will be published once settled

Two children to each mentor · Progress followed throughout the term · Time together during school breaks
Become a mentor →
A woman mentor reviewing a progress map with two Ek Qadam students