500 Friends

500 Friends A WA charity working to relieve poverty in rural Pakistan. We have ACNC registration. ABN: 8834 1350 663
https://www.abr.business.gov.au/ABN/View/88341350663

The floor is finished, the wall rendering is underway, and the toilet plumbing is done- not much longer and Farooq and A...
06/06/2026

The floor is finished, the wall rendering is underway, and the toilet plumbing is done- not much longer and Farooq and Amina can move in.

Amina and Farooq are camped outside as their new room is built. Understandably, they are keen for the work to be done as...
02/06/2026

Amina and Farooq are camped outside as their new room is built. Understandably, they are keen for the work to be done as quickly as possible, so the family can move inside.

Today, we received these pictures Amina and her oldest son pitching in to work on the flooring- which is made of crushed brick, sand and cement. This has to be carted, levelled and compacted. It is hard work in the heat.

The final stage will be the rendering of the walls and floor, and once dry, the family can move in. This will be a great relief, now that the summer heat is seting in.

While they are working on the room, the toilet construction is continuing at a rapid pace.

Great progress is being made on the room for Farooq and Amina. The walls  are up, the roof is finished, and the toilet h...
31/05/2026

Great progress is being made on the room for Farooq and Amina. The walls are up, the roof is finished, and the toilet has been started!

Once the wall rendering and floor is done they will be able to move back in.

Work is progressing well for Farooq and Amina- the water pump is installed,  and the walls are nearly up with the door a...
26/05/2026

Work is progressing well for Farooq and Amina- the water pump is installed, and the walls are nearly up with the door and window in place. Next stage is the roof.
If all goes well, they may have their room, and a fan before the worst of the summer heat arrives.

Imagine living in this tiny single shelter- only 3 walls  and a curtain at the front for any privacy. Water is obtained ...
22/05/2026

Imagine living in this tiny single shelter- only 3 walls and a curtain at the front for any privacy. Water is obtained from kind neighbours, and there are no toilet facilities.

Farooq and Amina live here, with their two children.
Farooq is a brick kiln worker- hard physical work for very low pay. He now suffers with a chronic lung condition, which prevents him from working the long hours needed to make the bare minimum of income needed. So his son has left school and now also works making bricks.

They have sought our help to provide a sound, safe room with a toilet, and this week the work has begun. Their existing shelter will be demolished, and they will sleep in the open, or with neighbours if it rains, until the new room is built.

Obviously, there is some urgency to have this room built quickly, and Anosh has asked the builders to do the best they can. It will be a great relief to them to finally have a simple single room dwelling-with four walls -which is weatherproof and able to be locked.
Once this is achieved, we will build the toilet.

We 'll keep everyone updated as the work progresses.

Every year, the children in our Education Project receive a schoolbag with books and stationery for the new school year ...
19/05/2026

Every year, the children in our Education Project receive a schoolbag with books and stationery for the new school year just starting.

Our cohort changes- some families move to better work opportunities. Some children reach the end of grade school, and move to work or further college education. Some parents also ask us to give the help to other families, because they have been able to get better work, and no longer need our help. That is always heartening, because none of the village families we help are comfortably off.

So, six years on, we find we have in influx of new kids and new families- all of whom place education high on their list of needs.

It is our privilege to be able to support them. The pictures below are just some of the 25 kids- new, and old, with their new backpacks with school supplies. As usual, we cover family names, for privacy protection. Thanks to Anosh for getting everything gathered, sorted and delivered.

A motorbike accident on a trip to the markets put this family in a difficult situation. Barkat was working as a courier ...
11/05/2026

A motorbike accident on a trip to the markets put this family in a difficult situation. Barkat was working as a courier in the city, but with his hand injured and his motorbike wrecked, he could not work.
His employer gave him a month of unpaid leave, and Barkat, his wife and little son sought medical treatment. Barkat then took his family back to his home village where family took them in to give temporary help until they recovered from their injuries. However the loss of the motorbike was a serious problem, as it was Barkat's means of earning.

When we learned of the situation, we arranged a replacement second hand bike, and helmet, as well as a food parcel to help the family through until Barkat began earning again.

It was good to hear that they have been able to return to their home, and are recovering well. Barkat is back at work.

Things are going well for Steve. He is getting plenty of work in his new workshop, repairing refrigerators. He has also ...
27/04/2026

Things are going well for Steve. He is getting plenty of work in his new workshop, repairing refrigerators. He has also begun to teach some skills to one of the local young men who has been working in the brick kiln.

We have also given Steve a second hand motorbike, so that he can collect parts and travel to jobs more quickly.

Thanks to Anosh for arranging all this so quickly.

This week, we were able to provide two men , Adnam and Naeem, with a second hand motorbike. A simple enough item, but on...
16/04/2026

This week, we were able to provide two men , Adnam and Naeem, with a second hand motorbike. A simple enough item, but one that makes a huge difference for them.
Both men have dependent family members, including parents and younger siblings. Both work in low paid jobs where they are paid by the hour. A one hour journey each way means 10- 12 hours each week of walking, instead of working. The bike is the equivalent of an extra day's pay - every week.

As well as that, it means other jobs, further afield, with better pay or conditions become possible. Sick family members can be taken for medical help.

We can't solve all the difficulties that families face, but cheap, reliable transport will make a big difference. The broad smiles tell the story.

Address

Northam, WA

Telephone

+61410325027

Website

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