The Frontier Association for the Mentally Handicapped (FAMH) is a non-governmental, non profit making organization. It was established at Mangal Bagh, Mardan (Pakistan) on the 5th of May, 1981 and dedicated to the welfare of mentally and physically handicapped children of Mardan city and its suburbs. It caters to the needs of special children with defects including but not limited to speech, hearing and visual problems.
A handicapped child being helped by the teacher
The Association has been a major contributor to the social welfare of the people of the area and has been a source of hope for handicapped children / people. In a society where people with disabilities are considered a burden on the family and completely isolated from the social arena, FAMH has taught these otherwise neglected people, to lead respectable lives and in certain cases, even earn a living for the family. Its beneficiaries are mostly from the poor and down trodden segment of the society, ranging from children of daily wage workers to cobblers & hawkers. FAMH not only aims at teaching these children basic etiquette, hygiene and communication with the outside world, but also imparts elementary education. No fee is charged from any pupil and all are given free school uniforms including shoes for a limited number of children.
The premises for the school have been provided rent-free by the General Secretary of the Association, Dr. Qazi Hameedullah. The facilities, which comprise of a few rooms and a couple of bathrooms, only meet the basic needs of the enrolled children. These cannot accommodate more children than the current strength and also require immediate up-gradation. As a result, the Association is planning to re-locate and construct a purpose-built facility. Land for the same facility has already been purchased and plans have been developed for the re-location / construction.
